How Scammers Are Creating Fake Car Titles: Exposing the Fraud
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- Car title scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
- Be cautious when purchasing a used vehicle from private sellers, especially on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook.
- Scammers are using new techniques to resell the same vehicle multiple times, collecting money from different buyers without facing consequences.
Case Example:
- A scammer listed a vehicle on Facebook Marketplace.
- The victim, from Colorado, flew to Houston to meet the seller, receive the title, and pay cash for the truck.
- The victim noticed something was off when trying to transfer the title at the Colorado DMV.
- The VIN number matched the title, but a detective discovered the title had been “washed” (chemically altered) and was originally for a different vehicle.
- The vehicle sold was a parts-only truck from a recovered theft and couldn’t be titled.
- A hidden tracking device was found on the vehicle, allowing the scammer to track and repossess the vehicle, reselling it multiple times.
Important Tips to Avoid Car Title Scams:
- Always do due diligence before purchasing any used vehicle:
- Have the title checked by the DMV.
- Request a police inspection of the vehicle in person (if possible).
- Avoid buying if the seller promises to send the title later or offers only a bill of sale.
- Insist on receiving the legitimate title at the time of purchase.
- If you’re not getting the title immediately, don’t proceed with the purchase.
- Even if a title is provided, it could still be problematic:
- The vehicle might be stolen or have an outstanding lien.
- VIN-check services like Carfax aren’t foolproof; always cross-check with three government sources (DMV, police, and NMVTIS).
Additional Resources:
- For guidance on obtaining a title or dealing with title issues, visit cartitles.com for consultation and title services.
- Stay aware of car title scams to protect yourself from losing significant amounts of money.
Reminder:
- Take extra steps to verify the legitimacy of the title and vehicle before completing any transaction. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to walk away and look for another car.
