Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) investigators are alerting Californians, including those in Santa Clarita, on the recent rise in fraudulent vehicle sales online, and are offering tips on how to not become the next victim.
Using sites such as Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp, the criminals are advertising “discounted” vehicles after altering the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and creating fraudulent pink slips, according to DMV officials.
The shortage of new vehicles for sale is believed to have fueled this specific type of crime by making customers willing to pay more for a used car, DMV officials said.
“With an increase in stolen vehicles being sold online, we are reminding consumers that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon.
Criminals reportedly have taken advantage of the current shortage of new vehicles for sale by selling stolen vehicles online.
The California DMV aims to educate the general public on a variety of steps to take in order to avoid being sold a fraudulent vehicle.
The recommended steps include:
- Obtain an online VIN history report or ask the seller to provide you with a report and compare the information to the vehicle being offered for sale
- Compare the name of the owner on the title (pink slip) to the name of the seller
- Insist on meeting the seller at a local DMV field office to complete the sale and vehicle transfer
- Meet at a local law enforcement location to verify the vehicle before the transaction
- As with all sales, buyers should take note of the seller’s car and attempt to confirm their identity
Santa Clarita residents are recommended to be on the lookout for unscrupulous used car sellers who are luring unsuspecting consumers into buying stolen vehicles online. The DMV also reminds customers that legitimate title transfers and many other DMV activities can be accomplished online.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to newstip@hometownstation.com. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
No comments:
Post a Comment