When parking your car at a lot or garage, be wary of the parking attendant asking you for money because they may not really work there and your car could be towed away. Parking your car can be an expensive affair. They get you when parking near the stadium for a ball game, in garages […]
Car Scams
Auto dealerships scams, insurance fraud, car repair ripoffs, salvaged vehicles, towing scams, odometer rollback, curbstoning and car title loans are fleecing consumers that just want an honest deal when purchasing or caring for their cars.
While most car dealerships are honest there are more than a few that will try and trick you into paying more for your car than it's worth or into financing your auto loan at a higher interest rate than you could.
Some of these tread the line between trickery and outright fraud.
A new car is one of the most expensive and important purchases a consumer can make and they are expensive enough without dishonest auto dealers making you pay even more.
Get the Lowdown on Dealership Scams
These pages detail some of the the most common car dealership scams such as "Yo Yo Financing" (AKA Spot Delivery) or the ever-popular Prep Fee Scam.
We also have advice and tips our advice on how to avoid these scams. We also take a hard look at some of the auto insurance scams and the practices of the auto insurance companies. You will be shocked to find out some of the methods insurers have developed to scam consumers.
A New Car Scam Every Day
Or at least it seems that way sometimes. Every time they add a new feature to cars, a scam appears to take advantage of it. Airbags are a great example. I can't wait to see what the scammers dream up for in-dash GPS systems! We'll deal with that when the day comes.
There are plenty of ripoffs to talk about in the present. For example, we have car repair and towing scams to worry about.
We all accept that getting our cars repaired is going to be costly, but who wants insult added to injury by getting scammed in the process? I don't and I bet you don't either. That's why knowing the tricks scammers use is so important.
The list of car scams is a big one and growing larger every day. Cars and the services necessary to operate them are expensive and wherever money is involved you will find a con artist waiting to take your money.
Knowledge is Power
Some think driving a car is risky, but you'll soon discover that purchasing, repairing and insuring your vehicle can be equally dangerous. Cars are expensive to purchase, care for or insure and shysters have come up with many ways to divert your auto budget to their wallets. It's what they do and they're really good at it.
Even so, all is not lost. If you learn some of the tricks used by con artists your chances of being tricked in the dealer showroom, insurance agent's office or at the repair shop are reduced considerably.
Lemon Laws by State
Visit our Lemon Laws section for information about Lemon Laws in your state. You mat have been tricked into driving a lemon home, but in many cases the law is on your side and enable you to fight back.
If you want to find out more about Lemon Laws and how they protect you, start with a visit to our Lemon Law Resources section. Inside you'll find the text of the law itself and many layman explanations of these codes, rules and regulations for all 50 states and the Districtof Columbia.
Odometer Rollback Scams
Rolling back a car’s odometer can inflate the resale value of a high-mileage vehicle and increase repair costs down the road. Anyone buying a car checks the odometer because a vehicle’s mileage affects its value. The higher the mileage is the less you pay and vice versa. This makes tampering with the odometer very tempting […]
Gas-Saving Scams and Tips
Gas Saving Devices Many consumers have purchased gas-saving devices in the hopes of saving money at the pump, but how do you know which, if any, actually work? Thanks to the high price of gas and the desire everyone has to save money at the pump, a number of devices have appeared on the market […]
Curbstoning Scams
Cubstoners are trying to get around the law by selling their cars on the street by pretending to be private sellers Curbstoning is the practice of auto dealers masquerading as private parties when selling their cars. Curbstoning car dealers use the practice as a way to sell inferior cars to unsuspecting consumers. There is probably […]
Car Leasing Scams
Make sure you read the fine print before you sign that car lease because what you find there could surprise youLeasing a car may not be in your best interest; however, auto dealers don’t want you to know that. They frequently employ tricky maneuvers to tempt you to lease rather than purchase. It’s important to […]
Car Insurance Referral Scams
Paying for referrals makes auto related services more expensive when business owners raise rates to cover this hidden fee which leads to higher car insurance premiums. As the holder of an auto insurance policy, you share something special with every other policy holder – when one of you becomes the victim of an auto insurance […]
Car Insurance Company Practices
The repair shop rip-off takes a new twist as insurers cut costs by openening their own car repair businesseses. Insurance companies have started buying or investing in car repair businesses about three years ago. Insurance companies owning a car repair facilities can result in the consumer receiving bad service and inferior replacement parts. Many people […]
Car Insurance Accident Scams
Many car accidents are just insurance scams that consumers end up paying for through higher premiums. You’re driving down the street or a highway or freeway and are suddenly involved in an accident. Not just any accident, but a carefully orchestrated and scripted accident where you become the victim of a scheme to dupe your […]
Car Dealership Scams
Auto Dealer Loan Kickbacks Unscrupulous car dealerships can’t wait to pick your pocket One of the auto industry’s dirty little tricks is the practice of lenders giving kickbacks to dealers for charging high interest rates for the car loans. A good example of this would be when a buyer has been qualified for an 8% […]
Water Damaged Cars
Beware of Water Damaged Cars Flooding the Market! Don’t get soaked by buying a salvaged flood car because hidden water damage can leave unseen safety hazards. The Better Business Bureau is warning people not to purchase water damaged vehicles or “flood cars” which are sure to hit the market soon if they haven’t already. Have […]