Car Dealer Scams
Dealers Don't Want You to Watch

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VIDEO  [30]	DATE
Bill Exempts Auto Dealers From Agency Oversight COMMENT:  Consumer advocates say the exemption means car buyers won't be protected against abusive loans. Thanks www.NPR.org for this clip.	Dec 09, 2009
Attorney General Highlights General Rules for Buying a Used Car COMMENT:  SPRINGFIELD, MO - A used car dealership in Springfield is one of seven across the state that are accused of taking advantage of customers. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster says Supercars, Incorporated, which operates at a business on St. Louis Street, violated laws that govern used car sales.	Nov 19, 2009
Scammers offer fake refunds on car services COMMENT:  PORTLAND, OR - Here's a warning about a new way scammers are going after your credit card information - by getting it directly from you. The last time you went to get your car serviced it probably cost you a chunk of money. This new scam banks on the notion that those getting their car serviced would love to get some of that money back. Thanks katu.com for this report.	Nov 14, 2009
Woman Says Dealer Failed to Give Tags to Two Vehicles COMMENT:  COLUMBIA, SC - A Midlands woman is accusing a car dealer of failing to deliver titles to not one, but two vehicles she took ownership of. Thanks www.wltx.com for this report.	Oct 29, 2009
On Your Side: No Car Tags from Dealer? COMMENT:  COLUMBIA, SC - Some customers accuse Champ Auto Sales of failing to register their purchased vehicles. The DMV has so far submitted 5 complaints to SLED for investigation. Thanks www.wltx.com for this news report.	Sep 29, 2009
Investigator Exclusive: Complaints piling up against local auto dealer COMMENT:  ALLIANCE, OH - The Ohio Attorney General's office says it has received 277 consumer complaints against Courtesy Autoworld and Courtesy Kia of Alliance. Many of the complaints involve failure to pay off traded-in vehicles and failure to deliver certificates of title on time to obtain license plates. Clip courtesy www.wkyc.com.	Aug 06, 2009
Stuart car dealership odometer fraud COMMENT:  STUART, FL - Martin County Sheriff's Office detectives have announced the arrest of a Stuart used car dealership operator and mechanic on fraud charges. According to detectives, Plottys Discount Motors on NW 16th Place was being investigated during the month of July after detectives received a complaint from a citizen on odometer fraud. Thanks www.wptv.com for sharing this clip.	Jul 23, 2009
Authorities raid Hecker offices, homes COMMENT:  MINNEAPOLIS, MN - With Denny Hecker's businesses unraveling and complaints from car buyers mounting, authorities raided his headquarters, dealerships and three homes. Law enforcement agencies raided Denny Hecker's homes and businesses Wednesday as customer complaints mount against the embattled car dealer. Thanks www.startribune.com for this report.	Jun 17, 2009
Woman Says Beware Car Broker Scam COMMENT:  WARREN, MI - A warning about a scam artist posing as a car broker. The phony broker took a woman for over a thousand dollars in cash. Ms G. was in the market for a new car. She heard from a man who called himself James. He called and he introduced himself as a car broker, saying that... he had the ability to get... everything from customer rebates to pre-paid leases, she said. Clip from www.myfoxdetroit.com.	May 27, 2009
Buyer Ripped Off After Car Dealership Flops COMMENT:  SACRAMENTO, CA - Consumer groups warned that with more and more car dealers going out of business car buyers need greater protection from being ripped off. Consumer advocates claim thousands of car buyers in California are falling victim to failing dealerships. Clip courtesy www.kcra.com.	May 24, 2009
Woman Promised Car Part In Writing; Couldn't Get It COMMENT:  CHARLOTTE, NC - A Charlotte woman bought a used car and did all the right things to protect herself, but still ran into trouble. The car dealer promised her a part, but she said she never got it. The lady called the local TV station for help. Of course when face with bad publicity, the dealer installed the part.Clip courtesy www.wsoctv.com.	Apr 28, 2009
Car dealer closes, leaves many without titles COMMENT:  MADISONVILLE, KY - Browning Chevrolet shut its doors, and owner Bruce Browning turned over his keys to Fifth Third Bank, county officials said, leaving hundreds of customers without titles and other paperwork for their vehicles. Clip courtesy www.14wfie.com.	Apr 24, 2009
Michigan GM dealership employees get into fight COMMENT:  WAYLAND Twp., MI - Perhaps a clear sign of the times in western Michigan as tempers flared at a GM dealership, closing its doors Friday. News crews just happen to be near the Wayland Chevrolet when one of the employees went after another one he said was going nuts after learning he was jobless. The anger of losing their jobs boiled over into at least two fist fights at the lot. Thanks www.ksla.com for this clip.	Mar 28, 2009
AG: Car Dealership Involved In Ponzi Scheme COMMENT:  ALBUQUERQUE, NM - An Albuquerque car dealership is accused of taking advantage of its customers. The New Mexico Attorney General's Office is calling deals Zangara Dodge made part of a Ponzi scheme. The Zangara lot is empty now, but only a few months ago it was full and what seemed like great deals attracted people here to buy cars. It was a regretful buy for a lot of people. Thanks www.koat.com for this clip.	Mar 26, 2009
Car dealer accused of inappropriate touching COMMENT:  WESTPORT, MA - A Westport used car dealer was arrested for allegedly touching female customers inappropriately. On Tuesday, a fourth victim came forward to police, claiming that the man touched her on at least three occasions in the past couple of weeks. He also allegedly threatened to repossess her vehicle if she reported the incidents. Thanks www.turnto10.com for this clip.	Mar 25, 2009
Help Me Howard: Car Dealer Doesn't Return Customer's Money COMMENT:  LONG ISLAND, NY - A Long Island man went to a Queens car dealer to buy a used car in January. He ended up paying $30,000 in cash, then just days later he found out the car had been in a prior accident, so he went back to confront the dealer. That's when the dealer took back the car, kicked the customer off his property and refused to return his money. Thanks www.wpix.com/helpmehoward for this clip.	Mar 20, 2009
Salvaged for Sale: Know What You're Buying COMMENT:  WICHITA,, KS - Shopping for a used car can require a little archaeology, as we found out in a recent investigation. Without enough information it's difficult for a buyer to know if he's getting a gem or a clunker. Even a Kansas Highway Patrolman can be fooled. Thanks www.kwch.com for this clip.	Mar 16, 2009
Man is accused of killing his co-worker with a sucker punch COMMENT:  SHREVEPORT, LA - Shreveport police are investigating a homicide involving two employees at a Shreveport car dealership. Robert Hall III is dead and 39-year-old Carlton Church of Benton, La. is being charged by Shreveport Police for the crime. Both Hall and Church worked at Shreveport's Chevyland car dealership on Youree Drive. Back on February 24, 2009, medics responded to the business and transported Hall to Willis Knighton Pierremont for treatment of a head injury. Hall died March 3. Halls father, Robert Hall II says, his son tapped Church on the shoulder and that's when Church punched him in the face. He says his son fell backwards hitting his head on the ground. Thanks www.ksla.com for this clip.	Mar 06, 2009
Investigator: Auto dealer charged with withholding titles from car buyers COMMENT:  ALLIANCE, OH - A Northeast Ohio car dealer is headed to court, after failing to provide titles to customers. The city prosecutor has charged Courtesy Autoworld in Alliance with five counts of not providing a title to car buyers, a misdemeanor. State law says a buyer must receive a title within 40 days. Courtesy has pleaded not guilty. Customers say the auto dealer has not been living up to its name. More than 100 customers have filed complaints with the Ohio Attorney General's office, most over titles. The Better Business Bureau has received dozens of similar complaints, too. It gives the company an F rating and recently pulled its accreditation. Thanks www.wkyc.com for this clip.	Feb 19, 2009
Used car dealer: "I'm not a criminal" COMMENT:  SPRINGFIELD, MA - A Springfield used car dealer, arrested this week on larceny charges, says he's not a criminal. Since we first broke this story Tuesday the Springfield Police Department has been inundated with customers unhappy with Good Deal Auto. Thanks www.wwlp.com for this clip.	Feb 19, 2009
When dealerships close, what happens to customers' warranties? COMMENT:  HEMPSTEAD, TX - When the Lawrence Marshall car dealership in Hempstead shut its doors last week, it left many without a job. But what about the people who put a down payment on a car or had a warranty there? Thanks www.khou.com for this clip.	Feb 13, 2009
Soldier Ripped Off By Local Car Lot COMMENT:  MOBILE, AL - A military family living in Mobile contacted News 5 for help. They say they were ripped off by a local car lot and want their money back. They're moving to Fort Hood, Texas next week and need every penny they can get. When the Army called Specialist Maurice O. with new orders to move to Texas, his family started packing. One of the loose ends they needed to tie up was with a car lot called Capital Auto Sales in Prichard. Thanks www.wkrg.com for this clip.	Feb 13, 2009
Dealership Owner Arrested For Selling Drugs COMMENT:  MT. PLEASANT, MI - After a two-month investigation, a Mt. Pleasant used car dealership owner is under arrest, accused of selling drugs at his dealership. Doyle F. is charged with more than a dozen felonies. Undercover officers said they bought cocaine from him at his west M-20 dealership and his home. The Bay Area Narcotics enforcement team arrested Doyle and two others earlier this week. Thanks www.wnem.com for this clip.	Feb 06, 2009
West Palm Beach Car Salesman Charged With Fraud, Theft COMMENT:  WEST PALM BEACH, FL - When mysterious people began hanging around the Palm Beach Pre-Owned car dealership in August, something didn't seem right. "So the manager got suspicious and cornered some of the people outside, said, 'Hey, you've been here four or five times. What seems to be the problem?'" said dealership owner Stephen Lavine. Lavine said at first the people didn't want to say, but then pointed to one of the salesmen: Jonathan Green. "Little by little, they would come in and say they had given Jonathan deposits off the premises of the dealership, which we don't allow, and it started to unravel for Jonathan." Thanks www.wpbf.com for the clip.	Jan 29, 2009
Local Auto Dealership Under Investigation for Failing to Give Titles COMMENT:  SAINT GEORGE, UT - The Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division has begun investigating a used car dealership in Saint George, and the Leasing organization they work with. Colonial Auto was shut down in December because customers never received titles to their car. Investigators think it could be due to the fact that the Dealership never paid them off in the first place. Thanks www.kcsg.com for this clip.	Jan 28, 2009
Suspect named in car dealership fraud COMMENT:  IDAHO FALLS, ID - The Bonneville County Prosecutor's Office is formally charging Brady P. with 3 counts of fraud. Mr P. could serve up to 5 years in prison on each charge. Mr P. used to sell cars at Yellowstone Country Truck and Auto. A Rigby man alleges Mr P. sold him two cars from that dealership and did not follow through on contract negotiations. Thanks www.kidk.com for this clip.	Jan 28, 2009
New Jersey Car Dealership Under Fire COMMENT:  BERLIN, NJ - One by one, cars, trucks and SUV's are being loaded up and hauled off the lot at the Chevy 73 car dealership in Berlin, New Jersey. Several months, if not two solid years of consumer complaints about alleged deceptive and dishonest practices have apparently caught up with Chevy 73. Car carrier employees say they were ordered to take each and every vehicle, old and new. The cars are bound for a Pennsylvania car auction, near Lancaster. CBS3, www.cbs3.com, provides this clip.	Jan 26, 2009
Man accused of embezzling from car dealership COMMENT:  ALBUQUERQUE, NM - A financial manager at Southwest Hyundai in Albuquerque is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the company. James P. appeared in front of a judge Sunday at Metro Court. Police say James managed to steal a car and more than $25,000 in down payments between August and October 2008. The dealership realized what was happening when the money paid by customers was never deposited. Police said James pretended to buy the stolen car, but never paid for it. This clip thanks to www.kob.com.	Jan 19, 2009
Criminal Charges Pending on Staff at Former Auto Dealership COMMENT:  POCATELLO, ID - Would you be willing to keep making payments for a car you no longer own? That's the problem one man is facing and he's not alone. There are multiple customers out there just like him who are also victims. For the past year, a criminal investigation has been underway by the Idaho Transportation Department and the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office. Investigators are looking into a now out of business auto dealership and how they did business. The Bonneville County Prosecutor's Office is trying to decide whether it's simply bad business dealings or criminal intent. Sources say those being investigated could face criminal charges any day now. While the details of the investigation are not being fully disclosed, we found one man who wants others to know what he's been through.Thanks www.kpvi.com for this clip.	Jan 14, 2009
Former car salesman accused of scamming customers COMMENT:  CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO - A former car salesman faces charges after he's accused of ripping off clients. Police arrested 48-year-old Aaron E. of Bertrand in Mississippi County. He's charged with three counts of stealing by deceit for taking money from customers by lying to them about promotional offers at Auffenberg Chrysler in Cape Girardeau. Thanks www.kfvs12.com for this clip.	Jan 09, 2009

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