How to report dealer fraud?

jocatch · 09-18-2009, 07:39 PM

One of the cars I was looking at back in July was a new 2010 black GT with about 250 miles on it. I was going to buy it until I saw the milage. I have the VIN of that car. The dealer's web site showed photos of the car including the odometer showing 250+ miles.

Today I went to the same dealer's website and he has the same car (same VIN) listed as 12 miles, even showing a photo of the odometer. What has me concerned is I bought my GT from this same dealer.

I did a search on the net on how to report dealer fraud and got about a million useless hits. Anyone have an idea on how to report this guy?

Joe

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Art161 · 09-18-2009, 07:46 PM

I don't know whether there is fraud here. Could be a typo on the web site.

Anyway, have you checked with the DMV?

PHX8839 · 09-18-2009, 07:48 PM

I think your best bet would be to contact whatever law enforcement agency covers that area. Ask to speak to a detective in either auto theft or fraud. They may have prior history with the dealer or on ongoing case.

Orion_240 · 09-18-2009, 10:03 PM

It could have been the wrong photo, a typo, or something else.
I wouldn't put too much stock in anything you see on the Internet. Go see it in person.

But why would he still have the same new car on the lot? Is it that slow where you are? The 2010's here are selling very quickly.

dominant1 · 09-18-2009, 10:34 PM

The question is if it doesn't effect you directly, what do you get out if it by blowing the whistle? your only talking about 1 car right?

SMiller · 09-19-2009, 12:08 AM

What proof do you have? It's not about what you know, it's about what you can prove. Sorry man. Have you even seen any of this in person or just on-line? If its on-line I am sure it is just a typo.

SMiller · 09-19-2009, 03:14 AM

If this is for real you can be sure they have done it to a lot more vehicles then just this one mustang, start writing things down and taking pictures, start talking to the right people and bring the hurt to these guys!

ThisBlood147 · 09-19-2009, 10:38 AM

Unless you were buying the car thru the internet I don't think you can count that as fraud. Obviously anyone who goes to drive the car will see just how many miles it has on it and will be well informed before they start any paperwork. Besides, the car may have picked up that many miles in test drives since the picture was posted. At worst, it's shady advertising......but definitely not fraud.

pascal · 09-19-2009, 11:18 AM

Tempering with odometer readings is a Federal offense.
Assuming it's the very same car, if you can prove that the dealer did this, they're in big doodoo.
Chances are, you won't be able to unless someone with authority can testify that this particular car had 250 miles on it at one time and that said person seen it for him/herself.

It prolly was a Demo car that is trying to be sold as brand new...

jocatch · 09-19-2009, 12:00 PM

Look, it is the same car because I was going to buy it. The VIN numbers match. The dealer had photos online of the car showing 250+ miles in July. Both the photos and the text writeup on the site showed 250+. I may still have the original photos on my home computer for when I thought I was going to buy that one. That is the car I was going to buy and the dealer talked me into it's twin, the one I actually bought, because "it has 250 miles and was driven by the owner". Now the site shows BOTH a photo and text saying 12. And all the other dozen or so photos are the same exact ones as before. I bet he figured it will be alot harder to sell a new car with 250 miles so backup the milage.

It is illegal. The car now may have way more than the 250. If you look at a new car, you can't tell the difference between 12 miles and 500 miles unless you suspect something. When I picked up my car it was pouring rain, I tried to look it over good but not as good as I wanted. It was OK and it had 50 miles (according to the dealer, now I am not sure).

And if he does it with one, he does it with others too. Its no skin off my nose, I just want to help others. This is the guy in Pittsbugh, I live in NY. I will never see this guy again.

Joe