Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What You Should Know About Used Car Fraud
Purchasing a vehicle, whether used or new, is a major investment that consumers should not take lightly. Unfortunately, even buyers who conduct extensive research, test drive a number of vehicles, and ask independent mechanics to conduct inspections of vehicles in which they are interested, could end up being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous… Read More »
Should I Buy a Used Rental Car?
Purchasing a used car is one way that consumers can get the best value for their money, so it is not uncommon for those who are looking for a vehicle to gravitate towards local used car dealerships when car shopping. While there are a number of different types of used vehicles that could fulfill… Read More »
What to Look Out For When Shopping Online for a Used Car
While many of us who decide to purchase a used car, do so by going to a local used car dealership, it is becoming more and more common for consumers to shop for this type of vehicle online. For the most part, the internet has brought positive changes to the process of used car… Read More »
What is VIN Cloning?
There are thousands of honest used car dealers who take great care to ensure that all of their vehicles are safe, undamaged, and fairly priced. Unfortunately, there are also more unscrupulous sellers who used underhanded practices when selling used vehicles. For instance, some dealerships may go so far as to place a different Vehicle… Read More »
Claims Filed Against Pennsylvania Used Car Dealers for Using Deceptive Advertising Practices
Two years ago, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office established its own Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unit and charged it with investigating violations of the state’s unfair and deceptive practices laws. Recently, investigations into auto dealer advertising fraud culminated in the filing of claims against more than 20 dealers who were charged with violating both… Read More »
Signs that You May Have a Cracked Engine Block
Used car buyers are protected under Pennsylvania law from purchasing a vehicle with certain problems, such as a damaged transmission, a bent or broken frame, or a cracked engine block. Unfortunately, despite the existence and enforcement of these rules, many used car dealers continue to sell defective vehicles to unsuspecting consumers, which can have… Read More »
Collecting Compensation for Auto Dealer Fraud
Used car dealer fraud occurs when a dealership attempts to take advantage of consumers through the use of deception and unfair practices. While both state and federal law protect consumers from this type of behavior by requiring dealerships that don’t comply with these rules to compensate wronged parties for their losses, filing a claim… Read More »
Odometer Fraud on the Rise
A used car dealer in Colorado was recently charged with scamming customers by selling vehicles with altered odometer readings. Unfortunately, this type of conduct is becoming more and more common in the used car industry, a trend that is largely attributable to the increasing use of digital odometers, which are much easier to replace… Read More »
Dealership Advertising Requirements in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania law protects consumers from being defrauded by used car dealers by requiring dealerships to abide by certain advertising rules. Although dealers who fail to comply with these laws can be held liable for defrauding customers, filing these types of claims can be difficult, especially for those without legal representation, so if you were… Read More »
What Does it Mean to Purchase a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle?
Many used car dealers, in an effort to put consumers at ease about the safety of their products, market their vehicles as being “Certified Pre-Owned.” This term is used to refer to vehicles that have been refurbished, but have also undergone and passed an inspection checklist. While this title gives many purchasers peace of… Read More »
