Dealer Tricks: A credit check is mandatory

Do not trust car dealers who will tell you that a credit check is mandatory even if you plan on getting financing elsewhere. Never let the dealer do this because the more times your credit is checked out by anyone it potentially lowers your credit score. If you are not planning to have your vehicle financing arranged at the dealership, don’t give the dealer your social security number and do not let dealership make a copy of your drivers license before you take the test drive. Of course, you will have to show your drivers license but do not let it out of your sight. Always inform the dealer that you do not authorize them to run a credit check on you. Before signing any documents make sure there is no credit-check authorization clause included.