Curbstoners are car dealers, who sell their cars on the street by pretending to be private sellers. Buyers of used vehicles should be very careful to be able to detect scams of curbstoners. These are some tips to be used:
• Remember, that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you think that the price of a used car is too good for what you are getting, then the dealer or the seller is probably trying to scam you.
• Always check and make sure that the name on the driver license of the seller is consistent with that of the title of the car. If the names do not match, do NOT buy the car!
• Take the car to a qualified mechanic that you know and have it inspected. The car inspection can spot any problems of the vehicle you intend to buy.
• Get a vehicle history report, which will be able to will identify any flooded vehicles, salvaged vehicles, prior major accidents, rolled-back odometers, etc.. Reports will also show title transfers. There are a number of services online that allow you to run a vehicle history report.
• Try to purchase a vehicle from a reputable car dealer, rather than from a curbstoner.
• Avoid buying a car on the internet.
