Title Washing is the process of altering a vehicle’s title for concealing information that would normally be included. This may be done by either actually altering printed documents or reapplying for a title without disclosing its prior history.
To avoid the title washing scam you need to inspect very closely any area of the car for signs of rust and corrosion. Look in the trunk where the spare tire goes. Look under the hood to see if any of the wires or connections contains signs of corrosion.
You may also sight down the car and look for any evidence of panels not quite matching up or new paint, etc. Be especially suspicious of new or newer cars with almost no miles that are being sold at a very cheap price.
Remember to look for any indication of mold, whether visually or by smell. You may have to pull up some carpet somewhere like in the trunk area. Also check to make sure the V.I.N. (Vehicle Identification Number) on the paperwork matches the V.I.N. on the vehicle.
A vehicle history report might be a good idea because a vehicle history report should show the vehicles entire history.
Finally if you don’t yet feel comfortable about inspecting a used car, and especially if you are buying a more expensive car, then it might be a good idea to take someone with you that can do it for you.
To report title washing fraud, contact your auto insurance company, local law enforcement agency or the National Insurance Crime Bureau or find an experienced dealer fraud attorney to defend your rights.
