Are You Considering Buying a Vehicle on Social Media?
READ THIS FIRST!!!!!
Auto theft rings are making big money off unsuspecting buyers through VIN-cloned vehicles.
If the deal seems too good to be true—IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!!!!
DO YOUR RESEARCH:
Always ask the seller for the VIN number and do a title check through Texas Department of Motor Vehicles:
https://www.txdmv.gov/.../title-check-look-before-you-buy
IF BUYING FROM AN INDIVIDUAL:
Have them meet you at the county tax office to transfer the title. A legitimate seller won’t have a problem doing this.
RED FLAGS TO LOOK FOR:
The seller refuses to meet at the county tax office or TxDMV Regional Service Center.
Wants to meet in a random parking lot for the transaction.
Requests cash only. Sometimes requests cash deposit in advance.
Won’t provide a clear VIN or registration when asked.
WHEN CHECKING OUT THE VEHICLE (IN PERSON):
Look at the VIN plate on the dash.
Check the registration sticker and license plate.
Make sure the registration matches the seller’s name.
DON'T BE A VICTIM:
You could lose both your money AND the vehicle.
The attached photo is one of the VIN-cloned vehicles that was seized by the Amarillo Police Department in 2024.
These vehicles were purchased by unsuspecting buyers off platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
STAY SMART, STAY SAFE!!!
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