| For those who are considering buying a used | | | | more for an older car as the seller may charge more |
| automobile, perhaps one of the most highly | | | | for a vehicle that supposedly has fewer miles, when |
| perpetrated scams of all used car scams is odometer | | | | in reality it doesn't. |
| fraud. The following paragraphs will describe this type | | | | Ways to Prevent Becoming a Victim of Odometer |
| of fraud and detail ways to prevent becoming a | | | | Fraud |
| victim of odometer fraud. | | | | One of the reasons why odometer fraud is so |
| Defining Odometer Fraud | | | | widespread is due to the fact that it is very difficult |
| Odometer fraud occurs when the seller and/or | | | | for the regular layperson to determine whether this |
| owner of a used care takes steps to change the | | | | type of illegality has taken place. However, there are |
| actual odometer reading on the title and automobile | | | | a few different ways where individuals can try to |
| odometer itself. Individuals commit this type of | | | | protect themselves from odometer fraud. The first is |
| offense for a few different reasons; however, the | | | | to take the used vehicle to a mechanic for an |
| main reason in which individuals engage in odometer | | | | inspection prior to purchasing the automobile. By |
| fraud is so that the automobile has a more attractive | | | | doing so, the prospective buyer can make sure that |
| odometer reading and may sell more quickly and get | | | | everything is in working order and the overall |
| a better price. It is important that prospective used | | | | components of the car are similar to what would be |
| car purchasers are aware of the existence of | | | | seen with a car having that type of mileage on it. |
| odometer fraud and take necessary precautions to | | | | Another way in which to prevent oneself from falling |
| guard against being susceptible to a fraudulent act of | | | | prey to odometer fraud perpetrators is to ask about |
| this type. | | | | the history of the vehicle. This will help the |
| Reasons to Avoid Odometer Fraud | | | | prospective purchaser find out more about the car |
| Some individuals may hear the term odometer fraud | | | | and may be able to discern certain things from how |
| and not be overly concerned if the numbers on the | | | | often it is has been driven, how many previous |
| odometer have been altered. There are a few | | | | owners it has had, etc. |
| reasons why prospective purchasers should be | | | | Lastly, one should ask to see the title prior to signing |
| concerned about odometer fraud. First, if the | | | | any documents. When one looks at the title they will |
| odometer reading on the vehicle was altered, this | | | | be able to see the mileage disclosure and determine |
| could ultimately mean that more costly repairs will be | | | | whether the current reading may be accurate or not. |
| necessary in the future as a car which is used more | | | | Odometer fraud is a serious violation which |
| often has a much greater likelihood of having | | | | prospective used car buyers should always be on the |
| mechanical problems sooner than a newer vehicle. | | | | lookout for in order to help prevent falling victim to a |
| Secondly, if the odometer reading has been changed | | | | crime of this type. |
| on the vehicle, the individual will most likely be paying | | | | |