Scam Alert! Illinois Secretary of State Warns About Fake Car Sales

The Illinois Secretary of State, Alexi Giannoulias, is warning people about fake car sales that are becoming more common in Illinois.

Many of these scams are carried out by out-of-state businesses pretending to be private sellers. These businesses are often licensed as wholesale dealers. They trick buyers by changing the car’s mileage and hiding major issues.

For example, a car that was listed as having 80,000 miles may actually have over 200,000 miles. Sometimes, these cars also have serious mechanical problems that are not disclosed.

Giannoulias said his office is working with law enforcement and educating people to stop these scams. He advised buyers to be careful and look out for signs of fraud before making any purchases.

These scams usually happen when someone licensed in another state sells cars to dealers while pretending to be a private seller.

Many of these vehicles are advertised online or on social media at prices that seem too good to be true. Unfortunately, they often have missing documents or hidden problems.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 450,000 cars are sold every year with fake odometer readings, causing over $1 billion in losses.

Illinois is one of the top states affected, with 79,000 cars found to have rolled-back odometers, ranking fifth in the nation.

To help buyers avoid getting scammed, Giannoulias shared the following tips:

• Always get the signed title when buying from a private seller.
• Make sure the seller owns the car.
• If there’s a loan on the car, ensure it’s fully paid before taking ownership.
• Check the title for any signs of tampering.
• Ensure the car’s condition matches its reported age and mileage.
• Use services like Carfax or AutoCheck to verify the vehicle’s history and compare details like the title, VIN, and odometer reading.
• Have the car inspected by a trusted mechanic.
• Never buy a car that’s been junked (wrecked, dismantled, or declared inoperable), as it can’t be registered or rebuilt in Illinois.
• If the seller claims to be an individual but the last owner listed is a dealer, don’t buy the car. You could face registration issues and extra taxes.

Staying alert and doing your research can help you avoid falling victim to these scams.

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