The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission reminds car buyers to be alert for flood-damaged vehicles from other states being sold by scammers to unsuspecting consumers.
Owners of flooded vehicles that may have been declared total losses by insurance companies may be allowed to retain their damaged vehicles. Rather than send their vehicles to the scrapyard, some dishonest dealers or other individuals will attempt to make a quick buck by selling their flooded vehicles to drivers in other states by claiming the flooded vehicles are in good condition.
The following consumer tips can help consumers steer clear of flooded-car scams.
*Individuals should purchase motor vehicles from a licensed dealer. To verify that a dealer or individual is currently licensed, visit verify.tn.gov.
*Check the National Insurance Crime Bureau before buying. A free lookup service called VINCheck allows consumers to check a vehicle for a “red flag” such as theft, accident damage, or being written off as a total loss through an insurance company.
*Use a reputable title check service such as the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System to check a vehicle’s title history.
*Be on the lookout for indicators of a flooded vehicle including a musty smell, damp carpets or mud or silt under the seats or engine.
