Beware of Cash for Clunkers Scams

There will never be a shortage of people out there trying to take advantage of new programs or trends, according to Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray. The new Cash for Clunkers program, officially known as CARS, is no exception.

Cordray is already aware of a number of scammers and imposters setting up websites to take advantage of people trying to earn a $3,500 or $4,500 rebate by turning in their old, inefficient cars. The sites ask consumers to “preregister” and provide their Social Security numbers.

It goes without saying: Do not do this. Sites that promise to put you in touch with authorized dealers in your area are likewise malarkey.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that the rules of CARS are clear: There is no need to register to participate. Dealers will apply the credit you earn from your clunker at the time you purchase your new car.

If you want more information from a reliable source, check out Cars.com’s Cash for Clunkers Guide.

New CARS Program Giving Rise to Scams (Akron Beacon Journal)

Comments

There are scams on the Internet and at some dealerships. This site has a video and lists various scams currently known. Buyer beware.

http://tinyurl.com/nlv3ed

Yes, as the name suggests, I do indeed have a clunker. Altough it is in good condition, I doubt that I can get anywhere from $3500. - $4500. for it either on a trade or an outright sale. There is the crux of my dissapointment with the new "Cash for Clunkers" program. Why it was limited to cars 25 yrs old or new is beyond me. There are plenty of people who keep patching up their 1981 and older cars and trucks that get far fewer miles per gallon than the cars produced in the 1990's - 2000's. Wouldn't it have been better to leave the older end of the requirement open so that we could really get the "clunkers" off the roads thus saving fuel and cleaning up the environement while propping up new car sales and adding "fuel" to the economy? Washington and the Pres dropped the ball on this one, don't you think?

Why should anyone have to subsidize a persons bad decision? Because I live responsibly and pay my bills, I have to take care of nimrods that drive vehicles with poor fuel economy? Talk about rewarding bad behavior. Go ahead get an old gas hog - it will be everyone-elses responsibilty but your own to make sure you get a new fuel efficient vehicle. God Bless America!

More welfare for the rich, since $4,500 does little to make the payments, insurance, plates, and maintenance on a $45,000 car (the limit for a purchase on this program) affordable to the average Joe. It is a nice little windfall if this is the level of transportation one is buying anyway.

Hello,

Your recent coverage of Cash for Clunkers legislation was spot on. I thought you might be interested in more info on vehicle donation alternatives to Cash for Clunkers for the many people who don't qualify for that government payout. You could help charities a lot by adding a link to our informational page on Cash for Clunkers versus charitable car donation - http://www.donatecarusa.com/cashforclunkers.

So many charities benefit from donated vehicles. If you mention our program or add a link to our site please let us know. We appreciate your help.

Charity Assistance Team
Donate Car USA and for more than 400 charities
Charityprogrm@donatecarusa..com
Toll-Free: (888)-317-7279

re: 1981 caprice; why limit to cars newer than 1984? answer: having established that some cars newer than 1984 should be bought and scrapped this year, the feds will decide next year that all cars older than 1984 must be taken without compensation.

I went to my local dealer and my 95 Olds gets more than 18 MPG according to the EPA. He offered me $500 for my car. What a joke! I tried to sell it outright and got a bunch of lookers, but no buyers. I went to http://www.1800cashforcars.com and had 3 offers, all over the $900 that I told the dealer I would have taken. Now I can go to any dealer and use my $1150 that I got as a down payment with the rebates and get a new car.

Cash for clunkers was a ridiculous government program which offered loans to people and incentives to buy cars they couldnt afford. If you want to get cash for you car you can visit http://rcoautosales.com and http://sicashcars.com and take the money you get and roll it over to a car you can afford.

I was so mad my chevy lumina didnt qualify as a clunker. This thing was a piece of sh*t. I decided to get rid of it anyways and the dealer gave me $25 for it...yes, not a typo...