POTENTIAL new car owners are being warned about a new scam that could see many pay extra for a vehicle in poor condition.
Experts said the scheme prevents potential buyers from seeing warning lights on the dashboard that indicate whether there is a problem with the vehicle.
The malicious scam was discovered by mechanics at Kim’s Auto Service in Glenview, Illinois – just over 20 miles northwest of Chicago.
Mohammed Mhawish, a mechanic and co-owner of the store, told local ABC News affiliate WLS that he has had several customers bring cars in for service that had electrical tape positioned under the dashboard, over several warning lights.
These lights provide important information about when the car should be serviced or even if they need to stop driving the vehicle immediately.
After removing the tape, Mhawish said he and his customers could see warning lights come on – indicating that problems with the car were being covered up, literally.
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“They are bringing the car in for repairs because the car doesn’t run well with them,” Mhawish told the outlet.
“They feel like there’s something wrong with the car, so they need to fix it.”
He alleged that these customers are being cheated when they buy vehicles from private sellers online.
Although the vehicle may appear normal from the outside, scammers remove the top portion of the dashboard and place black electrical tape over the icon lights to hide any warnings.
The scam can cost new car owners thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs if they are not aware of the serious problems their newly purchased vehicle may have.
Elmer Garza, director of the Illinois State Police Secretary, also told WLS that the new scam is on the rise in the region.
“We’re seeing this more and more,” Garza said, explaining that it’s typically related to “unlicensed dealers” selling vehicles online.
There are several steps new car owners can take to avoid falling victim to the scam.
Before purchasing a car online, Garza recommends that all potential buyers run a vehicle history report through CarFax or Auto Check.
This will check the vehicle’s mileage, its history of mechanical problems, as well as confirm its vehicle identification number (VIN).
During the purchasing process, experts also recommend that you pay close attention to how things look on the dashboard.
“When you turn on the ignition, not the engine, but the ignition on, you have to have all the lights on the dashboard, okay? All the lights,” said Mhawish.
How to avoid fraud on the panel
Scammers are covering up warning lights on dashboards, tricking new car owners into purchasing vehicles with multiple problems and potentially costing them thousands of dollars.
Experts recommend that buyers take the following steps to avoid falling victim to the scam:
- Run a vehicle history check
- Pay close attention when turning on the ignition to see if any lights come on.
- Inspect the car before purchasing
- Use an automatic scanner on the engine to look for possible problems
“So when you start the car, okay, the lights will disappear by themselves.”
New buyers should also consider having their vehicle checked by a mechanic before purchasing, as they may find potential problems.
Mhawish revealed that during inspections he uses an automatic scanner on the engine.
This reveals any problems with the car and engine that may have gone unnoticed due to the dashboard light covering.
“This scanner will tell me exactly what the problem is,” said the mechanic.
Car buyers can also purchase a similar scanner, which only costs about $25, according to Garza.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
