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What happens if you buy a stolen car without realizing it?
I’m buying a car next week, but the seller is being kind of shady. He says the car doesn’t have a title and wants me to pay in cash. I suspect it might be stolen. What happens if you buy a stolen car without realizing it?
Melanie Johnson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Do not buy this car! While a title is not always necessary when purchasing a car, it’s a red flag that he also wants you to pay in cash. If you buy a stolen car, knowingly or not, you could be imprisoned, the car will be impounded, and you will lose your financial investment.
Some ways to prevent buying a stolen car:
- If there’s no title—request an ironclad bill of sale from the seller.
- Take photographs or make a copy of the seller’s driver’s license.
- Run the vehicle’s VIN online before purchasing. Carfax offers this service, as well as many other free sites.
Best of luck! Good on you for recognizing a potential scam before it was too late.
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