- Storm-Damaged Cars and Title Washing Scams
What You Need to Know
Severe storms in Central Pennsylvania have brought not only flooding and destruction but also a wave of vehicle scams. Fraudsters are taking water-damaged cars from flood zones, cleaning them up, and transporting them to other states where they’re re-registered with clean titles—a deceptive practice known as “title washing.” These vehicles often reappear on the market looking perfectly fine, but may have hidden structural and electrical issues that can put drivers at serious risk. The Pennsylvania Attorney General and past alerts from other states like Massachusetts have warned consumers to be cautious when purchasing used cars during post-storm periods.
What You Should Do
Get a trusted mechanic inspection: Never purchase a used car without a thorough inspection by a qualified mechanic who can spot signs of hidden water damage.
Check the car’s history: Use the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) to obtain a reliable report on the car’s past, including salvage history, previous damage, and title transfers. Visit: vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov.
Watch for red flags: Be cautious if a car is priced well below market value, has a freshly cleaned interior with waterline marks, or has titles issued from states recently impacted by flooding.
Verify paperwork details: Check that the title history is consistent and not recently moved from one state to another, which may be a sign of title washing.
Think you are being scammed? Call our scam hotline or email us for help:
(801)-724-6211
scamwatch@invisus.com
