Florida’s Top 5 Vehicle Fraud Cases and How to Avoid Them

The sunny state’s vibrant used car market can be both an opportunity and a risk. Vehicle fraud cases, such as title washing and odometer tampering, are prevalent. Buyers can protect themselves by leveraging tools like a Florida DMV license plate lookup. Through it, they can verify vehicle history and spot potential fraud. 

Below, we delve into Florida’s top five vehicle fraud cases and how you can avoid them.

1. Title Washing

What it is: Fraudsters remove salvage or rebuilt titles from vehicles, making them appear undamaged and legal for resale. This process involves forging the vehicle’s title history, often through out-of-state registration, to erase any hint of accidents. As a result, buyers may unknowingly purchase a car with hidden damage, leading to safety risks and financial loss.

Real Case in Florida: Authorities in Miami uncovered a large-scale title washing scheme involving vehicles damaged during hurricanes. Scammers illegally retitled and sold flood-damaged cars as clean.

How to Avoid It:

• Check VIN using services from license plate to VIN lookups to ensure the title matches the vehicle’s history.
• Be cautious of vehicles with “clean” titles that have a history of accidents or flooding.
• Verify with the FHSMV MV Check or equivalent to check for any discrepancies.
• Check the vehicle for signs of repair that could indicate hidden damage, especially after a natural disaster or accident.
• Research any vehicle’s lien status to make sure the title is free of financial claims or fraud.

2. Odometer Tampering

What it is: Manipulating a vehicle’s odometer to display lower mileage than the car has actually traveled. This practice, commonly known as “odometer rollback,” is illegal in many countries. It can significantly impact a car’s resale value and perceived reliability. In addition to legal consequences, individuals caught tampering with an odometer have several drawbacks. This may be in the form of fines, criminal charges, and difficulty selling or insuring the vehicle.

Real Case in Florida: A Tampa dealership was fined for rolling back odometers on over 50 used vehicles, deceiving buyers into overpaying.

How to Avoid It:

• Compare mileage from service records, Carfax reports, and inspection history through a free license plate lookup.
• Beware of prices that seem too good to be true for low-mileage vehicles.
• Inspect the vehicle’s condition and look for signs of excessive wear that don’t match the reported mileage.
• Check for inconsistent or missing documentation such as maintenance logs or title history.
• Trust your instincts—if something feels off about the vehicle’s history or condition, investigate further before making a purchase.
• Have a trusted mechanic perform a thorough inspection to detect potential signs of tampering.

3. Stolen Vehicles with Forged Documents

What it is: Criminals steal vehicles, alter identification numbers, and create fake ownership documents. This illegal practice, known as “VIN cloning,” allows thieves to resell stolen cars with seemingly legitimate paperwork. This makes it difficult for buyers to identify the vehicles as stolen. In some cases, the cloned vehicles may even be sold to unsuspecting buyers through online platforms or car dealerships.

Real Case in Florida: Jacksonville police recovered stolen vehicles that were being resold with fraudulent VIN plates and titles.

How to Avoid It:

• Conduct a Florida license plate lookup to verify the vehicle isn’t flagged as stolen.
• Match the license plate and VIN on the vehicle with official records from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• Verify the vehicle’s title and history through car report services to detect any discrepancies or signs of tampering.
• Check the VIN on different parts of the car to ensure there is no alteration.
• Look for signs of forgery in the vehicle’s documents, such as inconsistent fonts, missing watermarks, or other irregularities.
• Be cautious when purchasing vehicles from non-reputable sellers or those without proper documentation.

4. Fake Online Listings

What it is: Scammers advertise cars at unbeatable prices, demand deposits, and disappear after payment. They often create fake listings with fake or stolen photos, making the deal appear too good to be true. Once the deposit is made, they stop responding, and the car is never delivered.

Real Case in Florida: A Fort Lauderdale buyer sent a $5,000 deposit for a nonexistent car listed online, falling victim to a common scam.

How to Avoid It:

• Avoid paying deposits without seeing the car in person.
• Use many tools from license plate to VIN lookups to confirm the vehicle’s existence and details.
• Cross-check the seller’s details with the car’s documents, such as the title, VIN, and registration.
• Be cautious if the seller is hesitant or unable to provide proper documentation like title or bill of sale.
• Inspect the vehicle for inconsistencies, such as mismatched VIN plates, altered documentation, or signs of tampering.

5. VIN Cloning

What it is: Criminals copy the VIN of a legally registered car and attach it to a stolen vehicle. This practice, known as “VIN cloning,” allows thieves to make stolen vehicles appear legitimate and evade detection by authorities. The cloned VINs may be used to resell stolen vehicles or to register them for fraudulent purposes. And this may cause legal issues for original vehicle owners. Additionally, it can make recovering a stolen vehicle hard, as the cloned VIN can mislead law enforcement during investigations. 

Real Case in Florida: A Pensacola buyer unknowingly purchased a cloned car, leading to its confiscation during a routine traffic stop.

How to Avoid It:

• Run a license plate lookup for Florida to verify the VIN and ensure it matches the records.
• Cross-check the VIN on the car’s dashboard, door frame, and official paperwork.
• Compare the VIN on the car’s physical components (dashboard, door frame) with the documentation and check for inconsistencies.
• Verify that the vehicle’s registration matches official records from state agencies to ensure the documents are authentic.
• Be cautious of sellers who offer significantly lower prices or push for a quick sale with incomplete or suspicious paperwork.

Quick Steps to Avoid Falling Victim to Vehicle Fraud

1. Research the Vehicle History: Use a Florida license plate lookup or a license plate to VIN service to uncover essential details.
2. Inspect the Vehicle Thoroughly: Hire a trusted mechanic to check for hidden damage or tampered odometers.
3. Verify Title Authenticity: Check titles and documents directly with the DMV.
4. Meet Sellers in Person: Avoid online-only transactions and insist on meeting in secure locations.
5. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off about the deal, it’s best to walk away.

Avoid Fraud with Reliable Tools

Florida’s used car market can be a minefield, but with diligence and the right tools, you can avoid scams. Avoid fraud with our Florida free plate number lookup and enjoy peace of mind when buying your next car.