Cash For Clunkers Program: Don't Get Scammed

New York Senator Charles Schumer publicly announced today that drivers should be aware of "Cash For Clunkers" scams.

He advises to be aware of purported "Cash for Clunkers" web sites that ask consumers to provide sensitive personal information, including names, addresses and social security numbers, to register and reserve a spot for the "Cash for Clunkers" program. There is no online website that can reserve a place for you in the cash for clunkers program.

Patricia Swift-Oladeinde, a spokeswoman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government agency assigned to administer the program, also has issued warnings that other websites tell consumers they will put them in touch with authorized "Cash for Clunkers" dealers in their area.

The only way to participate in the "Cash for Clunkers" program is to go to a car dealer and sign up.

The NHTSA has set up an official Web site at Cars.gov to provide information about the program. The agency also has a hot-line at 888-327-4236. Consumers can visit that Web site or call the hot-line number to get official information about the program.

One clue that Web sites aren't real is if they use the name "Cash for Clunkers," Swift-Oladeinde said. That is not the real name of the program, which is officially known as the Car Allowance Rebate System.


Source: wnyc.org, cnn.com