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Authorities in Texas are warning new and used car buyers of the latest scam to hit our great state. If you buy a car online, there is a chance it could have been stolen!

Cars,Stuck,In,Traffic,At,An,Intersection
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This is happening to individuals AND car dealerships in Texas too!

Can you imagine how horrifying it would be get to your local tax office and then and only then discover the car you just bought WITH CASH is actually a stolen car?

Car and money
Dmitriy Melnikov
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Check this out...by law, the vehicle has to be seized at that time!

Confused young man
KatarzynaBialasiewicz
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It's the latest scam and that means fast cash for the bad guys while you are left stranded, literally at the tax office!

The Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force said people are being duped into buying stolen vehicles online with cash, and when it is later discovered the vehicle is stolen, the vehicle is also taken away.

AaronAmat
AaronAmat
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Too good to be true? That's a RED FLAG!

Red Muscle Car
Sreedhar Yedlapati
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One of the first signs that the car you're interested in on Marketplace and Craigslist might be that the offer is just, " to good to be true" Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force warns.

Luxury cars and SUV's are being sold for cash only and of course as soon as the vehicle is purchased, the page is dropped and the scammers start fresh with a new page and a new stolen vehicle.

Don't get scammed Texas!

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Rawpixel Ltd
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The scammers might share a vehicle identification number with you, but the VIN belongs to another vehicle.

demaerre
demaerre
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Where is the heaviest instances of this scam?

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Meinzahn
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The task force has found that the majority of vehicles being sold fraudulently are coming from Houston, but the vehicles can end up being sold all over Texas. 

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gguy44
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Here is the best way to avoid being scammed like this;

Authorities offer that the best way to avoid being scammed is to meet the seller at the tax office and have the title cleared before any money is exchanged!

Happy Couple And Mature Consultant Discussing Together
AndreyPopov
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Have questions? You can reach out to the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force or call 254-757-0701.

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