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Toronto, October 13, 2009
- Few Ontarians know what a
curbsider is, but many could
fall victim to one. The Ontario
Motor Vehicle Industry Council
(OMVIC) has launched a consumer
awareness program (BuyWithConfidence.ca)
to encourage consumers to avoid
curbsider scams by purchasing
vehicles from Ontario-registered
dealers.
Curbsiders are unlicensed
dealers in the business of
selling cars, but who pose as
private sellers. The vehicles
they sell are often
misrepresented,
accident-damaged,
odometer-tampered, stolen, or
have liens against them. OMVIC
regulates Ontario dealers and
administers consumer protection
legislation.
"Curbsiders account for
approximately 25 per cent of
used-vehicle classified ads and
that means the Ontario public is
vulnerable to curbsider scams,"
says Carey Smith, director of
investigations for OMVIC.
"People would be shocked to know
some of the problems curbsiders
pass on to consumers: stolen
vehicles, previously damaged or
flooded vehicles, vehicles with
missing airbags, or worse.
Unlike curbsiders, Ontario's
registered motor vehicle dealers
abide by a code of ethics and
are required by legislation to
operate with honesty, integrity
and financial responsibility."
Tips to Avoid Curbsiders
Avoid purchasing vehicles
from people who:
- Conduct business
entirely over the phone,
email or the internet
- Offer to show the
vehicle in a public place
(instead of at their own
house or business)
- Will not provide a
Used Vehicle Information
Package (UVIP), as
required by law
- Are not listed on the
vehicle's registration as
the owner
- Protect Yourself: Buy
from a Registered Dealer
The best way to purchase a
vehicle, says Smith, is to buy
from an Ontario-registered
dealer. Identified by a blue and
yellow decal posted on
dealership doors or windows,
Ontario-registered dealers are
required by Ontario regulations
and OMVIC's Standards of
Business Practice to represent a
vehicle's history and condition
accurately. Ontario dealers also
pay into a consumer protection
fund that may cover issues
arising from a transaction with
a registered dealer.
"With more than 8,000
registered dealers in Ontario
offering every kind of vehicle
there is, there's no reason to
risk purchasing a dangerous
vehicle from a curbsider," says
Smith. "If you buy from a
registered dealer, you have some
protection. And, always remember
that if any deal seems too good
to be true, it probably is."
Consumers can identify
Ontario-registered dealers by
looking for the blue and yellow
"Ontario-registered dealer"
decal or by asking dealers to
provide their OMVIC
registration. To find a
registered dealer or verify
registration,
contact OMVIC or use OMVIC's
dealer locator.
"Buying a vehicle is one of
the biggest purchases someone
can make. We've implemented a
number of initiatives to help
steer people through the
process," says Brenda McIntyre,
communications coordinator for
OMVIC. These initiatives
include:
-
Know Your Ride - Grade
10 Civics program to help
students buy their first
vehicle
-
Know Before You Buy -
Explaining vehicle
advertisements
-
Consumer Line -
Quarterly consumer
protection newsletter
About OMVIC
OMVIC licences and regulates
motor vehicle dealers in Ontario
and enforces the Motor
Vehicle Dealers Act on behalf of
the
Minister of Consumer
Services. OMVIC maintains a
fair, safe and informed vehicle
sales marketplace by regulating
dealers and salespersons,
regularly inspecting Ontario's
8,400 dealerships, maintaining a
complaint line for consumers and
conducting investigations. OMVIC
is also responsible for
administering the Motor Vehicle
Dealers Compensation Fund on
behalf of a Board of Trustees.
For more information, please
contact:
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