Many consumers in Ontario don’t know where to turn when something goes wrong with a vehicle purchase; they mistakenly believe that car dealerships are akin to the Wild Wild West where lawlessness was commonplace and bandits plentiful. But the truth of the matter is quite the opposite. Car dealers and salespersons must be licensed and abide by the rules and regulations of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA), the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and a strict Code of Ethics; and the “sheriff” administering and enforcing the laws is OMVIC – Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator.

Do you remember trick-or-treating? Can you recall the tangible excitement of running from house to house; trying not to trip, or worse, lose some of the candies stashed in your pillow case. And there was a secret communication shared by the young ghouls, witches and ghosts as they transited the neighborhood – where to find the best ”loot”…

If you’re looking to purchase a late model used car or truck, chances are you’ve checked out some of the online auto marketplaces such as Kijiji, AutoTRADER, Craigslist or others. While there are a lot of legitimate vehicles available through these sites, there are also a number of sophisticated online scams you should watch out for. 

Know A Scam When You See One

Recently, OMVIC has warned Canadian online car shoppers about two notorious scams designed to separate consumers from their hard-earned money: the phony private seller; and the phantom US dealer. Both have tell-tale signs that, if spotted, will alert the potential buyer to the dangers posed by these rip-off artists.