Philadelphia – The affordability of used cars creates a robust secondary market and a popular option for equipping new teenage drivers with a reliable first set of wheels. But that request also creates opportunities for fraud. One such scam is an odometer scam in which an unscrupulous dealer turns his 150,000 mile vehicle into his more profitable 90,000 mile vehicle. This extra 60,000 miles on him could put consumers, especially his teenage drivers, at risk.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials recently saw evidence of possible odometer fraud when officers seized 29 odometer manipulator interface devices that arrived unaccompanied from Hungary this month.
These devices are connected to the vehicle’s instrument panel for the sole purpose of manipulating the vehicle’s mileage. Consumers who unknowingly purchase vehicles with underreported mileage may face unexpected vehicle repair costs and serious safety implications.
CBP officials contacted National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officials, and NHTSA recommended that CBP seize the equipment. Vehicle odometer modification is illegal in the United States under 49 USC § 32703, which prohibits the sale of any device that disconnects, resets, or alters a motor vehicle’s odometer to change the actual odometer mileage. , installation, or use is prohibited.
According to NHTSA, more than 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with incorrect odometer readings. Odometer fraud costs U.S. consumers more than $1 billion annually. NHTSA offers tips to protect consumers from odometer fraud.
Officers seized a recently shipped odometer operating device on Saturday. The 29 devices were addressed to addresses in 12 states.
“Consumers deserve to have confidence that they are buying and driving a vehicle that will accurately show mileage and keep them and their families safe,” said Rene, CBP’s Philadelphia Regional Port Director. Ortega said. “Customs and Border Protection agents are happy to work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to keep America’s roadways safe and protect consumers from fraud by unscrupulous operators who value profit over safety. ”
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