March is Fraud Prevention Month. WPS Financial Crimes along with with the Free Press Community Review want to make sure you're informed about different types of fraud, including Auto Scams. Protect yourself by learning the red flags before buying.
Read more about how auto scams work here.
Tips to protect yourself before buying a vehicle:
Check the VIN – Run the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) to see if it’s stolen.
Get a history report – Services like Carfax can reveal odometer rollbacks, accidents, and duplicate VINs—red flags for stolen vehicles.
Verify the seller’s ID – Ensure the name on the registration matches the seller’s identification.
Check safety records – Use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration VIN Decoder to compare the listed specifications with the actual vehicle.
Doing your research is the best way to protect your investment. If a deal seems too good to be true—it probably is.
For more information on protecting yourself from fraud, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Thanks for following along this Fraud Prevention Month. For more stories like this, check out the Free Press Community Review.