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Fraud, Endangerment, & Identity Theft
Be Aware!!
Ever wonder if it is safe to purchase or sell a private vehicle to a stranger? What could possibly happen? How could meeting a potential buyer or seller at a public place or at your home put you at risk? Will anything bad actually happen to you? How could someone obtain information on you that would make it possible to have your identity stolen while completing a transaction of this nature? According to some very shocking statistics and research, we are all in danger and must be aware.
Did you know that Arizona is over 3 times the national average when it comes to vehicle theft? An Arizona vehicle theft occurs every 11 minutes 7 seconds.
Only 12.6 percent of these thefts were cleared by arrests in 2006. Did you know that Arizona is the overwhelming leader when it comes to identity theft? In 2006, Arizona had an average of 1427.8 victims of ID theft or fraud per 100,000 people! Second place comes in at 120 victims per 100,000 people. This is astonishing, to say the least. Simply be aware!
If you are buying or selling a vehicle through various free classifieds on the web, numerous vehicle listing websites, or on most consignment lots, you are at risk for fraud, vehicle theft, ID theft, or even worse; bodily harm. Many recent cases have proven that using the so-called free classified listing websites (we all know which) can put you on the fast track to possible negative tribulations. People have been scammed, cheated, robbed, or even murdered due to encountering some of the criminals in our society that prey off of this form of exposure. Who’s to say that a potential “buyer”, once set up with a meeting place, will not chance on the opportunity to car jack you once you show? Or rob you of your wallet or purse which in turn can lead to ID theft? Just be aware!
If you list your vehicle on one of the numerous vehicle selling websites, are you really safe? Most do not secure your personal information used when communicating with a potential buyer or seller of a vehicle. This is just a foundation for criminal activity and endangerment. Most list your personal phone number for any and all to see (including crooks). Once any piece of personal information is attained, that is all it takes for any and all identifiable data to be secured by criminals. Once again, it can also lead to meeting with someone you think is safe when they really are not and putting yourself in danger. Please be aware!
The downside to consignment lots is most do not protect your private information either. For example, if you list your vehicle on a consignment lot or a lot you were given permission to park and advertise your vehicle, if a potential buyer wants to test drive or has questions regarding your vehicle they will contact you direct. Again, leaving you vulnerable to potential demise; both through ID theft and other criminal acts. Choose to be aware!
A Lot 2 Offer has created an environment with knowledgeable customer service agents, self-awareness resources, as well as theft prevention products, services, and intelligence. A secured, well-lit facility is made accessible as a neutral site for buyers and sellers to meet and tend to their transaction needs. If you choose to rent a space on our display lot, we do not give out any of your private information to any potential buyers. We setup a special voicemail box for you to obtain messages and/or questions from potential buyers on our secure network. Any data sent or received via internet and our website is on a secure server and network. Various beneficial services including notary service, vehicle detailing, car history reports, etc… are obtainable.
We are not car-people; we are people-people trying to do our part in creating a safe haven for the upstanding citizens in society. We are striving to prevent fraud, endangerment, identity theft, and all vehicle related crimes. Little by little, we can all do our part to mold our humanity into one that possesses less and less corruption, delinquency, and wrongdoing. This is our approach to improving our corner in civilization. All we ask is for your own sake… be aware!
Source: FBI's 2007 Uniform Crime Report (UCR); National Insurance Crime Bureau; Insurance Information Institute; Federal Highway Administration; Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA)