Shopping for a car can be fun and exciting. But wading through ads and promotions from car dealers also can be stressful. Some advertise unusually low prices, low or no up-front payments, low- or no-interest loans, or low monthly payments. But the FTC says to use caution: Not all dealers play by the rules.
The FTC — and its federal, state and local partners in the U.S. and Canada — today announced more than 250 enforcement actions. The charges range from deceptive advertising and criminal auto loan application fraud, to odometer fraud, deceptive add-on loan servicing fees, and deceptive marketing of car title loans.
Operation Ruse Control includes six new cases filed by the the FTC, resulting in more than $2.6 million in judgments. The sweep follows on the heels of the agency’s Operation Steer Clear against 10 dealers in 2014.
If you’re in the market for a new or used car, don’t let deceptive business practices leave you spinning your wheels. Check out our free consumer information about buying and owning a car before you start shopping.
If you think you’ve been misled, report it to the FTC. Your complaints help us stop rip-offs, scams and frauds.
