[PSA] VEHICLE RELATED SCAMS

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[PSA] VEHICLE RELATED SCAMS

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WWW.LSPDONLINE.NET
Los Santos Police Department
Public Service Announcement
Sunday, September 18th, 2022
"TO PROTECT AND SERVE"

Don't Get Scammed: Read This Before You Buy or Sell Your Car
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    Selling your vehicle or other property privately comes with a great risk of theft through deception, otherwise known as fraud. Unfortunately, there is often little the police can do to get your property back if you fall victim to a scam, due to the fact that much of the evidence needed to prove that the crime has occurred requires taking precautions that would have prevented the crime from occurring in the first place. Therefore, as crime reports and 911 calls reporting fraud during private sales of vehicles and other property continue to come in, we would like to remind you of what you can do to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
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  • 1. Sell Through Government Sanctioned Markets
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    If you are buying or selling a car, do it through the government-run high-end and low-end car markets, and if you are buying or selling a house, business, or property, do it through realtors at your door. Realtors are experienced individuals assisting in sales and ensuring that all details, such as but not limited to sales tax, are handled appropriately, which in turn may take further stress or confusion away from both the seller and buyer.

    Should you still choose to deal privately, be advised that the seller is required by law to pay the same 5% sales tax applied through official markets. Someone offering to pay a better price if the deal is done in private is an indication that they intend to avoid paying sales tax, which is a criminal act and a clear sign that you should not trust them with your money.
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  • 2. Film the Entire Interaction
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    Filming the interaction provides great proof in an investigation, but only if it shows the sale itself, and ideally the other party's face and clothing. CCTV cameras are not good enough, and will not save you! You can film easily and inconspicuously with a body camera, which can be purchased rather inexpensively from various stores.
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  • 3. Get Proof of Identification
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    In your video, get a view of the other party's official ID card or driver's license, or at the very least take a picture of it. It should go without saying that proof of the other party's identification is vital to positively identifying a suspect in an investigation.
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  • 4. Keep the Original Contract
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    A contract stating the terms and conditions of the deal is vital evidence, but it is worthless if you do not keep it! Always print out two copies of the pocket, and always make sure that both you and the other party have hand-signed the contract that you are taking home with you. Do not proceed with the sale before you have a signed contract, and make sure you have taken yours back from them after they sign it, before proceeding with the sale.

    A contract should include at a minimum:
    1. The full legal name of the buyer and seller, specifying who is who;
    2. The item(s) being sold including identifying information such as a license plate;
    3. The amount being paid for that item in United States Dollars, and the agreed monetary value of any items used as trade;
    4. When the payment is due;
    5. How the payment will be made;
    6. Hand signature of all parties involved in the sale.
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  • 5. Be Suspicious
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    If the other party is unwilling to partake in the deal on your terms, walk away. If someone will not identify themselves, remove their mask and gloves, or consent to be filmed, do not risk your money, even if you are getting a great deal. In situations like this, there is a good chance that the deal is only good because the other party has no intention of following through with it. Trust your gut; in many fraud cases reported to the LSPD, the suspect was acting in clearly suspicious ways.
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  • 6. Take Precautions
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    You likely rarely make deals with money sums this large, so when you do, take a few minutes to protect yourself as much as possible. Failing to take these precautions creates a huge risk of losing everything, while simultaneously making it very difficult for the Police to help you.
CONTACT INFORMATION
  • Written By:
    Police Detective I Belle Cavallera
    Officer-in-Charge, Media Relations Division
    [email protected]
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    For Information, Contact:
    Media Relations Division Public Inquiries
    Los Santos Police Department
    Sinner Street 69, Mission Row
    Los Santos, SA, 90013
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MEDIA RELATIONS DIVISION
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Los Santos Police Department — "To Protect and to Serve"

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