CARFAX Alerts Consumers to Curbstoning; Experts Renew Warning of Scam in Light of Recent Events and Economy.

Business Editors/Automotive Writers

FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2001

Given the current economy with more people opting to purchase pre-owned versus new vehicles, CARFAX, pioneer of the vehicle history report, warns that an illegal practice known as curbstoning could be putting more consumers into rebuilt wrecks.

CARFAX explains that these curbstoners - unlicensed dealers posing as private sellers - now have a new angle for foisting rebuilt wrecks onto a trusting public.

"Tragedies tend to bring out the best and, sadly, the worst in people," says Scott Fredericks, a consumer advocate with CARFAX, Inc. Fredericks fears that scam-artists will manipulate consumers with "war stories" to elicit sympathy and make a sale. John Creel, a Consumer Investigator who has been busting curbstoners for years shares this concern.

"You may hear from the curbstoner that he's selling it for his relative or friend who's just been deployed overseas," explains Creel, who concurs that a curbstoner will say whatever it takes to gain buyers' confidence and unload questionable cars on an unassuming public.

Curbstoners sell vehicles reputable dealers won't touch because of hidden problems--problems that can affect both safety and value of the vehicle such as salvage titles or rolled back odometers. According to law enforcement official estimates anywhere from 60 to 90-percent of the cars advertised in classified ads or sold at the curb may be curbstoned vehicles.

Now, with more people looking for affordable used cars without payments, curbstoners are putting more people at risk with potentially dangerous vehicles.

"This is why CARFAX is an essential tool for the used car buyer," explains Fredericks. "A CARFAX report can reveal hidden problem's in a car's past, it allows the consumer to be a detective." The report, like an instant background check on the vehicle, will either confirm or refute the seller's story. "It lets the buyer know if the seller can be trusted," he adds.

Creel recommends that used car shoppers to do their "homework" and "not be in a rush" when buying a pre-owned vehicle.

Consumer investigators like Creel continue to crack down on curbstoners and, along with CARFAX, are working to protect and educate consumers about these rip-offs. For a detailed fact sheet with tips on how to avoid being taken by a curbstoner, contact Julie Atlas or Leigh-Anne Dennison at 703/934-2664 or via email at [e-mail].

ABOUT CARFAX

Founded in 1984, CARFAX pioneered the concept of the vehicle history report - the instant background check on any used car. CARFAX Vehicle History Reports can confirm a clean title history or identify serious problems with any used car, including salvage history, odometer fraud, flood damage and more. CARFAX helps millions of consumers and thousands of car dealers avoid buying used cars with costly hidden problems. Using the 17-character Vehicle ID Number (VIN), used car buyers can access over 1.6 billion vehicle history records from hundreds of different sources in the CARFAX nationwide database at www.carfax.com. Every CARFAX Report that confirms a clean title history is backed by the $5,000 Clean Title History Guarantee. CARFAX, Inc., based in Fairfax, Virginia, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the R.L. Polk & Co.