Buying a car should feel exciting, but for many, it can quickly turn into a stressful experience that raises a myriad of uncomfortable questions after the paperwork is signed. If the deal felt rushed, confusing, or different from what you were promised, you’re not being paranoid. Car dealer scams are more common than most people realize. Continue reading and reach out to the knowledgeable New Mexico car dealer fraud lawyers at Feferman, Warren & Mattison to learn about how to tell if a car dealer scammed you and how our legal team can help. Here are some of the questions you may have:

Was I misled about the condition or history of the car (including prior wrecks), price, financing, or terms?

Another blog post will talk about vehicles damaged in accidents. Another common way car buyers get scammed is through deceptive pricing or financing tactics that only become clear after the sale becomes final. You may have agreed to one thing verbally, only to discover something very different in the contract. Some of the most common red flags that our firm sees in this regard are as follows:

  • Expensive payments that you cannot afford, indicating that the car dealer may have lied about your income
  • The car dealer’s failure to pay off your trade vehicle
  • A sales price that suddenly increases after you agreed to a number
  • Extra fees added that were never clearly explained
  • A higher interest rate than what you were told you qualified for
  • Loan terms that are longer or more expensive than discussed
    Monthly payments that do not match what was promised

If any of these sound familiar, it may indicate bait and switch tactics or misleading disclosures, both of which can violate the law.

Did the dealer lie or leave out important information?

Some car dealer scams involve what was not said rather than things that were said out loud. Dealers are generally required to disclose important facts about a vehicle, especially when those facts would influence a reasonable buyer’s decision. Some of the most common situations that may be cause for concern are as follows:

  • Failing to disclose prior accidents or flood damage
  • Selling a vehicle with known mechanical issues without disclosure
  • Misrepresenting a used car as new or certified
  • Rolling back or altering the odometer reading
  • Claiming a warranty exists when it does not

What should I do if I think I was scammed by a car dealer?

If you believe a car dealer scammed you, the most important thing to do is slow down and gather documents. Don’t feel embarrassed or even blame yourself. Some of the most important things you can do are:

  • Review your sales contract
  • Save advertisements, emails, and text messages relevant to your situation
  • Write down what you were told during the sale
  • Avoid further communication without an attorney
  • Hire a New Mexico consumer lawyer who can help you fight for the justice you deserve

Ultimately, if something about your car purchase doesn’t sit right, you should trust your instinct and contact an attorney who can assess the circumstances of your case, and, from there, build a comprehensive strategy on your behalf.