how to check to if a dealer car reported stolen utah state attorney general

by Pearlie Jacobson V 7 min read

What do you do if you find a stolen car?

General Information. After recovery by a law enforcement agency, all interested parties (legal owner, lienholder, or selling dealership) of an abandoned, possible theft or stolen vehicle will be notified where their vehicle is being stored and will be instructed to obtain a Letter of Release from a DMV Office in order for the vehicle to be ...

How do I get a title for an impounded vehicle in Utah?

If you feel you have been cheated in a car deal or have a complaint about a dealer, you can contact the MVED: Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division Utah State Tax Commission 210 N 1950 W Salt Lake City, UT 84134 801-297-2600, or toll-free 1-800-662-4335 mved.utah.gov

How do you get a VIN number from a stolen car?

Annual Report; FAQs; Initiatives. Human Trafficking; Utah Opioid Task Force; SafeUT Program; ... SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Attorney General’s Office is honoring longtime prosecutor Robert Stott, who passed away March 12, 2022. ... State of Utah. Office of the Attorney General. 800-AG4-INFO (244-4636) 800.244.4636. [email protected]. Home; Contact;

What do you need to open a car dealership in Utah?

Jul 04, 2018 · Office Hours Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm Email: [email protected] General Office Number: 1-801-366-0260 Office of the Attorney General Utah State Capitol Complex 350 North State Street Suite 230 SLC UT 84114-2320 Utah State Capitol Office Mailing Address Office of the Attorney General PO Box 142320 SLC UT 84114-2320 Heber M. Wells Building Mailing […]

What happens if your car registration expires?

If the registration has expired, registration fees must be paid and a 15-day temporary permit will be needed to complete the required safety and emission inspections. Note: Before a stolen vehicle is released, the owner, or an authorized agent, must present legal picture ID, along with ownership papers.

What happens after a vehicle is recovered?

After recovery by a law enforcement agency, all interested parties (legal owner, lienholder, or selling dealership) of an abandoned, possible theft or stolen vehicle will be notified where their vehicle is being stored and will be instructed to obtain a Letter of Release from a DMV Office in order for the vehicle to be released from impound.

Can you get a title for an abandoned vehicle in Utah?

Obtaining Ownership of Abandoned Vehicles and Private Impounds. Towing companies may request a Utah title or dismantling permit for abandoned or privately impounded vehicles when the legal owner has not claimed the vehicle within a reasonable period of time.

How to check if a car is cloned?

1. Contact your insurer. Your insurer has their own database which you can ask them to check for possible clones. Car cloning occurs when the thief pries the VIN plate off the stolen car and replaces it with a different one. The new VIN is often stolen from another car.

How many characters are in a car's VIN number?

Every car has a VIN, which you should check so that you can perform a search. The VIN is made up of 17 characters and is like the car’s Social Security Number. Don’t just accept whatever VIN the seller gives you. Instead, thoroughly inspect the vehicle yourself to find the VIN.

What to do if your car has a discrepancy?

If there’s a discrepancy, then the car was probably stolen. Ask your mechanic to inspect the vehicle. Your mechanic might be able to spot that the VIN has been tampered with. Furthermore, your mechanic can check the overall condition of the car so that you aren’t buying a clunker.

What to do if your car is stolen?

If the vehicle has been stolen, call the police and report the vehicle. In the U.S., you should call the NICB at 800-835-6422 or submit an anonymous tip to TIP411. You can also call your local police. Share as many details about the seller as you can: name, address, and appearance.

Where is the VIN number on a car?

To check if a car is stolen, look for the vehicle identification number (VIN), which will be located near the dashboard in front of the steering wheel, on the inside of the driver-side door, in the rear wheel well above the tire, or somewhere else on the car.

Does the VIN on a car show on service records?

The car’s VIN should also appear on service records, which the owner might share with you. Make sure the VIN on the service records matches the VIN on the car. If not, then the car has probably been stolen. Of course, the car’s owner might fudge service records to hide the fact that the car has been stolen.

Do thieves use a cell phone?

Proceed cautiously if the seller uses a cell phone. Thieves move around a lot, so they prefer to do business using a cell phone. They also probably don’t have a fixed address, either. When you go to look at the car, ask the seller where they live and work. If they hesitate, then you may be buying a stolen car.

What are the dangers of cloning a vehicle?

Other dangers of VIN cloning include: The possibility that a cloned vehicle was registered BEFORE the legitimate vehicle. The burden of proving to law enforcement that you weren't involved in the cloning of a VIN.

What happens when a criminal clones a VIN number?

When a criminal clones a VIN, it often results in two or more registered vehicles on the road with the same vehicle identification number. Stolen vehicles with cloned VINs are sometimes taken to a different state and sold. The victim of VIN fraud is often unaware of what's happened until their vehicle winds up in the same state as ...

What is a VIN clone?

VIN Cloning. The most common method of vehicle or auto fraud, VIN cloning involves taking a VIN from a similar, legally registered vehicle and placing it on damaged or stolen property to hide its identity. This allows criminals to: Evade law enforcement. Sell a stolen vehicle to an unsuspecting buyer.

What is a VIN fraud?

VIN fraud is the act of replacing or altering a vehicle identification number (VIN) in order to mislead consumers or law enforcement. It often occurs in conjunction with vehicle theft. The two most common types of VIN fraud include: VIN cloning: Taking an entire VIN from a legally registered vehicle. VIN altering: Changing one or more characters of ...

What happens if you are a victim of VIN fraud?

The victim of VIN fraud is often unaware of what's happened until their vehicle winds up in the same state as the originally registered vehicle. In most situations, the unknowing new owner of a stolen car or truck incurs the loss of property when authorities are forced to impound the vehicle.

What is a vin altering?

In most states, VIN altering is a felony offense that often results in jail time. VIN altering is defined as as: Knowingly removing a VIN from a vehicle. Destroying a VIN so that it's unreadable. Changing the numbers or characters of a VIN. Any other form of tampering.

Can you sell a stolen car to an unsuspecting buyer?

Sell a stolen vehicle to an unsuspecting buyer. Because it can be hard to detect, VIN cloning has become an increasingly popular low-risk option for criminals seeking to sell stolen property. Car thieves can obtain registered VINs by: Taking a VIN from a registered, recently salvaged vehicle in a junk yard.

3 attorney answers

To answer your question, they may file a police report, however that does not mean that you would be charged with theft. Each state, district, or city prosecuting attorney office makes their own determinations on whether to prosecute an alleged crime from police reports made.

Dorothy G Bunce

It seems like to me they would be committing a crime by making a false police report for auto theft. The best thing to do is contact them and let them know where the car is located so they can get it. Be sure to document in writing (like an email) that the car is ready for pick-up along with its location and your contact information.

2 attorney answers

You have been provided a very thorough answer by my colleague. The last thing you want is to get pulled over in a vehicle that has been reported stolen. Until you get the matter resolved, I would keep a copy of your paperwork in the vehicle. Follow the advice that has been provided to you and seek a resolution. Best of luck to you.

Calvin Alvester Edwards Jr

You are involved in a yo yo what dealer sometimes call spot delivery. The dealer cannot both tell you the financing is approved and also claim it is not and require the return of the car. What bank has approved the loan? . Dealers often do this for folks with questionable credit.