The New York State Division of Motor Automobiles mentioned it helped customers get well greater than $11 million in stolen autos, stolen elements, providers and misplaced titles, in 2024.
In line with the DMV, it recovered 303 stolen autos — valued at $8,353,334 on the time of their theft — and $91,979 in stolen elements final 12 months.
The DMV mentioned it additionally helped customers recoup automobile titles, providers and refunds valued at greater than $3 million from dishonest auto sellers and restore retailers.
Following up on shopper complaints, the DMV took actions towards auto sellers and restore retailers for promoting autos with out disclosing important defects to the client, for charging customers for repairs that have been by no means accomplished, or charging customers for repairs they didn’t want. In complete, DMV mentioned 474 clients have been offered refunds or automobile repairs valued at $1.48 million.
As well as, the DMV helped automobile consumers get well 67 titles for autos valued at greater than $1.56 million when the auto dealerships they purchased them from instantly closed or withheld the title from the rightful proprietor. A certificates of title for a automobile is what establishes an individual or enterprise because the authorized proprietor. And not using a title, a automobile proprietor is unable to switch possession, take away a lien, or present proof of possession essential to take out a mortgage on the automobile or file an insurance coverage declare.
DMV is urging clients to deal solely with registered restore retailers that show inexperienced and white “Registered State of New York Motor Automobile Restore Store” indicators and have a sound DMV registration certificates inside.
In line with the Council on Criminal Justice, nationwide there have been 24% fewer motorized vehicle thefts in 2024 than in 2023. Since 2019, the automobile theft price has declined 12% in New York Metropolis and 47% in Rochester, whereas climbing 13% in Syracuse.
Concerning automobile thefts, DMV warned customers final October concerning the risks of automobile gross sales scams by way of on-line websites like Fb Market, and reminded automobile consumers to be vigilant when buying a automobile on-line.
“We take nice satisfaction in helping clients after they need assistance, whether or not that’s getting a title from a seller that went out of enterprise, working with shoppers and automotive companies to handle points with a restore job, or recovering stolen autos,” DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder mentioned in a press launch.
Serious about Fraud?
Get computerized alerts for this subject.
