RIP-OFF ALERT: In the wake of this season's hurricanes, you can expect to see flood cars deluging the auto market, according to Money magazine.

Here's the bottom-line: Dishonest people take flood vehicles into certain states where they can "wash" a car's title. That action removes any evidence that the vehicle was ever in a flood. Cars with "washed" titles can then be sold to any dealership across the country that either doesn't know or doesn't care that they're buying a flood vehicle.

To the naked eye, there's no telling that anything is amiss. But you'll know you've got a flood car when you encounter failed electrical systems throughout the vehicle.

So what can you do to protect yourself? Have any potential used auto purchase carefully vetted by a mechanic of your choosing. Know that most car dealers are honest, but it never hurts to be safe. Get it inspected by a mechanic as a condition of purchase.