Cash for Clunkers already spawns bogus rip-off websites on clarkhoward.com

The Cash for Clunkers program has already spawned its fair share of potential rip-offs online.

Unofficial websites are masquerading as the official Cash for Clunkers portal, according to an Associated Press report. These bogus sites will solicit personal information such as your Social Security number for supposed pre-registration…and then turn around and use it to steal your identity or money.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar, Cash for Clunkers is a new federal program offering rebates of up to $4,500 for trade-ins when you purchase a newer fuel-efficient vehicle.

Remember, CARS.gov is the only official website out there!

What others are saying

santander usa finance
this company ripp off i ve paying over 3 years my balance is still 17000.00 always made extra 90.00 per month it look I never pay extra also they veen cahrge 20 for late fee when mature day is on 9 each month but I still have 16 charge me anwhere
By gladys @ 09/28/09 04:05:43 PMreport abuse
Watch Out For Dealer Rip-Offs!!!!!
IMPORTANT!
WATCH OUT FOR DEALER RIP-OFFS!!
READ before you SIGN ANYTHING!!

Here's ANOTHER man's story (today):

I have a perfect "clunker" fot the program. My old, dependable V6 4x4. At 15 mpg and 172k miles, I thought I would (for the first time ever) get a new car, by taking advantage of the CFC program.

Struck a deal for a new 4-cyl Subaru, and while signing the paperwork, they tried to slip me a little "contract" they concocted for themselves at the dealership:

NOT part of the official fed paperwork for the CFC program (just tucked in with it) was a form that makes ME completely liable for the $4,500 CFC deal, if for any reason, the dealer isn't paid.

Huh? THAT is between the dealer, and the Feds. It's up to THEM to dot all the "i's" and cross all the "t's" in a timely fashion. How can I be held responsible for THEIR actions, AFTER the deal is done?

I'm well qualified, and verified, etc. The only thing that could POSSIBLY go wrong, would be between the dealer and feds.

I may not be all that bright, but a person would have to be a blooming IDIOT to sign something like that.

After 6 hours at the dealership, I had to walk out WITHOUT a new car, and with a VERY bad taste in my mouth.

At 50 years of age, I have NEVER owned a new car. I thought this would be my ONE opportunity to do so.

I'm no longer interested, and frankly, I don't care now if I ever own a new vehicle. I've been perfectly happy paying cash for clunkers MYSELF.

Be very careful what you sign, people.

-Berk
By Berk @ 08/12/09 12:03:01 AMreport abuse
[CARS] Cash for clunkers
Clark,
I have not heard it mention that consumer should negotiate the best deal on a new vehicle first and then let the dealer know that they will be doing the cash for clunker program. If not it leaves from for dealers to play games.
By Charles @ 07/24/09 04:53:06 AMreport abuse
Major problem here
Where on earth is the government getting their MPG figures to say who qualifies?

I planned on taking advantage of this, my 2000 mustang gets around 16MPG with just about every tank, it always has and I'm sure it always will. I thought, great, 18mpg cut off, new car, here I come.

But, I went onto the website and they claim my car gets 21 mpg. What, according to Ford who sold the crap car? Asking the seller how well something works is about as good a way to do it as, well, asking a used car salesman how well a car runs.

Is anyone with something besides a pickup or an SUV going to be able to qualify?
By Gabe @ 07/14/09 03:07:11 PMreport abuse
Purring 1980 Ford Fairmont
Why do cars over 25 years old not qualify for this program? This is like telling a senior citizen he or she is too old for Social Security
By Conspicuous Nonconsumer @ 07/14/09 12:54:18 AMreport abuse
Cash For Clunkers
The federal government has tens of thousands of Flex Fuel vehicles. Your typical one is a Dodge Caravan with a 3.3 liter engine that runs on gas or E85 ethanol. Does this count as a clunker since it only gets 14 mpg on E85? Or is it not a clunker since it get 20 mpg on gas?
By CHi CHi @ 07/13/09 07:07:14 PMreport abuse
Parts can be recycled
One of the later posts says it's a shame that computers, airbags, etc can't be recycled because the govt requires the car to be crushed. That poster is mistaken: only the drivetrain (engine and transmission) is required to be crushed. Other parts can be recycled in the junkyard.
By Walt @ 07/13/09 02:00:32 PMreport abuse
Cash for Clunkers
The way I see it is that if your car is worth more than $3,500, the program would be of no use to you, because you could get more 'credit' with an actual trade-in.

Im my case, I have a 1977 Pontiac with 'zero' value, so the progam would work for me!
By Jack Yeazel @ 07/13/09 12:45:51 PMreport abuse
Follow-up to previous posting "Stupid"
Follow-up to my previous email regarding Hyundai and the warning lights on the dashboard. Because Hyundai was starting the program before the final rules were released it was Hyundai who decided to be careful about the cars being turned in. It was their policy to reject a clunker that has warning lights lit on the dashboard. Hyundai called me last night and said they were now ready to take my clunker with the airbag light lit. I bought the Hyundai Sonata GLS automatic with popular package. It came with a $3000 manufacturer rebate. That coupled with my $3500 clunker voucher and I walked out the door tax, tag and title paying only $14,157.93. UNBELIEVEABLE!!! Folks should be flexible on the make and model they choose so they can get the best combined voucher/mfr rebate deal. Best place to check is Zag.com. Dealers don't like internet shoppers. The Zag price on the Sonata was $1000 off dealer invoice. Participating dealers have to accept that price. Hyundai wasn't on my radar, but they've come a long way in terms of quality and they have the absolute best warranty, 60 months 60,000 miles bumper to bumper and 10 year 100,000 power train. CAN'T BEAT THAT!
By Robert @ 07/07/09 08:18:47 AMreport abuse
Stupid Program
Well, this kind of government is what America voted for. My van qualifies but I hate the thought that the government requires it to be shredded. So the expensive parts like airbags, abs, or the computers in the car can't be recycled? What a waste! How Foolish!
By otter @ 07/05/09 08:23:49 PMreport abuse
Waste of Tax Money
This program is another giant waste of taxpayer money. It is yet another nail in our nation's econmic coffin.
If these vehicles are working they should continue to be used by people. This just spends tax payers' money to destroy good vehicles, encourages people to go deeper in debt for a new one and creates a whole new govenment beauocracy. It is a shame that Clark Howard spoke positively of this piece-of-crap legislation. Clark wants everyone driving a knees-to-your-chest econobox. And he is not shy about supporting programs that spend your tax money to make you behave the way he wants you to. After you get behind the PR, this penny pincher is no penny pincher at all. He is a busy body control freak.
By Buzz G @ 07/05/09 09:18:16 AMreport abuse
STUPID
Hyundai decides to jump ahead of everyone and start the program now. I was at the local dealer on Sat and was just about done when the dealer came in and said there was a problem with my clunker. Get ready for this because it's about as stupid as you can get and when you're talking about our gov't it comes as no surprise. My clunker qualified in all areas as far as it's drivable and under 18 MPG, but because the airbag light was on the rules say it doesn't qualify. So, I have to get my airbag issue fixed before the gov't will take it to the shredder. HOW STUPID IS THAT? If any of your dashboard lights are on like the ABS light or check engine light then the car won't qualify. So they want you to get your brakes fixed on a car that will never be on the road again and it's ultimately going to the shredder. STUPID STUPID STUPID, but hey, it's how our gov't works. BTW, the Hyundai Sonata comes with a $3000 rebate so when you add that to the voucher you can get in a new Sonata for under 14K. Use Zag.com for pricing. Also, Hyundai's come with a standard 60 month 60,000 mile warranty. Can't beat that. Now if I can get my Senators and Congressman involved with correcting this stupid dashboard light requirement I'll be set.
By Robert @ 07/05/09 08:54:55 AMreport abuse
Cash for Clunkers
When I read all the details, I am concerned:
* In general, most Americans that trade the clunker will get a very small difference because their trade in will be scrap instead of actual trade in. *The tax payer will be paying for something that really is not financially advantageous to the person trading the clunker, more net neutral for them
*The value of trade-in's will plummet which will result in more money needed up front to purchase a new/newer car after the cash for clunker or when cash for clunker is not an option
*The Gov't Site for new small trucks has MPG rates way lower then the manufacturer stated MPG which eliminates trading on most trucks, especially if 4WD
*So, if you need a truck, forget it
*Just not well thought out OR it is just another way to try to change our behavior to get us to do what the gov't wants, but not just coming out and saying that
*If it was really legit to replace older vehicles that had older standards, they would have more accurate MPG for the new smaller trucks that match the manufacturer.
*I looked up my vehicle which is AWD and they have 18 MPG. I have driven it for 6 years and I get 23 City and 27 Highway!!!! Explain that to me!
By Donna @ 06/30/09 06:07:19 PMreport abuse
insured
Nope has to be insured in the owners name...
I have a 1993 Bonneville that gets less then 10MPG but it doesn't qualify because according to the govt New Avg MPG it should get 20 MPG which is over the 18 MPG specified by govt.
By mshipester @ 06/30/09 04:37:41 PMreport abuse
insured
i wonder if it was insured by the person you bought it from...as long as it was tagged and insured for a year and not sitting in a junkyard it should qualify...getting proof the previous owner had insurance on it might be hard after the fact.
By Dave @ 06/30/09 01:57:35 PMreport abuse
It's a shame they're requiring 12 mos of continuous coverage. I just bought my car last Christmas (didn't have a vehicle for 3 mos prior to that). By the time Nov 2009 cutoff rolls around, I still won't have 12 mos of continuous coverage to trade this car in. Oh well...
By SL @ 06/30/09 10:23:24 AMreport abuse

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Jun 29, 2009 -- Cash for Clunkers already spawns bogus rip-off websites

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