The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office reports that residents should beware of a recent scam that promises a new car.

Scammers are trying to get your money by asking you to deposit a check in a bank account to get a new car. These are thieves simply trying to get your money.

The Sheriff's Office has received calls about this scam and the best advice... simply hang up the phone and refuse to give your money away to a caller you don't know.

More Car Buying Scams

Another scam Tennessee residents see this time of year revolves around your tax refund and the sell of a real vehicle. As one would imagine, car dealers are fully aware of not only tax refunds, but also stimulus checks, which is why you may see more cars for sale right now than in previous months.

The way this scam plays out... an unethical car dealer posts an ad on CraigsList or FaceBook Marketplace highlighting a vehicle that is currently for sale. The unethical issue comes into light when the dealer purposely makes the ad appear as if they are an individual selling the car and not a licensed car dealer.

This type of a tactic is called "Curbstoning" and Curbstoning is the sale of used vehicles by unlicensed dealers who pretend to be private parties.

The reason a dealer would pretend to be a private party is because the dealer does not have a Tennessee car dealers license. Therefore, the seller acts as if they are selling their personal car to evade the regulations of vehicle dealer requirements. 

The so called customer in these cases is often stuck with damaged, dangerous, or uninsurable vehicles. By the time the buyer figures out they bought a lemon, the ad is removed and sometimes a fake phone number is dropped and the seller is long gone.

Verify a Car Dealers License 

Car buyers are always encouraged to check the states website to make sure they are buying a car from a Tennessee Licensed car dealer. You can verify a dealers license in TN HERE, just click on "Motor Vehicle Dealers."

In Murfreesboro, TN, there are currently just under 90 licensed motor vehicle dealers.