RHA warns of possible car-buying scam

The following information was released by Rossmoor Homeowners Association.

The RHA Neighborhood Watch Committee is sending you this alert about what may be a car-buying scam.

Back in the fall of 2011 there were several occurrences of someone leaving handwritten notes on parked cars. The man would leave notes, seemingly at random, on many parked cars with a note that said, “Hi, I would like to buy your car as is. Please call me ASAP.” The note included the man’s phone number and first name only.

Incidents have been reported in the past to the OC Sheriff’s Department. After a few months of no activity, we have reports of notes being left again on the windshields of parked cars. There have been articles in local newspapers and on-line about car-buying scams. These scams may involve receiving an unsolicited offer to buy your car. Often a deal is struck, the car’s owner receives a check for the sale amount and signs over the DMV pink slip, only to find out later that the check has bounced.

While we have no way of knowing the legitimacy of this person’s actions, we are merely offering a cautious warning. According to one website, “The best way to avoid most scams is to make sure you never transfer ownership of your car until you have the cash in your hand. That means you either get cash from the buyer or wait for the cashier’s check to clear. Avoid taking personal checks and allowing buyers to pay the car off over time. The RHA Neighborhood Watch Committee thanks the block captain who reported this.