NCJ Number
125147
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 59 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1990) Pages: 8-12
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Tampering with odometers is now recognized as a very serious form of white-collar crime.
Abstract
Odometer tampering involves reducing the high mileage figure on used vehicles and is often accompanied with title laundering. Prime targets are formerly leased, high mileage vehicles that are 1 to 2 years old and still retain a polished appearance. Odometer rollback schemes represent a pervasive fraud that costs consumers billions of dollars annually. The commission of these crimes is not limited to the stereotypical used car dealer and takes a variety of forms, including falsifying titles, altering titles, reassigning titles, and title laundering. Other odometer rollback schemes include odometer clockers, automobile auction houses, and straw dealerships. There are numerous Federal laws applying to the odometer rollback problem. Unfortunately, these crimes can be extremely difficult to detect, investigate, and prosecute. 8 footnotes.