Bought a vehicle from out of state, now dealer is requesting more info from me

[Clay]

Ok, almost 1 month ago my wife and I when to Schaumburg, IL and purchased a used Durango from a Zeigler Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep. Overall it was a good experience, we got the vehicle she wanted, and the price was right.

So last night I get an email from the sales guy that says:

"Hope all is well. I'm writing you because we need three more things from you tofinish the papers on your Durango.
1. VIN verification form (must be the original form filled out by approved inspector from IN).
Attached is a form for VIN verification. You can get one at your DMV as well.
2. Your SS# (even though you went w credit union).
3. Owners Municipality & if its a town, city, or township."

I figured being almost a month out that all paperwork issues have been taken care of. I haven't yet gone to the license branch to register it since I have until 03-05.

Now, I've purchased 1 vehicle from an individual from out of state and had to fill out a VIN verification form, and I've purcahsed a vehicle from a dealer from out of state before but I didn't have to do the VIN verification form or anything else. The only difference is this is the first out of state vehicle I've purchased from a dealer that has a loan.

SO, can anyone shed some light on what exactly might be going on here??

thanks!!
Clay

 

[femurphy77]

Uh. No. SSN, no way.

 

[Clay]

Uh. No. SSN, no way.

they should have already had my SSN once. I already had financing through my local credit union and they told me how much better deal they could get. I let them have at it. I still kept my original financing.

 

[eric001]

This sounds REALLY fishy to me.

All necessary paperwork should have been completed before the vehicle was driven away.

I'd suggest you go ahead and register it just to be sure... maybe ask when you do so if you have to have any additional paperwork HERE.

If not, then perhaps telling the dealership that a long walk and short pier combo should be in their future.

 

[Clay]

This sounds REALLY fishy to me.

exactly why I'm here asking questions!!

 

[SEIndSAM]

Did you pay more than $3K in cash???? If so, I think there is a form they have to fill out that asks for your SSN........ Shooting in the dark here...

 

[Spear Dane]

No SSN, period. If there's a form tell em to mail it to you and you will fill out and submit it.

 

[spec4]

1. Go to BMV and ask what they need to give you IN registration and plates.

2. Armed with this info call dealer and resolve.

 

[femurphy77]

they should have already had my SSN once. I already had financing through my local credit union and they told me how much better deal they could get. I let them have at it. I still kept my original financing.

Exactly why I would not provide it again. Until you can confirm who they are, of course you can always call them directly and probably confirm all of it with a simple call. You already know better than to provide it or you wouldn't be on here asking the question.

My doctors office called me one time wanting my debit card info because they didn't have it on file as they thought. Innocent enough and probably legit since I had been in there a couple of days prior but they called from a number I didn't have them listed under. I politely declined "because I was busy" and promised to call back shortly which I did using a number I had on file for them. I then explained to them what I had done and she apologized for causing me a problem. No problem, just being careful.

 

[BiscuitsandGravy]

I purchased my A6 from Chicago last summer and the dealer used a 3rd party clearing house to process the title work to the IN BMV. A major PITA. I waited almost 60 days with some heated emails. Way passed the paper plate. The BMV said it was all legit. I didn't know states were requiring the 3rd party. I believe its due to collecting sales tax properly.

I hope it works out for you. My only suggestion is to stay on their arse.

A major gripe I had was no where was it disclosed about the 3rd party processor.

Edit: Since you are helping me remember that nightmare... the 3rd party f'd some of it up and I had to send part of the paper work again all via Fedex back and forth.

 

[1DOWN4UP]

Did you pay more than $3K in cash???? If so, I think there is a form they have to fill out that asks for your SSN........<img src="https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Dunno" smilieid="418" class="inlineimg"> Shooting in the dark here...

This is the only thing I would think would apply,but I think the level is more now.If it $10,000 or more,a Form 8300 has to be filled out.

 

[churchmouse]

Have you called these people and actually spoken with someone in authority over there...???

 

[Clay]

Did you pay more than $3K in cash???? If so, I think there is a form they have to fill out that asks for your SSN........ Shooting in the dark here...

yes

Have you called these people and actually spoken with someone in authority over there...???

No. They called and left a message on my phone and then sent me that email. It was the same sales guy I delt with through the whole process. I'm not in any hurry right now. I plan to go to the BMV today, tomorrow, or Friday. I figure I can talk with them about it and see if they know what the issue might be.

 

[edporch]

When I bought a car from out of state, I had to have the police in Indiana run the VIN# to confirm it wasn't stolen and they filled out a form I had stating this.
Then I had to provide this form along with the out of state Title to the Indiana BMV to get the Indiana Title in my name.

I never had to give the seller my SS#.
They just needed my address to know where to mail the out of state Title to me.

 

[Thegeek]

It's all BS paperwork to make sure taxes get paid.

 

[jgressley2003]

Sounds like a scam, if you have any questions I'd call the dealership and speak to the salesperson. Most likely it's not them that sent the email to you.

 

[Cameramonkey]

It hasnt been mentioned, but if it turns out you do need to provide your SSN, call them and give it to them over the phone. DO NOT EMAIL A SSN OR CC#!!!!!!

Email is not a secured service, and is sometimes transmitted across the interwebs unencrypted. Someone between you and them could possibly see it and record it. There are automated systems out there run by bad guys that do nothing but look for SSNs and credit cards based on pattern matching. I admin a server that will actually use that tech to prevent that PII from leaking out of our system. You'd be surprised how many people try to email a SSN or CC#. I talk to at least one person a month that complains that their email wont send. And I'm not the primary support person; who knows how many times my helpdesk takes those calls and doesnt have to escalate it to me.

General rule of thumb: if you would panic and start researching identity theft protection services if the info in the message were to somehow end up on a billboard next to the highway, dont send it via email.

 

[PistolBob]

Tell them nothing in email. Pretend you didn't get it. If they really need something, they can mail it to you...US mail. Not Gmail.

 

[GregD]

There is a new scam every day!

 

[HoughMade]

Buying a car in Illinois and bringing it to Indiana to register is more complex than most people think. I think it is probably letgitimate, but don't respond by e-mail. Call the dealership and see what they really need from you. That way, at least you know that you are talking to the dealership...because you called them. I bought a little Saturn wagon in Libertyville and it ws a pain to get straightened out.