Unclaimed Property

March 27, 2023 By

Texas is currently holding about $7 billion in cash and other valuables waiting for their
rightful owners to claim. The Texas Comptroller estimates that one in four residents of the State
of Texas has unclaimed property. Examples of unclaimed property include dividend, payroll, or
cashier’s checks; stocks, bonds, and mutual fund accounts; utility deposits and other refunds;
insurance proceeds; mineral interest or royalty payments; dormant bank accounts; and
abandoned safe deposit box contents.

The Texas Comptroller’s office receives unclaimed property as required by law from
financial institutions, businesses, and government entities that are holding personal property
which is considered abandoned or unclaimed. The unclaimed or abandoned property is turned
over to the Comptroller’s office when the property owners’ whereabouts are unknown, and the
property has been inactive on the books of the reporting company after the necessary
abandonment period has expired. It is important to know that the Comptroller’s office acts only
as a custodian of the unclaimed property and holds the property in trust until such time as it can
be claimed. Texas does not take legal ownership of unclaimed property, so there is no time
limit for filing a claim.

Over the past several years, the Texas Comptroller has traveled around the state to bring
public attention to the billions in unclaimed property being held by the State of Texas. In fiscal
year 2022, the agency paid a record $309 million in claims. This is important because since the
unclaimed property program began, the Comptroller’s office returned more than $4 billion worth
of unclaimed property.

In order to make the process of claiming your property easier, the Comptroller’s office
has outlined a number of recent features on their website to help enable the process. The website
is regularly updated with new property that has been received by their office. To find out if you
are one of these Texas residents with unclaimed property, I strongly recommend that you check
the unclaimed property list by visiting Texas Unclaimed Property at https://claimittexas.org/ or
by calling 800-321-2274 (CASH).

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article,
please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my
office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to
contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time
to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office,
361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at
todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, Charities, corpus christi, Hurricane Relief, Packery Channel, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, spring cleaning, Todd Hunter

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT FEBRUARY 2023

March 16, 2023 By

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Housing Report for February 2023. Our active listing median prices have risen the past month to $410,250 this past month which is 6.3& above where it was compared to last February at this time!
CCAR continues to show us the data that shows active listings rising 26.3 % with a total of 144 properties this past month while inventory Has stayed steady at 2.8 compared to 1.0 last year during the month of February.

Days on the market for sale are climbing a bit from last month an average of 80 days on the market and the highest category for sales with 37.5% of all the sales being priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is keeping pace as we move into Spring. The Consumer Price Index declined from 6.4% to 6% in the last 12 months ending in February, continuing an eight-month trend of declining annual inflation. The FED meets next week to decide whether they will move the rate again to continue to fight inflation this year. The Spring Housing market is underway, and we are anticipating a very busy season.

Cheri Sperling is the owner of Coastline Properties with a dedicated team of agents specializing in residential listings, sales, and property management in the Padre Island real estate market. Coastline’s team is the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and an intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

 

Padre Island February 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-housing-report-february-2023

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Corpus Christi Foreclosures, Investment Property, New Homes Padre Island, port aransas, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, Uncategorized

BBB Tip: Top 5 Coastal Bend-area scams of 2022

March 12, 2023 By

In 2022, Coastal Bend-area consumers and businesses reported multiple scams to BBB,
totaling $30,000 lost for the year. Across Texas, BBB received an average of 250 scam
reports per month totaling $1.9 million lost for the year. While the tactics of scammers
often shift to take advantage of marketplace trends, online shopping, employment and
phishing scams are the most common types of scams reported to BBB from Texas residents,
accounting for 49% of all scams submitted to the organization for the year.

To help Coastal Bend-area residents avoid scams in 2023, BBB analyzed scam reports
submitted by consumers with local zip codes to determine the top five prevailing scams in
2022 and provides a few tips on how to avoid them moving into the new year
Online Purchase
Share of reports: 22%
Amount lost: $9,795

Online purchase scams in Coastal Bend vary across a wide range of products, with some
consumers losing over $1,000 on a single interaction. Online pet scams are particularly
impactful in the area, with residents encountering fraudulent sellers when attempting to
purchase Dachshunds, Corgis and Goldendoodles. In most cases, buyers are directed to
send payment through an online payment system such as Zelle or PayPal. Other items
residents attempted to purchase include ammunition, clothes and automotive parts.

To avoid online purchase scams, BBB recommends:
 Avoid too-good-to-be-true deals.
 Use credit cards for online transactions.
 Look up reviews on other websites.
 Check and verify there are multiple methods of contact such as a working telephone
number and a real physical address.
Employment
Share of reports: 12%
Amount lost: $4,950

Employment scams often impersonate well-known and reputable businesses when
contacting their victims. While these scams do not often result in a loss of money, the
sensitive information provided to a potential employer places the applicant at an increased
risk of experiencing identity theft. Scammers often entice applicants for the position by
offering high wages, flexible hours and remote working opportunities. They often claim they
will pay for the applicant to purchase materials to set up their home office or other work-
related expenses. In the Coastal Bend area, most reports revolve around car wrap, package
reshipment or clerical and data entry positions.

To avoid employment scams, BBB recommends:
 Beware of unsolicited or immediate job offers and rushed interview processes.
 Insist on communicating with the hiring manager outside of email or text.
 Verify the position is open by checking the official job board for the company.
 Do not deposit suspicious or overpaid checks, and do not send money back due to
overpayment through gift cards, a wire transfer or other nontraditional methods.
Sweepstakes/Prize/Lottery
Share of reports: 6%
Amount lost: $106

Recently, reports of sweepstakes, prize and lottery scams revolve around supposed winners
of the Texas, national or other state’s lottery offering some of their winnings to strangers
using ‘pay-it-forward’ messaging. To claim the winnings, the recipient is directed to a
website where they input personal information so a check can be mailed to them. Other
versions of this scam reported in the Coastal Bend area include free products, such as
construction equipment or other gifts, in exchange for taking a survey, as well as free travel
packages. Victims who provide money do so under the impression they are paying for taxes,
processing or other fees – something a legitimate sweepstakes company does not require.

To avoid sweepstakes, prize or lottery scams, BBB recommends:
 Do not provide any payment for a supposedly ‘free’ gift.
 Be especially wary of any emails from a lottery winner who is dividing their winnings
across multiple people.
 It is uncommon to be selected as the winner of a sweepstakes that you did not
enter. Verify how you were entered into the drawing and how they obtained your
contact information.
 It is unlikely to be awarded a high-end or expensive item for taking a single survey.
Trust your instincts and avoid too-good-to-be-true offers.
Counterfeit Product
Share of reports: 4%
Amount lost: $227

Fraudulent and unethical businesses often capitalize on the popularity of name-brand items
by offering products similar in appearance or name. When the item is received, the buyer is
often left with an item that is of significantly less quality than expected and may not even
appear the same as what was pictured in the advertisement. Some of the most
counterfeited brands include Nike, Beats, LEGO, NFL and Tiffany jewelry. One Coastal Bend
resident reported receiving an obvious counterfeit item when attempting to purchase
Seresto flea and tick collars online.

To avoid counterfeit products, BBB recommends:
 Be cautious of name-brand products advertised at a fraction of their typical price at
an authorized retailer.
 Pay close attention to the name of the product. For example, Beats by Dr. Dre is not
the same as Beats by Dre.
 Beware of look-alike websites and double-check the URL domain and subdomain are
accurate. Scammers often switch these to confuse buyers.
 Read product reviews and research the business on multiple sources. Keep in mind
that product testimonials on a business’s website can be fabricated.
Phishing
Share of reports: 4%
Amount lost: $600

Phishing scams are one of the oldest and most adaptable strategies used to obtain sensitive
information from businesses and consumers. Often, these manifest as emails or texts from
someone claiming to represent the fraud prevention department for a well-known company
such as Amazon, Netflix or your local bank or utility company. They will often direct you to a
link or website to verify your account details, but in reality, that information is being
collected for their own purposes. Phishing scams continue to become more sophisticated
and often include look-alike websites that makes detecting them even more challenging. In
the Coastal Bend area, the most common businesses used in a phishing scam include USPS
and local banks.

To avoid phishing scams, BBB recommends:
 Avoid clicking on any links provided in email and text.
 Verify account security by going directly to the official website or using an official
app.
 Understand company or agency policies regarding what personal information they
will ask for over email or phone.
 Remain calm when contacted about a potential account compromise and be wary of
claims threatening immediate arrest, additional fines or impacts on your credit.
If you have been a victim of a scam, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Information
provided may prevent another person

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, cybersecurity, New Homes Padre Island, property taxes, Scam Alert, spring cleaning

March is National Nutrition Month

March 2, 2023 By

March is National Nutrition Month which is an annual campaign created by the Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics. I would like to discuss the importance of making informed food
choices by developing sound eating habits and through physical activity. Texas has been helpful
in promoting good nutrition for our citizens.

Since Texas has a diverse geography, this means that bountiful amounts of naturally
grown foods that are delicious and wholesome can be found throughout our state. Our farmers
grow nutritious vegetables and fruits in our well-kept Texas soils which allows for these foods to
have healthy amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that our bodies need to
function properly. Specific foods rich in these nutrients are broccoli, blueberries, spinach,
cauliflower, tomatoes, peaches, squash, onions, tree nuts (pecans, almonds, etc.), oranges,
pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and many more. To learn more about Texan-grown products visit:
http://gotexan.org/Home.aspx.

However, there is not a one-size- fits all approach to nutrition and health but there are
some major ingredients and processed foods to avoid. The most prominent food to steer clear is
added sugar. Foods with added sugar are often highly caloric and have harmful effects on our
organs. Additionally, foods with high fructose corn syrup and other artificial sweeteners have
been linked to severe health problems like obesity, cardiovascular (heart) disease and type two
diabetes. However, these sweeteners can be replaced with products such as raw honey or stevia
which are better alternatives to use in baking or iced/hot tea and coffee.

Another food group to be cautious with is artificial trans fats, also known as partially
hydrogenated oils. Trans fats have been linked with raising bad cholesterol and lowering good
cholesterol. This can lead to health risks such as high blood pressure which can cause poor blood
circulation in our bodies. The regular consumption of trans fats have also been shown to lead to
diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and obesity.

Taking advantage of all the wonderful whole foods our state has to offer is beneficial in
many ways because making smarter nutritional choices can go a long way. To learn more about
nutrition visit: https://www.nutrition.gov/. In addition to this, you can visit the Texas Department
of Agriculture's website at https://www.texasagriculture.gov/Home.aspx. For more information
about National Nutrition Month and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, please visit:
https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article,
please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my
office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to
contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time
to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office,
361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at
todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Eagle Ford Shale, Harbor Bridge, Hurricane Aide, Hurricane Relief, New Homes Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, property taxes, Todd Hunter

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – JANUARY 2023

February 21, 2023 By

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Housing Report for January 2023. Our active listing median prices have stayed very stable through the holidays at $370,000 this past month which is exactly where it was compared to last January at this time!
CCAR continues to show us the data that shows active listings rising 25.7 % with a total of 132 properties this past month while inventory Has stayed steady at 2.6 compared to 1.8 last year during the month of Janaury.

Days on the market for sale have had a slight rise to an average of 63 days on the market and the highest category for sales with 37.5% of all the sales was priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is still holding up quite well for the beginning of the year as we head toward Spring Break. CPI Data has shown inflation is still lowering, and the fed still seems committed to getting inflation down to 2% and continues to signal more .25 basis points likely coming by the first quarter of 2023.

Soon, the spring housing market will begin, and we’ll probably want to know what to anticipate. The home market in 2023 might feel more like a nobody’s market after several years of a clear sellers’ market. More buyer advantages and slower home sales are something we anticipate. On the economic front, supply chain problems have started to get better and should keep getting better in the coming year. As interest rates and inflation reduce disposable income, we can anticipate the following five to six months to be sluggish. But the flooring and home improvement sectors will experience tremendous growth over the next five to six years.

Cheri Sperling is the owner of Coastline Properties with a dedicated team of agents specializing in residential listings, sales, and property management in the Padre Island real estate market. Coastline’s team is the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and an intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

 

Padre Island January 2023 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-housing-report-november-2022

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, cybersecurity, Investment Property, Mortgages, New Homes Padre Island, property taxes, Real Time MLS, selling a home

Real Estate Scammers on Social Media

February 15, 2023 By

In the news A Coastal Bend real estate agent spoke about a recent scam on social media.

There are criminals targeting renters and future homeowners through Facebook Marketplace.

We are seeing sales listings that they are scraping from zillow, trulia and personal websites being targeted by a scammer claiming to be the homeowner.

When realtors list home photos and details about the house become public, so it’s easy for scammers to steal them and put them on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

The scammer has the tendency to attract interested people by posting the property with a very attractive rate where people will see it and be very eager to take action and contact the poster. They use very persuasive language creating urgency for buyers to act fast.

Its prime season for scammers, so if you are in the market for a new home, make sure to look out for red flags and double check a listing you may see on Facebook or Craigslist with other sites before you inquire about it.

The scammer usually does not answer phone calls, they push you to contact them through email or text.  They are very aggressive with trying to get deposits from you as well. They don’t want to let you see the house, which is a super red flag. So please report incidents like this directly when you see it taking place.

It’s always best to do your homework before renting or buying, ask the right questions, and if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. He suggests if you do see an ad like this, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can check the legitimacy for you.  Let’s all look out for each other!

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, New Homes Padre Island, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, rentals, selling a home

THE GULF COAST’S NEWEST LUXURY MASTER-PLANNED DESTINATION COMMUNITY IS COMING TO PADRE ISLAND

February 2, 2023 By

whitcap-project-padre-island-ashlar-development

DOWNLOAD FULL DETAILS ON WHITECAP NPI PROJECT (CLICK HERE) 

It’s a done deal! The roughly 240-acre master-planned community of Whitecap North Padre Island has received unanimous approval from the Corpus Christi City Council (NPI). Over 600 residential residences and homesites are planned for this $800 million development, along with more than 50 acres for a town center, a nature preserve, and other amenities.

Between the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre, Whitecap NPI is a unique refuge that encourages enjoyment of and access to natural wildlife, including Kemp Ridley Sea Turtles and more than 380 migratory, over-wintering, and resident bird species.

This legacy project is being developed by Ashlar Development LLC and is owned by Diamond Beach Holdings, a fully owned subsidiary of International Bancshares Corporation.

Whitecap will be a unique and exciting new development that offers a water-centric way of life, modern, fresh house designs, and a thriving retail and commercial center within the neighborhood. Anywhere in the United States, the combined ambiance created by this once-in-a-lifetime concept will embody the next chapter in coastal culture. According to Steve Yetts, president of Ashlar Development, “It is destined to become the most prominent coastal community on the Texas Coast, if not the entire country.”

Whitecap NPI, which features coastal contemporary architecture everywhere, will raise the bar for seaside living. The residences are situated on island enclaves, providing distinctive neighborhoods connected to the rest of the community by bridges and pathways, many of which include canal access for boating and water sports.

The Whitecap NPI community is anticipated to have amenities like kayaking, paddle boarding, activity centers, pools, a nature preserve with walking trails, multimodal paths with golf cart access, a proposed luxury marina with state-of-the-art dry-stack boat storage, and a public town center with a planned resort-style hotel, shops, and restaurants, as we can see. The community is focused on scenic waterfront living, boardwalks, green space, and easy access to more than 52 acres of canals.

The Whitecap community will serve as a catalyst for economic activity on both the island and the mainland, according to Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo. All locals will benefit from the new and expanded services, the better water quality and infrastructure, the bridge access for boats and walkers, and the large city revenue that will result from this high-quality development.

The Whitecap NPI site, which is on one of the longest undeveloped barrier islands, is essential to the prairies and marshes along the Gulf Coast where the nearby waters serve as a vital habitat for marine and terrestrial plants and animals throughout the year.

“IBC Bank has a long history of supporting South Texas by making investments there. We are dedicated to making Whitecap NPI a premier neighborhood in Corpus Christi and the surrounding area. We have always understood the significance of this site and how it might lead to favorable changes for Corpus Christi and North Padre Island. IBC Bank’s Director of Public Affairs Jennifer Hoff remarked, “As a result, we have been very cautious to build an engaging community where nature can balance itself alongside development for the long-term benefit of the environment, people, and visitors.

The infrastructure and canal network connecting the beach to the bay, which will serve as the community’s basis, are now being built. In the first quarter of 2023, there will be an opportunity to reserve lots by visiting http://www.whitecaplivingnpi.com

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, Better Business Bureau, Palmilla Beach Resort and Golf Club, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, Water Exchange Bridge, Whitecap Development Project

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PASS RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT A 2nd BRIDGE TO PADRE ISLAND

January 24, 2023 By

The commissioners of Nueces County on Wednesday approved a resolution endorsing the building of a second bridge to Padre Island.

The second bridge’s location has not yet been made public.

TxDOT would be required to assist with the enormous project, which Mayor Paulette Guajardo estimated might cost up to $1 billion.

Brent Chesney, the commissioner for Nueces County’s Pct. 4, remarked, “It’s all about TxDOT, right?” “Because TxDOT has funding for projects, we need to move up the financing list. We need to go on even though we’re probably already behind other areas that require second causeways.”

The decision made on Wednesday is simply the beginning of the process, though.

Article Excerpt continued on KIIITV >>>>

 

Filed Under: Barefoot Mardi Gras, BeachWalk Development, chamber of commerce, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi city council, Harbor Bridge, Holiday Parties, Hurricane Relief, Mortgages, mustang island, Packery Channel

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – DECEMBER 2022

January 15, 2023 By

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Housing Report for December 2022. Our active listing median prices have slightly dipped to $353,250 this past month which is a fall of 3.8% compared to last December at this time!
CCAR continues to show us the data that shows active listings rising 36 % with a total of 136 properties this past month while inventory Has a slight decline to 2.6 compared to 1.7 last year during the month of December.

Days on the market for sale have slightly fallen to an average of 50 days on the market and the highest category for sales with 32.3% of all the sales was priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is holding steady which is normal after the Holidays. CPI Data has shown inflation is still lowering, and the fed still seems committed to getting inflation down to 2% and continue to signal more rate hikes to come.

Coastline Properties has been weathering the conditions of different markets since 1995. Prices are falling as more properties enter the market.A survey by Homes USA shows that new home prices have decreased recently.

The adjustment occurs in the midst of a market slump brought on by increased mortgage rates and the earlier increase in prices. Builders are therefore providing greater incentives to purchasers in an effort to enhance sales as inventory rises and new homes take longer to sell.

Real estate company HomesUSA, based in Dallas, analyzes data from multiple listing services and three-month averages for sales, pricing, active listings, and other metrics. This previous week saw a low in mortgage application volume as high mortgage rates continued to harm the housing market.

In 2021, new homes weren’t being added to the MLS since they were selling so quickly. The demand for homes was at its highest and most intense from spring 2020 through spring 2022. The patterns we are currently observing indicate that the local slowdown in new house sales might not just be a seasonal blip. Construction is being curtailed by builders as the market weakens. The houses you can currently see were started when the market was different. You can observe the results of those who entered into contracts only to have to cancel them when interest rates increased.

Soon, the spring housing market will begin, and we’ll probably want to know what to anticipate. The home market in 2023 might feel more like a nobody’s market after several years of a clear sellers’ market. More buyer advantages and slower home sales are something we anticipate. On the economic front, supply chain problems have started to get better and should keep getting better in the coming year. As interest rates and inflation reduce disposable income, we can anticipate the following five to six months to be sluggish. But the flooring and home improvement sectors will experience tremendous growth over the next five to six years.

Cheri Sperling is the owner of Coastline Properties with a dedicated team of agents specializing in residential listings, sales, and property management in the Padre Island real estate market. Coastline’s team is the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and an intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

 

Padre Island December 2022 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-housing-report-november-2022

Filed Under: buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Corpus Christi Foreclosures, corpus christi jobs, home maintenance, Investment Property, Mortgages, mustang island, New Homes Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, padre island events, selling a home, Water Exchange Bridge

BBB Tip: Buying a car online

January 6, 2023 By

The ability to purchase goods and services online has permanently changed how countless industries conduct business.
The days of high-pressure sales tactics and price haggling are
largely in the past, as online marketplaces allow buyers to comparatively shop for the best
deal on the product they want across hundreds or thousands of sellers. Particularly when
purchasing expensive items, such as automobiles, online marketplaces allow buyers to
carefully evaluate advertised prices and compare them to other dealers.
However, interacting with an online marketplace does come with inherent risks, especially
when dealing with a private seller. BBB Scam Tracker receives multiple reports of
misrepresentative or fraudulent car purchasing scams every year, with often disastrous
results for the victim.

Fort Worth: Earlier in 2022, one Arlington-area resident reported encountering an online
seller who claimed to be deployed overseas and was selling their vehicle for $10,000. The
seller stated the vehicle would be shipped through a shipping company that did not exist,
and the address they provided was for a completely different company. When checking the
website of the shipping company, it claimed the business has been in operation since 1997,
but the website was registered in 2021 to a different company. With this information, the
buyer walked away from the transaction and reported their experience to Better Business
Bureau.

Austin/Waco/Bryan: In October, one active-duty military member stationed at Fort Hood
reported encountering an online seller who claimed their husband had passed away and was
selling his truck for $24,500. All transactions for the purchase would go through a provided
shipping company. The first red flags began to appear when the company would not provide
any requested information such as VIN numbers, accident report, owner history and would
only communicate via email and wire transfers. Suspicions raised, the buyer stated they,
“called the office number attached to the building’s location to find out they have no clue
who the company is and appreciate the information about a false company using their
location.”

Permian Basin: In October, one active-duty military member stationed at a Texas base
reported encountering an online seller who claimed their husband had passed away and was
selling his truck for $24,500. All transactions for the purchase would go through a provided
shipping company. The first red flags began to appear when the company would not provide
any requested information such as VIN numbers, accident report, owner history and would
only communicate via email and wire transfers. Suspicions raised, the buyer stated they,
“called the office number attached to the building’s location to find out they have no clue
who the company is and appreciate the information about a false company using their
location.”

San Antonio/Corpus Christi: In June, one South Texas resident found an online seller
advertising a 4X4 Jeep for $1,200 which claimed the vehicle was in McAllen, Texas. When
the buyer said they would travel to pick up the Jeep and pay the money, the seller suddenly
changed the story and said it was in Missouri. To purchase, the buyer was directed to
deposit the money in an unfamiliar account and the seller stated the vehicle had previously
been owned by a family member that had sadly passed away. Unfortunately, emotional
appeals like this are an all-too-common tactic of scammers.

If you are considering buying a car online, BBB recommends the following tips to
help you avoid getting scammed and get the best deal possible:
Set a budget. Before you set out to find the perfect car, it is important to establish a
budget. You will also want to factor in monthly expenses that come with owning a vehicle,
including insurance payments, fuel, parking, and routine maintenance and repairs. A clearly
defined budget will make choosing a vehicle, negotiating with a dealer, and getting a loan
much easier.

Do thorough research. Once you have narrowed your search, compare models you are
interested in keeping a close eye on safety ratings, owner reviews, and warranties. Visit
manufacturer websites to see detailed images of each car and research MPG statistics,
interior options, cargo space, towing capacity, and more. The additional time you spend on
these initial steps, the more comfortable you will feel when making a purchase.
Shop for a deal. These may include cash-back deals, rebates, low-interest financing
options, or incentives for recent graduates, military veterans, Uber and Lyft drivers, or first
responders. In addition, many dealers are willing to make price cuts on previous year
models or any model that did not sell as well as expected. Purchasing one of these surplus
vehicles can mean extra incentives from the dealer.

Speak with internet sales managers. When you find a car you are interested in, it is
time to get in touch with an internet sales manager. During your initial conversations, focus
on what car you want, whether they have it in stock or can get it, and how much they will
sell it for. If you are considering purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle, now is the time to
ask for a copy of the vehicle history report.

Test drive the vehicle. You should always take a test drive before you sign the final
paperwork. There is no substitute for seeing a car in person, looking under the hood, sitting
in the driver’s seat, and making sure the engine runs smoothly. To do so, you may need to
travel to the dealer’s place of business. Alternatively, some dealers offer the ability to test
drive upon delivery, and if anything isn’t as expected, you may cancel the sale.
Complete the sale at the dealer or upon delivery.  It is still usually necessary to sign
the final paperwork in person. If you would rather avoid visiting the dealership, ask about
delivery. Some dealers will drop off the car at your home or place of business and allow you
to sign upon delivery.

Avoid online car sales scams
There are plenty of pros to buying a car online, but caution is needed as well. Anytime you
shop online, and especially when making an expensive purchase like a car, you should keep
the following tips in mind:

 Watch out for too good to be true deals. They are most likely a scam. Scammers
often steal consumers’ personal information and money by offering them high-value
goods at highly discounted prices.
 Never wire funds or complete bank-to-bank transactions. Scammers love this
kind of transaction because there is no way to get your money back once completed.
Instead, make legitimate purchases by check or credit card.
 Contact the seller by phone. At some point during your negotiations, speak with
the sales manager on the phone. If they are unusually vague about specific details of
the sale or cannot confirm their location or the vehicle location, it’s most likely a
scam.
 See the car first. Never buy a car without making an in-person inspection and
taking a test drive first.
 Don’t give in to pressure. Scammers often try to pressure you to give up your
personal information or make a down payment before you have time to think about
the purchase. Take your time and consider a deal over before agreeing to anything.
 Don’t trust a seller or buyer who says that eBay, PayPal, Craigslist, or
another online marketplace guarantee the transaction. These sites explicitly
explain they cannot guarantee that people using their services are legitimate.

To learn more, see the BBB tips on buying a new car and buying a used car. You can also
lookup car dealerships at BBB.org to check their business rating and read customer reviews.
Find new car dealers near you and used car dealers near you.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, Charities, cybersecurity, Holiday Parties, Hurricane Aide, Padre Island Business Association, Scam Alert, spring break
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