Automobile Forgery / Fraud: Title Washing, Expired Temporary Tags, Stolen Inspection Stickers, Invalid Odometers, Deceptive Pricing & Marketing, Altered VIN Numbers, Non-Disclosure

Automobile Forgery /  Fraud: Title Washing; Fraudulent Temporary Tags; Stolen Inspection Stickers; Invalid Odometers; Deceptive Pricing & Marketing; Altered VIN Numbers; Non-Disclosure

Vehicle Fraud Resources 

*National Insurance Crime Bureau (National Insurance Crime Bureau)

*Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (In Pennsylvania, report vehicle fraud to Penndot)

*Pennsylvania State Police (State Police | State Police | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) 

*Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office (PA Office of Attorney General)

*Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection(https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/consumer-complaint/)

*Pennsylvania Attorney General's Insurance Fraud Division (Insurance Fraud – PA Office of Attorney General)

*Pennsylvania Insurance Department. (Insurance Department | Insurance Department | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)

*Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/contact-us

*In Pennsylvania, the Auto Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) (The Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Authority) is a statewide network of nearly 100 highly skilled police officers, state troopers, detectives, prosecutors, paralegals, and support staff.

*Submit a complaint to the FTC:  ReportFraud.FTC.gov  Option: Auto Sale, Repair or call 1-877-FTC-HELP

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Issue:

Purchased June 15th, 2022:

2008 Nissan Rogue. S SULEV $5224.70

VIN JN8AS58V78W106390

From Auto Dealer:

Family First Auto Sales, LLC (Permanently Closed)
101 Trewick St
Steelton, PA
717.914.4133

**Stolen Inspection Sticker:  The vehicle had not been inspected as promised by the dealer.  The State Inspection Sticker was later identified as stolen.

**Temporary Tag Expired: 9/17/22.  Unable to Locate the Dealer.  Phone calls / email messages not returned.  Could not drive the Nissan for several months.

**All American Auto and Truck, Middletown, PA found the vehicle unsafe to drive.  

**Prior to learning that the vehicle was unsafe to drive....in addition to driving in Middletown and neighboring communities, we also drove longer distances; e.g. from Middletown, PA to Shippensburg, PA; from Middletown, PA to Etters, PA; from Middletown, PA to Gettysburg, PA

Title Work Originally Completed by:

Dimitri Auto Sales

Steelton, PA
Dealer ID: 8634919

Financial Services for Purchase

Lendmark Financial Services, LLC

6301 Grayson Road

Harrisburg, PA 17111  

    *Lendmark representative mentioned that Family First Auto Sales was one of their new dealers.

    *Lendmark representative mentioned the 2008 Nissan Rogue that he had seen on their lot.  Stated further that he thought that the vehicle would be a 'good deal'

    *See 'Partial List of Cost of Repairs'  and 'Partial List of Parts Repaired / Replaced' below*

Issues Reported to:

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penndot) Issued Registration / Title 11/10/2022

Irene Urban
717-265-0555

Pennsylvania State Police
Trooper Robert Brallier #13348
Case #PA2022-1622964

Office of Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Case #BCP-22-05-025602

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Office of Chief Counsel

Harrisburg, PA 17106

Re: #CP_22_015994

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*Partial List of Cost of Repairs

April 18, 2023         $100.70

May 18, 2023           $2586.03

May 18, 2023           Financed Additional $1876 through Easy Pay

October 23, 2023     $1478.79

March 6, 2024         $949.31

May 14, 2024           $257.76

June 27, 2024          $816.79

January 28,2025     $545.59

July 1, 2025             $121.72       

*Partial List of Parts Repaired / Replaced

Current Repair Required: Transmission

Front and Rear Brake Pads and Rotors

Remove / Related Tie Rod and Outer Tie Rod End

Remove and Replace Ball Joint

Replace Inner / Outer Bearings, Cups, Seals and Repack Wheel Speed ABS Sensor

Axle Shaft Assembly: Axle Shaft. Boots and Joints, Propeller Shaft 

Alternator R & R

Drive Belt: R & R Serpentine Belt, Continental Multi-V Reinforced Belt

Exhaust Muffler R & R

Fuel Evaporator Canister R & R

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News Articles

Family Settles with Car Dealership After Saying They Took Advantage of Elderly Man With Dementia

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/gwinnett-county/family-settles-with-car-dealership-after-saying-they-took-advantage-elderly-man-with-dementia/5RLV3X4P2VDMVCSRTKYJREEFKY/?outputType=amp

11 Charged in Multi-Million Dollar Fake Dealership and Temp Tag Fraud Case

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2026/05/23/fake-dealership-temp-tag-fraud-case/90233605007/

Assistant Attorney General Colin M McDonald Issues Memirandum on the National Fraud Enforcement Division...

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/assistant-attorney-general-colin-m-mcdonald-issues-memorandum-national-fraud-enforcement-1

What is Auto Dealer Fraud?  Understanding the Basics.

https://paulmankin.com/dealer-auto-fraud-examples/

Industry Expertise / Vehicle Finance Fraud is a $9 Billion Problem. Here's How to Combat It.

https://afsaonline.org/2025/05/07/industry-expertise-vehicle-finance-fraud-is-a-9-billion-problem-heres-how-to-combat-it/

Suspects Charged Following Multi-State Operation Into Auto Theft Ring

https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/suspects-charged-following-multi-state-operation-into-auto-theft-ring/

U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia: International Car Theft Ring Busted

https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/international-car-theft-ring-busted

AG Sunday advises customers of Lehigh Valley-based car-subscription company to contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection

Your Cause Auto LLC

Your Cause Auto Services LLC

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/ag-sunday-advises-customers-of-lehigh-valley-based-car-subscription-company-to-contact-the-bureau-of-consumer-protection/

Yeni Auto Sales, Cameron St, Harrisburg Pa:

Owner of Harrisburg car dealership charged for 'fraudulent car sales'; troopers

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/owner-of-harrisburg-car-dealership-charged-for-fraudulent-car-sales-troopers/ar-AA1WZaKO?ocid=iehp0130

Sandusky businessman accused of obtaining titles illegally

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-erie/sandusky-businessman-accused-of-obtaining-titles-illegally

State Grand Jury Indicts Keiron Murray for $1.4M Auto Loan Fraud

https://changeflow.com/govping/courts-legal/keiron-murray-125-counts-1-4m-auto-loan-fraud-2026-04-14

Philadelphia Man Arrested in Alleged Title-Washing Scheme Involving $3.8 Million in Stolen Luxury Vehicles

https://6abc.com/post/north-philadelphia-man-arrested-alleged-multi-million-dollar-title-washing-scheme/18722194/

FTC Warns 97 Auto Dealership Groups About Deceptive Pricing

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/03/ftc-warns-97-auto-dealership-groups-about-deceptive-pricing

FTC wants car dealership reporting other stores that break advertising rules

https://www.autonews.com/retail/an-ftc-advertising-webinar-report-competitors-0420/

SEC Charges Former Executives With Fraud in Connection With $1.9 Billion Collapse of Subprime Auto Lender Trricolor

https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026-77-sec-charges-former-executives-fraud-connection-19-billion-collapse-subprime-auto-lender-tricolor

Executives of bankrupt subprime auto lender Tricolor Holdings charged with fraud

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/17/tricolor-holdings-fraud-subprime-car-loans?CMP=share_btn_url

Vehicle Loan Obtained Through Lendmark for a Car Purchased from Sterling Auto

https://www.justanswer.com/consumer-protection-law/qvy9t-seeking-legal-advice-regarding-vehicle-loan.html

Family Settles with Car Dealership After Saying They Took Advantage of Elderly Man with Dementia

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/gwinnett-county/family-settles-with-car-dealership-after-saying-they-took-advantage-elderly-man-with-dementia/5RLV3X4P2VDMVCSRTKYJREEFKY/?outputType=amp

AG Sunday, Pa State Police Announce Charges in  'Operation Dirty Paper' -- Central Pa Based 'Chop Shop' and Fraud Criminal Enterprise

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/ag-sunday-pa-state-police-announce-charges-in-operation-dirty-paper-central-pa-based-chop-shop-and-fraud-criminal-enterprise/

State of Colorado Seizes Dealership That Reportedly Didn't Have Titles for 92% of Cars It Sold

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a70328562/colorado-takes-over-dealership-dozens-of-cars-sold-without-titles/

SEC Charges Investment Adviser And Others With Defrauding Over 17,000 Retail Investors

https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2021-24

NHTSA: Odometer Fraud

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/odometer-fraud

Honda Dealership Quotes Man $8000 for Repair.  Then It Sits for Two Months Until An Outside Mechanic Steps In: 'How Much?'

https://www.motor1.com/news/792301/honda-accord-head-gasket/