AUSTIN – On Sept. 27, Attorney General Ken Paxton advised any Texan considering a used car purchase to be wary of vehicles for sale that might have suffered flood damage from Hurricane Harvey.
It’s estimated that between 500,000 and one million automobiles were submerged in floodwaters during the unprecedented disaster, a press release states.
In Texas, a seller is required by law to tell prospective buyers about damage to a vehicle.
If the damage is from flooding, the words “Flood Damage” must be included on the vehicle’s title. Failure to disclose that information may be a violation of the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
“While most Texas businesses and individuals are law-abiding, there are always those looking to take advantage of consumers by selling them flood-damaged vehicles in the months following a hurricane,” Paxton said.
“A cleaned-up vehicle could be a ticking time bomb with unseen damage, posing mechanical and safety risks to the buyer. If you suspect fraud, report it to the Consumer Protection Division of my office at 1-800-621-0508. We will aggressively investigate and prosecute cases.”