Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today issued a consumer alert warning used car buyers from purchasing storm damaged cars. A link on the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website allows consumers to immediately determine whether a used vehicle is a �flood car� from Super Storm Sandy or damaged following other storms or circumstances. Approximately 400,000 vehicles were flooded following Hurricane Sandy.

�The monumental devastation caused by Super Storm Sandy left an opening for unscrupulous individuals to try to sell salvaged vehicles to unsuspecting consumers,� said Governor Cuomo. �The information posted on DMV�s website can help consumers avoid the costly expense of purchasing a flood damaged vehicle.�

The NICB�s VINCheck permits anyone to enter the vehicle identification number (VIN) to determine the status of the vehicle. If the vehicle had been declared as salvage by a VINCheck-participating NICB member insurance company, the NICB site reports both the date of loss and the cause of the damage.

DMV Commissioner Barbara J. Fiala said, �The link on our website provides consumers a fast and easy way to discover whether the vehicle they are looking at is still road worthy.�

NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle said, �We are united in our efforts to prevent fraud and protect innocent consumers from unknowingly buying a vehicle that has been salvaged as a result of Sandy. NICB appreciates the opportunity to help protect consumers that Commissioner Fiala has given us by hosting the VINCheck link on the DMV website.�

(YWN Desk – NYC)