Fraud Allegations Investigated at West Michigan Dealership
The list of potential victims of warranty, insurance and title fraud has grown to at least 170, according to the Muskegon Chronicle. Authorities announced last week that Discovery Ford, in Whitehall, Mich. was being investigated for alleged “widespread” fraud involving warranty payments and trade-in payoffs.
Whitehall, Mich.—The list of potential victims of warranty, insurance and title fraud has grown to at least 170, according to the Muskegon Chronicle. Authorities announced last week that Discovery Ford, in Whitehall, Mich. was being investigated for alleged “widespread” fraud involving warranty payments and trade-in payoffs.
The investigation is focusing on three areas of potential fraud:
1. The alleged failure of the dealership to forward $2,000 paid by customers for extended warranties. Officials noted that most cases involve policies sold by Universal and Smart Choice warranty companies and not extended warranties offered by the Ford Motor Co.
2. The alleged failure of Discovery Ford to pay off existing loans on vehicles traded in for other vehicles.
3. The alleged failure of Discovery Ford to forward payments made by customers for gap insurance.
The investigation began after a Discovery Ford customer took a vehicle to another Ford dealership and found out the car was never registered for an extended warranty.
Discovery Ford is now being staffed and operated by employees of the Ford Motor Co.
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