Watch out for curber posing as AMVIC-licensed dealer

EDMONTON, Jan. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council is warning consumers that an unlicensed used car salesperson, Chad Taskinen, is falsely claiming to be an AMVIC-licensed seller.

Taskinen is advertising vehicles online with the unlicensed business name "Desperautos". He is including AMVIC's logo or otherwise indicating the business is AMVIC-licensed. He may be claiming that the vehicles are in British Columbia. Desperautos has previously gone by the business name "Cat Truck Stop".

AMVIC cancelled Desperauto's business licence and Taskinen's salesperson registration in 2015. The cancellation followed an AMVIC director's order to Taskinen, operating as Cat Truck Stop and/or Desperautos, to immediately cease negotiating and selling motor vehicles in Alberta. The director's order sets out concerns regarding Taskinen's conduct and cites investigations by British Columbia's Vehicle Sales Authority.  

"AMVIC's peace officers are actively investigating Taskinen," Laura Lowe, AMVIC's communications and education manager said.

In Alberta, it is against the law for a business to solicit, negotiate or conclude vehicle sales without the proper AMVIC licence.

"Those who ignore the law are considered curbers. People who buy from curbers cannot access AMVIC's consumer compensation fund," Lowe said.

AMVIC posts all of its licence cancellations and administrative actions on its website, amvic.org, so consumers can research a business before entering into a transaction. Consumers can also use the business and salesperson search tool at amvic.org to check if a business and/or salesperson is licensed for the correct type of service.

"If you suspect a curber, you should steer clear and report it to AMVIC," Lowe said.

About AMVIC: The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) is a regulatory organization authorized by the Minister of Service Alberta to enforce and administer the following legislation in relation to automotive business: the Fair Trading Act; the Automotive Business Regulation; the Cost of Credit Disclosure Regulation, and the Internet Sales Contract Regulation. AMVIC's mandate is to provide consumer protection in Alberta's motor vehicle industry. AMVIC publishes valuable information and tips for consumers, businesses and salespeople at amvic.org.

SOURCE Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC)

Media inquiries may be directed to: Laura Lowe, Communications and Education Manager, Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council, 780-468-0476, [email protected]