Attorney General issues "Flood Vehicle" Alert to New Hampshire Consumers

Attorney General Philip T. McLaughlin today cautioned New Hampshire consumers who have recently purchased or are considering purchasing a new or used motor vehicle, to be aware of the existence of "flood" or "water-damaged" vehicles from the State of North Carolina. Attorney General Michael F. Easley of North Carolina has advised that as a result of three hurricanes which hit his state last year, flooding 4.3 million acres of land in Eastern North Carolina, car dealers from other states have been purchasing so called "flood vehicles" and transporting them to other states for resale.

While North Carolina law requires that these cars be titled as "flood vehicles" if the water has damaged the body, engine, transmission or differential of the car, North Carolina Attorney General Easley states that this office has found that, "unfortunately the "flood" designation is sometimes being "washed" from the title after it leaves North Carolina."

In order to ensure that consumers are well informed while shopping for automobiles. Attorney General McLauglin announced the availability of a web site containing a list of vehicles identification number for cars that have been titled in North Carolina as "flood vehicles". Consumers may access this site at www.jus.state.nc.us to determine if a car they have purchased or are considering purchasing is a "flood" or "water-damaged" car from North Carolina.

For additional information about automobile purchases, New Hampshire citizens are encouraged to contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau at 271-3641.