Teen buys used car with bad check

A Honolulu teen was arrested this weekend for using a bad check to buy a used car from an unsuspecting seller.

A 34-year-old Kalihili man put his used vehicle up for sale on Craigslist and was contacted by an 18-year-old buyer. The buyer conned the seller by paying with a check, which bounced when the seller tried to cash it, according to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Police found the car when the teen pulled into a harbor without his lights on at 1:30 AM. A suspicious officer ran the plate and found that the car had been reported stolen. The alleged con artist was placed under arrest and is currently in custody.

Some drivers trying to find deals on vehicles go to websites like Craigslist in search of driver-to-driver sales. Often, these can result in either party being scammed. Consumers have little protection in these situations. Had the teen left town with the vehicle, the seller would have had no recourse.

Its safest to shop at used car dealerships or auto auctions, where deals can still be found in a regulated and controlled environment.