We have been reading the news wires and recent blog posts from Automotive websites warning consumers to be on the look-out for scams surrounding the new Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS).  The CARS program is the cash voucher system that was recently debated in the House and Senate and referred to as the “Cash for Clunkers” bill.  The official Federal website for the CARS program is http://cars.gov

Indeed, last week we were the first to report to Google a scam that was using our website URL in Google Adwords text ads and directing consumers to a phishing scheme website.  Since our site was a popular destination for information on the bill, scammers come out of the woodwork to harm something that is good.  So, please keep aprised on the program rules from reliable sources like http://cars.gov and this website.

CBS’s news story is a bit misleading because they warn consumers to be careful with any websites using the “Cash for Clunkers” name.  But as you can see, many car manufacturers recognize this is the term used by Americans to describe the bill.

In fact General Motors, Toyota and Ford have created special marketing pages that use the term “Cash for Clunkers” that are visible to consumers in their paid advertising campaigns, shown below:

Are we not to trust GM, Toyota or Ford?  The article tried to warn consumers about Phishing sites but in effect bashed the term “Cash for Clunkers” which everyone is the auto industry is still using.  Ironically, it’s the term the media outlets have been using to describe the program for the past six months.

It’s funny how things can change overnight.  We can say that since this site has been up since May 6th covering the bill.

Another example is a very reptuable website called www.cashforclunkers.org which is operated by Dealix, a division of Cobalt, who is the world’s leading provider of quality leads for new and used cars for dealerships, dealer groups, and automotive manufacturers.

According to a Dealix press release on June 9th, their website was created, like ours, to track the progress on the bill and to create seminars and educational materials for car dealers.  Should this website be shunned because Dealix was smart enough to pick a website name that everyone would recognize and that would appear on Google page one for search on “Cash for Clunkers”?  Rather, I would praise them for their marketing insight and genius.

So it’s not the term “Cash for Clunkers” that consumers should be wary of rather websites that trick consumers into giving their social security numbers.

Consumers Are Warned

Never give out your social security number to anyone.

We remind consumers not to give out their social security numbers to anyone calling or emailing them to “register” for the CARS program or the Cash for Clunkers program.   Consumers don’t register, car dealers will have to register.

Consumers can verify that their “clunker” qualifies for a voucher on the cars.gov website.  Once they qualify they will go to a local new car dealer to make a new car purchase.   It’s that simple.

Consumers do not need to get a voucher before you go to the car dealer.   The car dealer will handle all the paperwork.

You do however, have to bring some things with your trade. You’ll need your title and proof that the car was insured and registered in your name continuously for a year.

Please read our updated FAQ page to get updated answers on the bill or visit  http://cars.gov website.

This Cash for Clunkers Website

This website www.cashforclunkersfacts.com has been covering the progress of the Cash for Clunkers bill since early May.  We are not associated with any social security number collection schemes.  Our website is the benchmark for informed news and content about the bill and we are pleased to have taken all precautions to be accurate in our advice to consumers.

To that degree, we are proud to have created the first opt-in email alert system for consumers to get status reports on the votes in the House and Senate and the eventual signing of the bill.  We have thousands of consumers on our email list who get important updates on the bill.

Educate Consumers on Cash for Clunkers

The websites purpose has been to inform consumers about the progress and provisions in the Cash for Clunkers bill.   The website has helped thousands of consumers get information on this new legislation.  Thousands of consumers have been posted on the progess of the bill as it passed the House and Senate votes.  We have been promoting a bill that will help car dealers and consumers.

Our website directs consumers to the Federal websiteto get accurate information on the program. We are very proud of the service we are providing consumers since understanding the progess of this bill has been challenging.  We have responded to hundreds of emails and phone calls about the bill.

Marketing New Car Sales

We are proud that the marketing efforts to create the www.cashforclunkersfacts.com website have been a success.  The developers of this website  specialize in Internet marketing.  The fact that our website is so popular is based on our knowledge of automotive search engine optimization (SEO).

Our website has been educating consumers about the bill and getting them excited about buying a new car.  The website offers consumers the opportunity to have a local car dealer contact them about purchasing a new car.   We created the “Cash for Clunkers” Marketing logo to help car dealers get the word out about the program.

Our website allows consumers to request a local dealer to contact them about a car they want to purchase and is not a registration form.  We are proud that our form is clearly marked and does not ask for a social security number, DOB or call itself a loan form.

CARS Program Launched

This week the NHTSA named the Cash for Clunkers bill’s provision to  Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS).

Naming the program this week does not negate the fact that consumers know the cash voucher program as “Cash for Clunkers“.   For marketing companies, you have to take a lead and run with it to create awareness.  The program starts in approximately 3 weeks and our writing and marketing have made it possible for many Americans to get excited about the bill.

Referring to the program as Cash for Clunkers is not mis-informed or mischievous. Everyone in the world called the program “Cash for Clunkers” until this week.  Since we have been following the bill since May 6th on this website, of course the website would be include “Cash for Clunkers” in its name.

Americans do not call hamburgers “Chopped Steak” and we know that the public will call this program “Cash for Clunkers” for the life of the program.

For bloggers and the news media  to put down ALL websites that using the phrase “Cash for Clunkers” or our efforts to promote the bill and help consumers get connected with a new car dealer in their area that can sell them a car with the voucher program is mean spirited.