BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -

A white paper now available on StopCurbstoning.com — the website that strives to educate dealers and consumers on how to spot and avoid a curbstoner — details a new strategy individuals are using to profit at the expense of an unsuspecting buyer.

The document describes a different kind of curbstoner: rogue tow-truck operators running illicit curbstoning and chop-shop operations out of their seemingly legitimate businesses.

“This is a lesser-known form of curbstoning that we’ve had our eye on for quite some time,” stated Chuck Redden, president of AutoTec, one of the companies behind the “Stop Curbstoning” effort.

“This white paper is our way of getting the word out to buyers, sellers, and most importantly, the proper authorities; that these companies are out there — and they’re taking advantage of people every day,” Redden continued.

The white paper, titled “A Different Breed of Curbstoner, and Yet Another Way Cities Leak Revenues,” delves into every facet of this criminal enterprise, from how towing companies acquire scores of junk units to the tactics they use to sell them off along with all the laws they ignore along the way — and how they avoid getting caught.

Redden said he hopes this article shines a light on these illicit operations and brings about some serious legal consequences for those involved.

“We want to get the attention of the agencies that can step in and prosecute,” Redden insisted, “from the local municipalities to the state DMVs, even the Department of Justice.”

Redden pointed out the white paper article does contain some good news, as well, reporting that many states have already made progress in thwarting these businesses.

“The era of unmonitored vehicle salvage transactions appears to be on the decline,” Redden surmised.

“But it’s far from over yet,” he cautioned. “We hope this white paper gets more people out there informed about this lingering problem and what they can do to help stop it once and for all.”

In addition to reading the article, Redden advised consumers to remain vigilant and to always remember that “if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

To see the full case study, “A Different Breed of Curbstoner, and Yet Another Way Cities Leak Revenues,” or for more information about curbstoning and the effort to put an end to it, visit StopCurbstoning.com.