COUNTYWIDE : Police Seek Suspects in Auto Theft Scam

Police in three cities are looking for an unknown number of people who are using stolen money orders to buy cars.

In most cases, the people have bought the cars over the weekend so that the car sellers cannot check the authenticity of the checks, Huntington Beach Police Lt. E.J. McErlain said. The thieves have most often resold the cars the same day, either to used car dealers or to private parties, he said.

Such thefts have been reported in Huntington Beach, Garden Grove and Orange.

Police say they believe that a large number of money orders taken during a July robbery of a Lakewood liquor store are being used to buy the cars.

The thieves also use stolen or forged identification cards, police said. Authorities advise anyone selling a car to be cautious: Carefully check the identification of anyone paying by money order, and, if possible, wait until a Monday to sell.

“In some of these cases, the victims aren’t looking real good at the pictures,” said Ben Lutz, an investigator with the Garden Grove Police Department. “They ask to see a driver’s license, but they don’t check to see whether the photo matches the person.”

The money orders, which have been identified as Traveler’s Express, have maximums of $300 or $500.

“Usually, people use money orders to pay for bills, so when they’re used for this kind of thing, it raises a red flag,” said Mark Gurney, manager of retail sales for Traveler’s Express money orders. “People should just use the same procedures they would use if they were taking a check.”

People may check the authenticity of Traveler’s Express money orders by calling (800) 542-3590 between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.