Page 2 - Desert Lightning News Sept. 2015

2 September 3, 2015
DMV services at Davis-Monthan
Airman 1st Class Mya M. Crosby
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
A Department of Motor Vehicles office is located here that is available to
all who have base access.
The DMV is located in building 4300 in the southeast Fifth Street and
Madera Street across from the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron customer
service. The base DMV is open from on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Active duty service members in uniform have priority from 11:30 a.m.
to 1 p.m.
The DMV also processes the In Lieu of Tax form for Active duty service
members exempt from Arizona Vehicle License Taxes.
The In Lieu of tax forms Service members should bring their most recent
leave and earnings statement, vehicle identification number, and the year,
make and model to the vehicle 355th Fighter Wing legal office. The 355th
Legal Office is located on the second floor of building 2300 on Fifth Street,
walk-in hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NEWS Legal Corner: Avoiding ‘bird-dogging’
Commentary by 2nd Lt. Cynthia McGrath
633rd Air Base Wing Legal Office
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- Scams aimed at taking
advantage of U.S. military members are nothing new; however, one
such scam, “bird-dogging,” has re-emerged as a threat to Service
members’ financial security.
Bird-dogging refers to the act of soliciting sales for a third party
and is illegal both on and off base. One example occurs when a
person serves as an unlicensed car broker who is paid to bring their
friends into a dealership and persuade them to buy a car.
The scam is often used in conjunction with other rip-offs. Con-
sider the following real-world examples:
(1) The drop-off: An acquaintance, friend or stranger offers a ride
to a car dealer and then leaves the victim stranded. The seemingly
concerned car dealership then pressures the stranded individual
into buying a car to get home.
(2) The lemon: Taking advantage of lack of knowledge and reli-
ance on a recommendation, victims buy a defective car, or a car
without applicable warranty.
(3) The yo-yo: The car dealer persuades a victim to sign a credit
contract that they claim is final; however, the dealer later informs
the target that the first transaction was canceled and either the car
must be returned or a contract signed with worse terms.
(4) Plain old fraud: A car dealer filling out loan documents submits
quotes that do not match the car sold or interest rate offered. When
the target receives the loan paperwork from the bank, the dealer re-
fuses to take the car back because it was already driven off the lot.
(5) Covering up the dirt: A car dealer fails to disclose, or lies
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Additional services provided
· Vehicle and voter registration and renewal
· Duplicate driver license
· Address change
· 3-day permit
· Personalized and specialty license plates
· License plate refund or credit
· Sold notice
· Insurance verification
· Vehicle fee recap
· Motor vehicle record-driver license and record-
title and registration
· 30-day general use permit
· Fleet registration renewal
· Driver license reinstatement
Services not provided on base
· Trailer inspections
· Bonds
· Road testing
Most of the services the base DMV provide can also
be completed online at www.servicearizona.com.
about, a vehicle’s mileage or prior history.
(6) Bait and switch: The target responds to an ad for a specific
car on precise credit terms and then the dealer claims not to have
the car or the terms. This can also occur when a dealer advertises
a specific trade-in price, then later claims to realize the value was
overestimated and tries to reduce the offer.
The following list is compiled of tips to assist in scam avoidance:
Remain vigilant. Shopping at a big dealership does not mean
someone is safe from scammers. If buying a used car, check the
odometer against the listed mileage on the paperwork; watch out
for a prior history of accidents; be wary of cars that have been sold
multiple times by the same dealer; and consider using www.vehicle-
history.gov to look into a car’s history before buying.
Do research. Research how similar products compare; how much
others are selling the item for; and the reputation of the seller.
Have a backup plan and call a command representative for help.
Read and confirm everything. Call the bank before leaving the car
lot to confirm all of the purchase information. If filling out paperwork,
read the entire document. The document represents the complete
agreement, so anything the dealer verbally agrees to must be included
in the written contract. If something does not make sense then wait.
Consult others for help or seek legal assistance on big transactions.
Think twice before cosigning because if a friend is getting swindled or
if the friend is the scammer, the victim could be left with the entire bill. If
deciding to co-sign for someone, treat the transaction as your own.
Report problems to chain of command, financial management
or base legal office as soon as there is an issue. Seeking assistance
from base officials could prevent the same scammer from taking
advantage of someone else.