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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 535

Legislative bill overview

HB 535, the Title Fraud Prevention Act, is legislation introduced in North Carolina designed to combat title fraud—a scheme where criminals fraudulently obtain or alter vehicle titles to sell stolen vehicles or hide ownership changes. The bill has passed its third reading in the House and is currently under Senate committee review.

Why is this important

Title fraud costs consumers and insurers millions annually and enables vehicle theft rings to operate with relative impunity. This legislation addresses a concrete gap in property protection and consumer safeguards that affects vehicle buyers, owners, and the used car market's integrity.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Strengthened title verification systems require funding for the Department of Motor Vehicles, potentially raising fees or requiring state budget allocation
  • Privacy vs. fraud prevention: Enhanced verification procedures may require sharing more personal data between agencies or with private title companies, raising data security concerns
  • Dealer burden: Requiring additional verification steps could increase administrative costs for used car dealers and slow transaction times, potentially affecting small businesses disproportionately

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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