MICHIGAN -- Trading in your car for a new more fuel efficient one could soon earn you thousands. President Obama today signed into law a measure designed to keep the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from running out of money. Attached to that $106 billion spending bill is money to fight against swine flu and for the "Cash For Clunkers" program. The program will offer government incentives of $3,500 to $4,500 to consumers who trade in old gas guzzlers for more fuel efficient vehicles. Only models built since 1984 are eligible.
The government is warning consumers to be wary of unofficial "Cash for Clunkers" websites that seek personal information or direct consumers to pre-register for the program. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says dealers and consumers do not need to pre-register for the program. Traffic safety spokesman Rae Tyson says the government has an official site for the program at http://www.cars.gov.
Tyson says some Web sites have offered pre-approval sections that request a consumer's Social Security number and other personal information. The traffic safety administration has given information about these unofficial sites to the Justice Department's Internet Fraud division.
