Largest curber conviction

EDMONTON, June 29, 2015 /CNW/ - An Edmonton man guilty of curbing is facing a total of $9,000 in fines and a 30 per cent surcharge to victim services. On June 29, 2015 in an Edmonton Provincial Court Roger Fortier pleaded guilty to two counts under the Fair Trading Act for selling vehicles without a licence.

All automotive retailers in Alberta must be licensed by AMVIC, the province's automotive regulator. Curbers are individuals or automotive sales businesses operating without the necessary licence.

Fortier is guilty of posing as a private individual selling vehicles to three unsuspecting Albertans from his southeast Edmonton home in the neighbourhood of Mill Woods.

In all three cases he told tales of where he got the vehicles when really he was just flipping them for a quick profit.

He also placed more than 109 advertisements for vehicles on an online classifieds site, again posing as a private seller.

 "AMVIC is committed to a fair marketplace and ensuring that everyone engaged in retailing vehicles is licensed appropriately," Laura Lowe, AMVIC's communications and education manager said. "We want consumers, industry members and even curious neighbours to warn us about suspected curbers." 

Curbers may sell vehicles that are poorly repaired and with rolled back odometers. 

"AMVIC-licensed sellers are required to meet the province's vehicle sales regulations, pass AMVIC's salesperson course and follow Alberta's consumer protection laws," Lowe said.

Remember, anyone in the business of selling motor vehicles, including RVs, must be licensed—it's the law.

About AMVIC: The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) is a regulatory organization authorized by the Minister of Service Alberta to enforce and administer the following legislation in relation to automotive business: the Fair Trading Act; the Automotive Business Regulation; the Cost of Credit Disclosure Regulation, and the Internet Sales Contract Regulation. AMVIC's mandate is to provide consumer protection in Alberta's motor vehicle industry. AMVIC publishes valuable information and tips for consumers, businesses and salespeople at amvic.org.

SOURCE Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC)

Media inquiries may be directed to: Laura Lowe, Manager of Communications and Education, Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council, 780-468-0476, [email protected]