Pennsylvania dealer accused of defrauding car buyers

A driver in Pennsylvania recently faced a troubling situation after purchasing a car from a used car dealership. The man bought the vehicle from Ideal Auto Sales and Service in November 2024. A few weeks later, his daughter was pulled over by a state trooper who informed her that the car lacked proper registration. Unsure of what to do, the driver returned to the dealership for help. However, he received no answers for several weeks. He eventually went to a local Department of Transportation office, where staff told him they had no record of him owning the car. Another customer also faced issues after buying a car from the same dealership. Their insurance company alerted state police when they found missing paperwork related to the vehicle. Investigators later discovered the dealership owner, Michael Lee Humbert, had sold cars to at least 14 customers without filing the necessary documentation. Humbert is now facing more than 350 charges, including forgery and theft. He allegedly exploited weaknesses in the online registration system to complete sales without valid titles. This deceit allowed him to pocket large sums of money, totaling over $34,000 from customers, as they believed they legally owned their vehicles. Experts suggest buyers take precautions when purchasing a car from a dealership. Key tips include establishing a budget, researching vehicles in advance, securing financing before visiting the lot, test-driving cars, and negotiating prices. Humbert is scheduled to appear in court again on March 26.