On November 27, 2017, Kyle Martin of Humboldt, was sentenced to pay a total fine of $18,200, including a victim surcharge, after pleading guilty to 13 counts of operating as a vehicle dealer without a licence contrary to The Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act.
Last year, the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) received information about Martin’s unlicensed sales activity, also known as “curbing” or “curbsiding”. On two separate occasions, he was directed to cease and desist his unlicensed auto sales activities by FCAA’s Consumer Protection Division, but continued to operate without a licence.
A curber is someone who is in the business of selling vehicles without a licence. This is an illegal activity. Curbers often pose as private sellers who commonly misrepresent the vehicles they sell and may not disclose the vehicle’s history to a buyer.
The Act requires all vehicle dealers be licensed. The purpose of the licensing regime is to provide protection to consumers by overseeing the industry.
Licensed vehicle dealers are required to provide financial security to FCAA, and are subject to inspections, among other requirements.
Consumers can learn more about the vehicle dealer regulations online at www.fcaa.gov.sk.ca/CPD-VD.