(NC)-In today's marketplace, Canadians are hearing more and more about the need to protect themselves from fraud and the actions of unscrupulous business people. It's no different when purchasing a used vehicle. From curbsiders to dishonest sellers, the process of buying and selling a used vehicle has drawn attention from government agencies, regulators and the media, and has caused many consumers to be more cautious than ever when making a purchase. But what can you do to really protect yourself?

A recent survey commissioned by CarProof Vehicle History Reports found that only 30 per cent of Canadians would definitely or probably trust the person selling them a used vehicle. However, 88 per cent of Canadians surveyed said they would be more likely to purchase a used vehicle if they could access the vehicle's complete history. Yet, many Canadians aren't sure how to get that information.

A vehicle history report is a document that can provide details on a vehicle's previous life. They are available on-line for a small fee.

All you need is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to order the report on-line from a Canadian company like CarProof. With their live connection to each motor vehicle and lien registration database in Canada, and connections to Canadian insurance industry and U.S. automotive databases with billions of records, a CarProof Vehicle History Report conducts an instant, but thorough background check of a vehicle including:

. where the vehicle has been registered in Canada, by province, and in the United States

. if the vehicle has been classified as a salvage, non-repairable, rebuilt or junk vehicle; prior uses are sometimes included as well depending on the jurisdiction (police, taxi, fleet/rentals, etc.)

. whether the vehicle has been stolen or was damaged in a major accident

. whether there are any outstanding loans, debts or liens that could impact your outright ownership

. if the vehicle has had hail, flood or fire damage

. whether the vehicle was legally imported from the U.S. or elsewhere

. verifiable odometer readings from third party sources such as insurance companies and auto body repair shops

. details of insurance coverage including renewal of policies and previous claim amounts

"It's important for consumers to protect themselves, and our survey found that a vehicle history report can provide the information a consumer requires to make an informed decision when purchasing a used vehicle," said Paul Antony, president of CarProof. "But be cautious; not all vehicle history reports provide the same degree of detail, and the used vehicle information packages required by some of the provinces aren't comprehensive enough to tell you, for instance, if the vehicle has been involved in an accident."

More information about vehicle history reports is available online at www.carproof.com.