Not even a week into the official launch of Cash for Clunkers and the program may be tapped with its future now uncertain.  It is hard to believe that the $1 billion that was allocated for the program would last until November.  Even Congress initially thought that "Bucks for Old Trucks" fund needed more cash.  A prior version of the bill would have deposited $4 billion into the program.

A House vote is expected today to add more money, perhaps another $2 billion.  As soon as more details are announced, we will do an updated post.

Update: The House voted to add $2 billion to the program.  It will be taken up with the Senate on Monday, August 3.

The car business has been hurting for a few years (thus all the discounts, employee pricing, free Carfax reports, etc). One other change consumers are seeing is fewer offers for car leases. Apparently the big 3 US auto makers (Ford, GM, Chrysler) have stopped leasing through the finance companies they own.

You can still get a lease, but it will be harder to find, and it will be through a third-party lender, instead of the car maker itself.

If you're shopping for a car, check out our All About Autos publication.

We've all seen those postcards that arrive in the mail saying "YOUR FACTORY WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE!" When AG Nixon sued several of the companies that send those in March, one of the alleged violations was that they were claiming to offer "extended warranties."

And when the AG announced a settlement with one of them in August, one of the conditions was that National Dealers Warranty stop referring to its products as extended warranties, and call them what they are: extended service contracts.

So what's the difference? Under Missouri law, a warranty can only be issued by the manufacturer of a product. These companies are not associated with manufacturers, so they can't possibly offer a warranty.

Same with those "home warranty" companies that you pay to be there for you in case you need appliance repair, plumbing or electrical help, a new furnace, etc. That product should be called an extended service contract.

How many of those mailings have come to your house that say your car warranty is about to expire?

AG Nixon just announced lawsuits and settlements with several companies in that business. The violations we're alleging:

• They mislead consumers into thinking their warranties are about to expire, when they're not. These companies don't know when your factory warranty expires.
• They mislead you into thinking they're with the manufacturer, when they're not. They're 3rd-party companies.
• They don't cover what they say they will.
• They fail to disclose important requirements - including one example where a consumer found out he had to use a certain brand of oil to get reimbursed for repairs.

Anybody selling these "extended service contracts" has to be registered with the Missouri Department of Insurance. If you're considering one of these companies, you can check with Insurance to see if they're registered at 1-800-726-7390 or here.

FYI, these are technically not warranties. That term applies to the free warranty that comes when you buy a product. These extended warranties should actually be called extended service contracts.

Not in most cases, according to Consumer Reports. A recent report by the nonprofit magazine found that only about a quarter of consumers who buy extended service contracts (the correct term) on their cars ever see their money back in savings on repairs.

As we've mentioned here, AG Nixon recently launched a massive legal action against several extended service contract companies for, among other things, sending out misleading mailings and postcards to consumers. Remember these companies are usually not associated with your car manufacturer and have no idea when your factory warranty expires.

One consumer reported getting several of these mailngs - and she has never owned a car.

Also, a new Missouri law requires the companies offering these service contracts to register with the Missouri Department of Insurance. You can check with the department to see if a company is registered at 1-800-726-7390.

The word warranties in the headline is in quotes because these are actually extended service contracts. This blog post explains the difference.

As you read in yesterday's post, AG Nixon has taken legal action against several companies that send out those extended warranty offers in the mail, claiming your car's factory warranty is about to expire.

Here is a column by a consumer reporter at MSNBC about these companies. While this is a national problem, we are discovering that for some reason, many of the companies in this business are based in the St. Louis area. Our sweep of lawsuits, BTW, was called Operation Taken for a Ride.

BTW, the word warranties is in quotes in the headline because these products are actually extended service contracts. This blog post explains the difference.

State lawmakers are considering some lawsuit protection for car dealers. Under the bill, consumers would not be able to sue a retail dealership over surprise defects. Consumer advocates don't like the idea - including the Kansas City Star, which editorialized against it Friday.

Let me remind you again that Missouri's Lemon Law does not apply to used cars - only new cars under warranty. Check out our All About Autos publication for more information.

This should be your mantra. Observe what a Missouri consumer wrote:

I purchased a car from a dealer who has since gone out of business. They told me I would recieve my title in the mail in about two weeks, but I never recieved it and I can not get a hold of them anymore. How can I go about getting the title to the vehicle?

You can file a consumer complaint with our office. We get hundreds of complaints like this - people buy a car, the seller says the title will be sent in the mail, and it never arrives. AG Nixon in 2005 filed felony charges against a dealer for this. Do not pay for a car without the title. That is your proof of ownership. Without it, you literally can not prove you own the car.

Want to test your consumer savvy when it comes to cars? Take our quiz.

Missouri consumer writes:

I would like to know if the state of Missouri requires me to change the name on my car title. My name has changed due to getting married.

Under Missouri law, you can if you like, but you are not required to update your vehicle title (or certificate of ownership) if you change your name. If you like, you can contact your local contract office and apply for a duplicate title to submit new information.

PS: Thanks to the MO Dept of Revenue's Dave Griffith for the help answering this one.

You may be a driver with a perfect record, but did you know that insurance companies are looking at more than your driving history to determine your premium?

As mentioned in a Consumer Reports further states that insurers believe that there is a connection between credit scores and damage claims. So, too, believes the Federal Trade Commission. But why?

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains that insurers predict that if people are cautious with their credit they will be cautious behind the wheel. But often times, people who have reasonably good credit can unknowingly affect their insurance in a variety of ways, such as simply opening three accounts in the one year or making multiple loan inquiries. Taking any of those actions can result in an increase in premiums.

This week, the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations has started looking into possible discrimination allegations related to credit scoring. For more information on this issue, please see the articles referenced above.

The internet can be a great tool for searching for the perfect car. Collectors may look to the web to help them find rare parts, or even their dream car. For others, the web might provide opportunities to find a car at a better value than one off the lot. But there are risks in purchasing a car sight unseen, and without a test-drive.

A recent and informative article in the Kansas City Star states that the National Fraud Information Center's Internet Fraud Watch receives countless complaints form people who have been scammed while trying to purchase an automobile online. These complaints include unreported body and flood damage to the car. Also, people reported purchasing cars that were over-priced, that don't have titles, and even cars that don't exist. So, what can you do to protect yourself?

The KC Star suggests you follow several steps: First, if you can, check the vehicle out for yourself, take it to get inspected and test-drive it. If not, you can hire a company such as Carchex, to inspect the car thoroughly.

Second, find out if the car is priced appropriately. Check the fair market value on a website like Kelly Blue Book. Also compare the car's cost and history with similar cars on direct-buy sites, like Autobytel.com.

Third, get the vehicle identification number (VIN) and verify its history through Carfax — at a cost of $24.99.

Fourth, read the fine print. If you are using an online auction service, check into its history and reputation and try to review the seller's record.

You can also utilize our "Check list for car buyers," as there are some additional tips and helpful questions you can ask the seller.

The legislature has passed and sent to the governor a bill that makes it harder to find out if a used car has been totaled. The bill basically loosens the requirements for salvage titles - bottom line is, right now you have a right to know if a car has been totaled within the last 7 years. If the governor signs this bill, that would change to 6 years. It would also change the definition of total loss, which helps sellers.

The Post-Dispatch has a scathing editorial against the bill.

Agree or disagree, the more important point is that you should never rely on a title search to make your car buying decision. Take the critical step of hiring an independent mechanic to examine the car - that will help you spot damage that might not be reported in the car's title history.

See our publication All About Autos for more information.

Missouri consumer writes:

My fiance recently purchased a '64 Chevy Bel-Air and had the title signed over to him. This car hasn't been drivable so he waited on getting it registered. It is getting close to being drivable and he realized that he can't find the title. We are unable to locate the owner. He isn't living in the house that we bought the car from.

Thanks to Maura Browning at the Missouri Department of Revenue for the help in answering this one.

You have three options:

1. You can get a declaratory judgment through the Circuit Court in your county, ordering the Department of Revenue to issue a title to you. This is your only option if you don't have a bill of sale from when you bought the car. Check with your county Circuit Clerk on how to begin this process.

If you don't have that bill of sale, here are your two options:

2. If the car is worth $3,000 or less, you can apply for a bonded vehicle original title. You will have to buy a surety bond up to two times the car's value. Call Department of Revenue on this, 573-751-4509.

3. Since the car is more than 25 years old, you can get a salvage bonded vehicle title. This requires you to buy a surety bond worth 1.5 times the value. Once the car's drivable, you need a Highway Patrol inspection to convert the vehicle back to an original title that allows the car to be registered and driven on public roads. From the date of purchase, you have 30 days to title a vehicle, so depending on date of purchase, you may face late titling penalties.

Moral of the story: Always, always, always get the title before buying a car, and keep it. Your motto should be NO TITLE, NO DEAL! AG Nixon frequently sees complaints from consumers who bought cars but never got the title. See more in our All About Autos publication.

This is a frequent misunderstanding among consumers in Missouri. The Lemon Law does not cover used cars - it only applies to new cars under warranty.

There's a nice article in USA Today this morning about how to take advantage of state Lemon Laws, but it makes the frequent omission about used cars - the part that most consumers are confused about. Most used cars are sold without a warranty, or "As is." That's why it's critical to research any used car you're considering - do a title search and have it inspected.

A blog post from last week offers more on used car research.

The Missouri legislature may change state law so that cars that have been totaled only have to show that on their titles for three years. Currently, the law says seven years.

So let's say you're looking at a used car, and it was totaled four years ago. If this bill becomes law, there's no legal obligation to inform you of that damage.

Critics say the law would potentially put wrecked and /or dangerous cars on the road without the buyers' knowledge. There's no question that more information is better than less.

But let me say this: relying on a title search alone when buying a used car is playing with fire. There have been numerous criticisms of carfax.com, one title search company, for promoting itself as much more thorough than it actually is. That's why in our All About Autos publication (see p. 10), we say the most important thing you can do is have the car inspected by an independent mechanic that you trust - not one hired by the seller.

Missouri law also doesn't require flood damage to be listed on a title. Again: have your mechanic check it out.