Improved Technology Offers Consumers Protection On Major Purchases

An updated Personal Property Registry System (PPRS) that will make services more accessible and offer consumers protection when purchasing previously owned goods was announced by Minister of Justice and Attorney General Charles Dent today.

The PPRS is an on-line system (www.acol.ca) most often used by banks and other lending institutions to register and search for notices of security interests in personal property. The PPRS continues to provide personal property registry functions such as registration, search and PPRS administration, but has been improved to make it easier to use. The updated system also gives people making major purchases, such as previously owned vehicles and boats, a simpler way to search for outstanding liens.

The most significant new service available as part of the PPRS is Lien Check, which gives anyone the ability to conduct searches of certain types of serial numbered goods.

"When consumers buy previously-owned goods such as a motor vehicle, there could be outstanding loans against that vehicle, and notice of those loans may be registered in the Personal Property Registry," said Minister Dent. "With the new Lien Check service, potential buyers can search the vehicle's serial number from their home computers to help ensure that there are no outstanding loans against the vehicle."

If a loan is not paid off at the time of purchase, the buyer takes not only the vehicle, but also responsibility for making sure the outstanding amount of the loan is paid. If the loan is not paid, the lender can seize the vehicle.

Lien Check can be used to search for loans against motor vehicles, boats, outboard motors, trailers, mobile homes and aircraft. Searches are conducted using the serial number and the territory or province where the item is located. Search fees vary by jurisdiction, but in the Northwest Territories, the fee is $5.00 per search, paid by credit card online. Lien Check can be accessed at www.acol.ca.

The Lien Check Service is available in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

For more information, contact:

Megan Holsapple
Communications Advisor
Department of Justice
(867) 920-3130