Over the last several years, some car buyers have fallen victim to the rather unscrupulous practice of "yo-yo" financing. The Baltimore Sun reports that in an effort to help protect consumers, the Federal Trade Commission is trying to crack down on the harmful method.

Yo-yo financing is when auto dealers themselves provide consumers with loans. After letting the customer drive off with their new car, the dealer will then call them back and tell them that the financing did not work out – often resulting in the customer having to sign a new, less favorable deals.

"It's a major problem in our state and other states," Karen Straughn, an assistant attorney general in Maryland, told the news source.

Though it may be a large problem, there are certain ways around it. The news provider reports that many consumers are instead turning to the internet to shop around for deals on financing before purchasing their car.

Experts suggest that anybody looking to finance a car should be sure to check their credit first to inform themselves of anything that might keep them from getting a loan.