I'm SO angry I could spit bullets!!!

On April 1st, I sold a girl who works where I do, one of my cars (1991 Mazda). I had been told she was moving far away from the job, and that she would lose her job, if she didn't get a car. So, I let her have it for a song, especially for L.A. prices. I let her have it for $200, and there was nothing wrong with it, just that I didn't have any room to keep it, anymore.

Anyway, last month, I recieved the DMV Renewal of registration stuff, because the car was ready for the 2004 stickers. So, I kinda freaked. I called her at work & asked her why I was getting it. Did she put the car in her name? "Oh yes," she told me. "I sure did, don't you worry. That kind of thing, happens a lot. " So, I let it go, thinking that this girl wouldn't be driving the car, while it's still under my name, especially knowing I work at the same place.

A couple of days ago, I recieved a deliquent ticket notice in the mail. I started freaking. I went straight to work and asked her again, if she put the car in her name. She looked me right in the eye and said, again, that she did. She was ALL sincere, and everything. In fact she was...ooooh sooo sincere, it was almost disgusting, but it sounded false to my ears. I told her that the ticket needed to be paid, she said = SHE PAID IT!! I told her to please photocopy proof of registration and payment of tickets and put them in my locker. Of course she didn't.

To make a long story short, I called the City of Los Angeles parking tickets section, and found out the ticket HADN'T been paid. So, I figured if she lied about the ticket, she probably lied about transfering the car into her name, so I called the DMV (Dept of Motor Vehicles), and they told me that the car was STILL IN MY NAME!! She had been driving around, getting parking tickets, and doing God knows what, in a car that I am still legally responsible for!!!!! The car is NOT insured, because I removed it from my insurance when I sold it to her. I do have proof that she bought it, but that wouldn't stop the cops from coming into my house and arresting me, if she committed some crime in the car, or hurt someone seriously. In fact it wouldn't stop someone from sueing me, if she hurt them in that car.

I can't believe this woman, had the NERVE to look me in the eyes and lie to me. I can't believe she was stupid enough to think she wouldn't get caught! Luckily, I'm getting a release of liability form from the DMV, and I should be protected. I only hope that I won't get stuck with her parking tickets. If I do, I will let the car get booted, and they can take it away!

as long as you have proof that she bought it you are okay. What we normally try to do when we sell a car is have the person sign the title and make a copy of it. Or we have the person sign that they are so and so and on this day they bought the car for so much money.

If I would be you , I would get some info from the Police Department and see what they have to say . You don't have to do nothing to her , but ask . My hubby is taking a nap right now , but when he gets up I will ask him . He is a Police Officer and may know a little more .

What a snake, and that's insulting snakes!
People can be so awful.
I hope it all gets sorted for you.
She's coming back as a carpet bug!

Here in MA, if you sell a car and take off the insurance you must turn in your plates. So if I sell a car, I take the plates off and turn them into DMV, then the person who buys it must go and register it under their name.

There is an option to let them keep the plates, but then you end up in a situation like you are in now. I would only do that if I sold it to a family member.

My advice, when selling a vehicle, turn in your own plates and registration to guaranty its out of your name.

Sorry your co worker did that to you, thats lousy.

Take her to civil court. What she's doing is illegal and if you have proof she could be arrested. It amounts to fraud and they're big time on this right now.

Wow, that sucks. A good example of why you always take your plates off the car when you sell it! That happened to me once too. You should contact the DMV and tell they someone is driving around with a car you sold them still in your name etc.

You can't turn in the plates in CA, that's illegal because they don't go with the owner, they go with the car.

Here you go! Something to make you feel better. I'll take care of her for you!

Originally posted by TTMom
You can't turn in the plates in CA, that's illegal because they don't go with the owner, they go with the car.

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You're kidding me?? So if you sell a car you have to give them the plates too?? So what do they do in a case like this? That's unbelievable!

Nope, that's how it works out here. I was stunned because in WY, CO, and IL the plates are yours and you are required to take them off the car.

Here in CA we just have to turn in paperwork showing the sale and date. All plates are considered part of the car.

I feel for you, it bites when people take advantage, maybe she has no idea what needs to be done to register a car.

I did talk to my husband . He say's that he don't know how the Law wold be there where you live . But the best would be that you would right away cansel your insurance on that car . So call your insurance and see if you can do that , and don't forget to go or call the police and ask them what to do . Sorry I was not much help to you .

I agree, consult with the police. This sounds like a case for Judge Judy!

That little witch knows what she is doing! IMFreakingO, I think she milked you ($200!!!! you are way nice) and she will continue the 'innocent' milking. File a police report on her, nip this in the rear before it gets worse and lands you in trouble.

Originally posted by TTMom
Nope, that's how it works out here. I was stunned because in WY, CO, and IL the plates are yours and you are required to take them off the car.

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The plates belong to the owner in Michigan and Utah too. And if you don't take them off when you sell the vehicle you can get in pretty big trouble.