Q: I GOT SCAMMED AND I NEED HELP
I purchased a Black 2017 Honda Civic EX-L Hatchback on June 28th at 2:10 PM with no car title for $14,000 from a man named Rick.
The seller had no title, told me to go to the DMV with these forms he gave me such as Proof of Smog Certificate/Receipt,
DMV Bill Of Sale Signed, & a DMV Title Replacement Form filled out. I went to AAA to try and get the vehicle title transferred with all the paperwork I have minus the title. They tell me that the car is still under a lienholder and there are DMV Back Fees as the registration was not paid since 2022. Which was not disclosed by the Seller therefore this was an illegal fraudulent sale as he is not the owner of the car. This car has current tags however no registration was given to me at time of purchase. I contacted the seller and they said they had just paid the car off and they'll get me the proof of lien release from CarMax. I called CarMax and they confirmed there is still a Lien on it as well as an outstanding payment. What do I do?
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- California
- (916) 704-3009
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- Answered
A:
First, gather all the documents you received from the seller, including the Proof of Smog Certificate, DMV Bill Of Sale, and DMV Title Replacement Form. Keep a record of all communications with the seller and CarMax. This will be crucial evidence when reporting the fraud.
Next, contact the California DMV to report the fraudulent sale and provide them with all the documentation and details about the lienholder situation. Explain that you were unaware of the lien and the back fees and that the seller misrepresented the car's status.
Finally, you should also report the fraud to local law enforcement. Provide them with all the details and documentation you have gathered. You may need to take legal action to either get your money back or resolve the lien and registration issues. Consulting with an attorney who handles consumer protection or fraud cases could provide additional guidance and support.
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