If you find yourself in a state that allows bonded titles, consider yourself fortunate. The bonded title process provides a legitimate avenue for obtaining a title for a vehicle when you lack the proper documentation. However, before you can embark on this journey to secure a bonded title, there’s a crucial step that might seem inconvenient but plays a pivotal role in safeguarding your interests – the VIN inspection.
Before delving into the importance of VIN inspections, let’s briefly outline how the bonded title process works. To initiate the process, you’ll need to sign affidavits detailing how you acquired the vehicle, fill out necessary forms, and obtain a surety bond certificate. This surety bond essentially acts as a financial guarantee to the state that you are the rightful owner of the vehicle.
However, one integral step in this process involves the inspection of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This inspection is typically conducted by a law enforcement agent – someone sworn and authorized by the state. While some states may allow a DMV agent or a notary to perform the inspection, in most cases, it requires the presence of a law enforcement official.
Why is a VIN inspection a non-negotiable part of the bonded title process? The primary reason is to combat the creation of “clone cars.” These are vehicles that criminals alter by changing the VIN to hide the fact that they are stolen. The VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, is akin to a car’s social security number, uniquely identifying each vehicle.
Without a VIN inspection, there’s a risk of titling a vehicle that has a fake VIN, concealing its stolen status. Thieves often steal the VIN and affix it to a stolen car, creating a situation where the license plate corresponds to a car with no criminal record. This scenario can lead unsuspecting buyers or title holders into legal complications and potential safety risks.
Consider the case of a woman who purchased a vehicle only to discover that the title was registered to someone else when she attempted to complete the process. This discrepancy arose due to the absence of a VIN inspection. The vehicle, unbeknownst to the buyer, turned out to be stolen, putting her at risk of legal repercussions.
While preventing vehicle theft is a critical aspect of VIN inspections, these inspections also serve to verify the accuracy of the VIN number on your title. Typos and errors in VIN numbers on titles are more common than you might think. The inconvenience of a VIN inspection ensures that the correct VIN is associated with your title, preventing future complications.
While it might be inconvenient to coordinate a VIN inspection with law enforcement – involving either bringing the car to them or having them come to you – consider it an investment in the long-term assurance of your vehicle ownership. This inconvenience is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your paperwork is accurate, your vehicle is legitimate, and you’ve taken steps to protect your interests.
Have you encountered challenges or surprises during the VIN inspection process? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Let’s navigate the intricacies of the bonded title journey together, ensuring that every step is a step towards a secure and legitimate vehicle ownership.
In the midst of the ongoing supply chain crisis in the U.S., where everything from electric vehicle batteries to lumber faces delays, a new and unexpected challenge emerges – a shortage of paper. Yes, you read that right. Even mundane items like paper are not immune to the far-reaching impacts of disrupted supply chains.
Government agencies, particularly the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), are grappling with delayed vehicle title issuances due to an unforeseen shortage of special tamper-proof paper. This unique paper, akin to the kind used for printing currency or official documents, is not your everyday stationery. Stored securely in vaults and safes at the DMV, it comes equipped with watermarks and security features to prevent unauthorized duplication.
In a case highlighting the severity of the issue, Oklahoma and several other states are experiencing delays of eight to 12 weeks in processing vehicle titles. The cause? The producer of this specialized paper, faced with challenges like labor shortages and scarcity of raw materials, is unable to keep up with the demand.
The need for such high-security paper for vehicle titles is not arbitrary. These documents serve as legal certificates of ownership, and authorities take measures to ensure they are not easily replicable. The scarcity of this unique paper adds an unforeseen layer of complexity to an already strained supply chain.
To underscore the importance of using specialized paper for titles, a cautionary tale emerges. Instances of individuals creating counterfeit vehicle titles have been reported. In one case, a perpetrator sold cars on platforms like Facebook using fake titles printed on ordinary paper. The victims handed over cash, only to realize they had been duped when the fraudster disappeared.
In a stroke of poetic justice, detectives tracked down the criminal after spotting the same car listed for sale on Facebook again. Setting up a buy, they apprehended the perpetrator who had attempted to exploit the trust placed in legitimate vehicle titles.
If you’re facing delays at the DMV in receiving your vehicle title, it might not just be a bureaucratic backlog. The paper shortage is a real issue, stretching the waiting times to an unexpected three months or more. As a vehicle owner or buyer, it’s crucial to be aware of these challenges.
Verifying the authenticity of your title becomes paramount. Legitimate titles are printed on the specialized paper, complete with watermarks and security features. Awareness and diligence can shield you from falling victim to schemes involving fake titles.
Have you encountered delays at your local DMV? Have you ever come across attempts to pass off fake titles? We’d love to hear your experiences. Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s navigate this unexpected twist in the supply chain together. After all, knowledge is the best tool for overcoming challenges in the ever-evolving automotive landscape.
Greetings, fellow auto enthusiasts! Today, we delve into a common misconception that often arises when individuals find themselves facing title problems – the allure of filing for an abandoned vehicle. While it might seem like a straightforward solution, it’s essential to tread carefully, as the consequences might not align with your expectations.
Many people mistakenly believe that labeling a vehicle as abandoned is a quick ticket to resolving title issues. However, in most states, initiating an abandoned vehicle process means relinquishing ownership, leading to towing, impounding, and eventual loss of the vehicle. Abandoning a vehicle, in this context, does not mean someone else left it; it means you’re willingly surrendering it.
Let’s take a closer look at Michigan’s perspective on abandoned vehicles, though the general principles apply across most states. An abandoned vehicle, according to state statutes, is one that needs removal from private property without the owner’s consent, left on a main road for an extended period, in bad condition, or poses an immediate hazard to the public. However, crucially, these vehicles are “removed” due to a request or law violation.
Suppose you find yourself with a vehicle that’s mysteriously appeared on your property, and you wish to claim it as abandoned. In that case, the legal owner or lienholder, as per the title records, can claim the vehicle. If you’re not the owner on the title history, your chances are slim. Claiming involves visiting the custodian, paying towing and storage fees, and possibly facing additional costs. If not redeemed, the vehicle might be sold at public auction, leaving you with no rights.
If the abandoned vehicle route seems daunting or unfeasible, consider alternative solutions:
While the allure of abandoning a vehicle might seem like an easy way out, it’s crucial to evaluate alternative paths. The bonded title process, prior owner contact, or other lawful methods might better suit your situation. Remember, understanding your state’s regulations and seeking professional advice can guide you through the title maze more effectively.
For any questions or assistance with title issues, feel free to reach out to our help desk at [email protected]. You can also order titles directly from our website, CarTitles.com.
Safe travels on your title journey, and may your automotive endeavors be filled with success and clarity!
If you’ve purchased a car using a loan, you have a lien on your title. Even though lien titles are very common, many people still have questions that aren’t answered by their lienholders. It can be difficult to get answers directly from lienholders, so we’ve compiled answers to the top 5 car title lien frequently asked questions for you.
The easiest way to tell if there is a lien on a car title is to inspect the physical certificate of title. Listed on the front of the title next to or above the owner’s name will be the lienholder if the car has a lien. If there is no lienholder listed, there shouldn’t be an active lien on the car title. To double-check, obtain the VIN prior to purchasing and run a vehicle history check through an NMVTIS-approved provider. While these providers cannot reveal the lienholder or owner information, they can provide information on active title liens and state title history.
Technically, you can’t. When you have a lien on the vehicle, the lienholder is the true owner because they technically paid for the vehicle, you’re just paying them back. Even though you’re driving it and your name is also on the paperwork, selling a car with a lien title is like selling someone else’s car. Before selling a car with a lien on the title, if the loan has been satisfied, you must get a vehicle lien release from your lender. If the loan hasn’t been satisfied and you still owe money, you must pay off the loan and obtain a vehicle lien release to clear the title before selling it. If you’re looking to sell your vehicle with a lien title, make sure to discuss this with your lender first to ensure all paperwork and transfer processes are done correctly.
The loan is the amount of money you borrowed from your lender to purchase the vehicle, the lien is the security interest your lender places on the title while the loan is active. If you default on the loan, the lien gives the lender the authority to collect the vehicle if needed.
Yes, the bank can revoke your loan after you purchase the car and sign the paperwork. When purchasing a car, many dealers will have you sign a bailment agreement meaning that the loan looks like it will be approved, but it’s not totally finished processing with the bank yet. If in some set of circumstances the bank doesn’t accept your loan application, you have to bring the car back.
Why would the bank not accept your loan? There are a handful of reasons, such as a misrepresentation on the application by you or the dealership, the dealership assumed your credit was good enough, or the car doesn’t yet have insurance or meet the bank’s loan requirements.
Unless you see the title or run a VIN history report, there’s no way of knowing that a car title has a lien on it. Sometimes dealerships will have their own liens placed on their inventory if it was purchased at an auction or with a line of credit. Normally this lien gets paid off right away with the proceeds of the purchase, but there are instances where the dealership forgets to remove it, neglects to do it, or shuts down before they get the chance. If you’re purchasing from a private seller, it’s possible that the title they’re giving you is not the current title that reflects the lien. To remove a lien on your car title, you must receive a vehicle lien release from the lienholder. If you were not the original borrower, send the lienholder a letter of non-interest. The only way to remove a lien from a car title is to obtain a vehicle lien release or a letter of non-interest from the lender.
If you’ve purchased a vehicle with a loan, whether through a financing company or your dealer, then you likely have a lien on your title. Once your loan is satisfied, be sure to release your lien as soon as possible to ensure you have a clean title in your name. Until you request the lien release, the lien will stay on your title and in your lender’s name. If it’s your car, you deserve a title in your name.
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For as little as $159 for most processes, we will save you the headache and prepare all of the car title paperwork needed to get you a new title. Simply choose the title recovery method you’d like to use and we’ll get started!
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The mechanic’s lien title scam is one of the oldest title scams in the book. As a consumer, you may not be familiar with the steps of a mechanic’s lien process, but what you should know is that it’s a powerful legal process that is not taken lightly.
A mechanic’s lien is a legal right that attaches to real property (in this case, the property being the vehicle) and protects mechanics who have done work on a car. Mechanics are able to file liens against cars after they have performed repairs/repairs on them because they have been damaged by the owner. The purpose of this law is to prevent mechanics from having their work go unpaid by people who abandon their cars before paying for repairs.
Similar to a mechanic, towing companies and storage facilities can also file mechanic’s liens, sometimes referred to as towing liens or storage liens, respectively.
Scammers will use skip tracing technology to search through repo lists, delinquent loan lists, and other collection agency lists. Once their lists are created, they will contact these people saying that they can get them a clean title for their vehicle, despite the owner being behind on their loan payments.
The scammer, who is actually an unscrupulous body shop or fake company posing as a legitimate body shop, will charge the vehicle owner hundreds of dollars for their clean title and will typically keep the owner in the dark about the title recovery process being used. After receiving payment, the scammer will use the mechanic’s lien process to apply for a new certificate of title for the vehicle.
In most states, the mechanic’s lien process requires that the vehicle be sold at auction to the highest bidder. The scammer may require you to bid on your own vehicle to get it back, or it may end up being sold to someone else. Regardless, once the car has been sold under a mechanic’s lien auction, it cannot be undone.
There are many reasons why this mechanic’s lien title scam is illegal. The main reasons are fraud and that the process is being misused. This scam not only defrauds the vehicle owner but also defrauds the lender by improperly removing the loan and the next buyer by giving them an invalid title. You can use the mechanic’s lien process to get a title, but only if the vehicle and circumstances meet very specific requirements. The mechanic’s lien process cannot be used to remove a lien that has not yet been satisfied.
The bottom line is – if someone says they can get you a clean car title using a mechanic’s lien process, it’s a scam. The mechanic’s lien process is only applicable under very specific circumstances and cannot be used by consumers as a method of title recovery. When in doubt, ask questions and get legal advice if needed. If it feels too good to be true, it probably is.
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