Sold car, but buyer gave false information on B.O.S. (vehicle, buying)

[mandK]

Hi All,

I sold a car yesterday in SoCal. I met the buyer inside a local Chase bank to do the transaction. As he was filling out the bill of sale I deposited a small stack of $100 bills at a live teller.

After all was good with payment we finished the paperwork and gave him the keys.

Anyhow, I got a weird vibe about the buyer, so I looked up the buyer address on Google. He put a false address on the title and bill of sale. For other reasons I also believe he put a false name as well.

I released liability online, so I don't see how this can haunt me.

I also can't figure out why they would falsify info.

Thoughts?

thx
MandK

[Tourian]

You can't have any reasonable way of determining someone's true identity.

[oceangaia]

Maybe he plans to take the car into Mexico and sell it? Mexico is pretty strict about used car imports so he would likely have to enter on a temporary permit. Normally, these permits are good for six months and if you don't check the car back out of the country you won't be able to get another permit.

[duster1979]

You will probably find a half-dozen addresses on me in Google. People move, technology takes some time to catch up, could be as simple as that.

Since you released liability - which I assume removes your name as the owner of record, in my state we just turn in the old plates - you're off the hook for whatever happens. Unless you want to prevent him from doing something shady for the sake of being a good citizen I wouldn't worry about it.

[OpenD]

It might not have been shady at all. Many people legitimately have more than one address, and perhaps he was buying it for someone else.

But since you are off the hook legally, I wouldn't even give it another thought.

[mandK]

I suppose i'm not too worried.

But, by wrong address, I meant he put a house number that doesnt exist on that street.

[ukrkoz]

Maybe it's different in your state.
here, I have never even lifted a finger to do anything after sale. They got their title, I retained the white portion of it, tossed it into drawer, and that was it. Never had any issues or questions asked. And it by far was not a one or 2 cars.
Just forget about it.

[iTsLiKeAnEgG]

Originally Posted by ukrkoz

Maybe it's different in your state.
here, I have never even lifted a finger to do anything after sale. They got their title, I retained the white portion of it, tossed it into drawer, and that was it. Never had any issues or questions asked. And it by far was not a one or 2 cars.
Just forget about it.

I always notify the DMV online following the sale of a vehicle because if that person left my house and killed someone or committed a crime, the police won't be showing up with cake and presents.

[Electrician4you]

I make it easy on myself. When I sell a car I meet the buyer at AAA. I make it part of the condition of sale. I have sold my last two cars with this condition. I meet them at AAA and do the paperwork right there.

[Bummer]

Just to be extra safe, MandK . . .

You may want to drop by the local DMV with VIN and Tag information to verify the sale was properly recorded and you are no longer the owner and responsible for any shady stuff.

I bet you will sleep much better after your visit.