Is this considered forgery or fraud?

Question

If I am co-owner of a car and the other party traded it in on a new car without my (official) signature- isn't that forgery? What liability does the dealership have in accepting the title without verifying the signatures?

Answer 1

The only thing I can figure is he forged your signature on the title. Now what do you want to do about it. You could go to the police and file forgery charges and have him locked up.

You could go to the dealer and take a look at the title, if they still have it, or at least talk to the saleman and see if he remembers the car. Whatever you do, don't delay on it. If you're going after him do it now that you know. If you delay then his lawyer will say that you agreed to the deal by your silence. Good luck

BTW: Is your name on the new cars title? If it is then you may be held liable for the loan too. Just wondering?

OKLATOM had a good point, the title has to read "AND" and not "OR". If not then you are out of luck, but still you would have him in small claims, I would think. good luck again

Answer 2

The dealership would have no liability. They do not require notarized signatures on a title.

If the title was in bob or mary smith then the co owner would be able to sell without your signature or consent.

Answer 3

Possibly neither, depending on the title. If it says John Smith AND Mary Doe, then your signature is required before anything could be done with the vehicle. If it said John Smith OR Mary Doe, then either of you without the consent or even knowledge of the other could do anything with the vehicle.

So, was it "AND" or was it "OR"? If OR, you're stuck and the dealership did nothing wrong.

Answer 4

Yes it is. Odds are they did SOMETHING to verify a signature. Your issue is with the co-owner; and you'll probably have to end up in small claims court