Car is held hostage by seller, please help! (Minneapolis: sale, insurance)

[ClaireMnpls]

Hello, I’m writing the following on behalf of my elderly neighbor Claire.

I’m an elderly in quarantine at home due to coronavirus. I bought a car, a simple car for errands from online seller last month shortly before the outbreak. I was not able to transfer the title for the obvious reason. Some time yesterday my neighbor(that’s me!) saw a certain ethnic man break into the car and drive away. When she described him I knew it was most likely the seller or his friends who I gave $7200 to just few weeks ago. The seller asked me for my driver license so he knew my home address. I live in a very quiet street by the lake. I called the police to file a report, however when I explained the situation the officer stated that it’s not theft if the seller took back his car since it’s registered under his name. I showed the officer the bill of sale and photo copy of the title that I had good mind to keep. The original was inside the car. The officer was adamant that he couldn’t do anything and that in situations like this I most likely will never see the car or the few items I had inside of it. I had few important mail papers from the post office and money in there.


Can you lovely folks assist me?

[Cruz Azul Guy]

Was the title transferred? My guess is no. If not, was the sale reported online to Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services website? Was the car covered by your neighbor’s insurance? If none of these things were done then I think your neighbor would have a difficult time proving that she bought and owned this vehicle.

[ClaireMnpls]

Originally Posted by Cruz Azul Guy

Was the title transferred? My guess is no. If not, was the sale reported online to Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services website? Was the car covered by your neighbor’s insurance? If none of these things were done then I think your neighbor would have a difficult time proving that she bought and owned this vehicle.

Hi,

The title was not transferred because she bought the car the end of last month and has been in quarantine for the most part since. According to the DMV the sale was indeed reported by the seller on 2/26/2020 which is the same date that Claire’s funds were withdrawn and the receipt and bill of sale both show that same date. Yes she does have insurance on the car but because the officer refused to give her a report they said they’re unable to do anything.

[Glenfield]

You say that the person who stole the car was “...most likely the seller or his friends...” based on your description of the thief to the neighbor. That doesn’t seem strong enough evidence to accuse the seller.

Has the owner called the police dept. to speak to someone higher up? I would do that and I would also call the insurance company ASAP.

[ClaireMnpls]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

You say that the person who stole the car was “...most likely the seller or his friends...” based on your description of the thief to the neighbor. That doesn’t seem strong enough evidence to accuse the seller.

Has the owner called the police dept. to speak to someone higher up? I would do that and I would also call the insurance company ASAP.

Sorry the reason why Claire thought it was the seller is because she bought the car from young short Hispanic male she says. The person I saw fits this description, also we live on the end of quiet street and everyone knows everyone here. This guy knew the car and walked right up to it unlocked it and drove away casually.

Claire has called the police and once she reported her suspicions that she thinks it’s the Hispanic guy she bought the car from the officer shut her down and said no report needed...hire a lawyer. I helped her call the police station and requested to speak with supervisor but we haven’t received a call. Today I called the sheriff department for her and the AG office and they said that this actually a common scam but the police need to open a case first. Her insurance company filed a claim for her but told her they can’t move forward until the police report is filed. And they also are having issue with the car not being on her name yet. So the whole thing is just a complete mess! Claire has no kids and has numerous health issues. We actually chipped in last year to have her roof fixed. This is incredibly saddening!

[Glenfield]

Originally Posted by ClaireMnpls

Sorry the reason why Claire thought it was the seller is because she bought the car from young short Hispanic male she says. The person I saw fits this description, also we live on the end of quiet street and everyone knows everyone here. This guy knew the car and walked right up to it unlocked it and drove away casually.

Claire has called the police and once she reported her suspicions that she thinks it’s the Hispanic guy she bought the car from the officer shut her down and said no report needed...hire a lawyer. I helped her call the police station and requested to speak with supervisor but we haven’t received a call. Today I called the sheriff department for her and the AG office and they said that this actually a common scam but the police need to open a case first. Her insurance company filed a claim for her but told her they can’t move forward until the police report is filed. And they also are having issue with the car not being on her name yet. So the whole thing is just a complete mess! Claire has no kids and has numerous health issues. We actually chipped in last year to have her roof fixed. This is incredibly saddening!

Are you in Minneapolis, St Paul, or a suburb? If it’s the latter, call the Chief of Police. If it’s one of the former, they won’t be very responsive, but maybe call your city council member.

[Threestep2]

You bought the car.
Claire bought the car.
A neighbor saw the break in and theft.
You saw the break in and theft.
You left mail and money in the car.

Every police officer has a supervisor.

[DaveinMtAiry]

Originally Posted by Threestep2

You bought the car.
Claire bought the car.
A neighbor saw the break in and theft.
You saw the break in and theft.
You left mail and money in the car.

Every police officer has a supervisor.

OP is named Claire, so is the neighbor apparently. The scenario is so confusing I have no idea who did what.

[Glenfield]

Originally Posted by DaveinMtAiry

OP is named Claire, so is the neighbor apparently. The scenario is so confusing I have no idea who did what.

The first post is written by the neighbor in Claire’s voice. She is helping Claire tell her story. The posts after that are written by the neighbor in her own voice. Claire is the elderly lady whose car was stolen. Her neighbor who witnessed the theft is doing the posting.

[TheGrandViking]

Did Claire give him her social security number? If so, she will probably need to freeze her accounts. If she payed by check, the person now has her account number and can write and create checks from her account.

Claire will need to audit all of her financial accounts and check with the financial bureaus (the could create credit cards in her name with her SS#). Hope this is unnecessary.