Car Title, Impound responsibility question...

[jonesy7]

I live in Washington state. Been looking around for information on what I can do in this situation and this seemed like a good place to ask.

I had a car that was totaled 6 years ago. The insurance company paid out on the car, took possession.and later sold it off to a dealer in Oregon state. It turns out they never transfered the title, and being young and naive I didn't either. Fast Forward to present time, a Collection agency claims I owe 1200$ for impound fees. I got in touch with the insurance agency that handled the claim and they sent me documents showing the car being totaled, and sold in Oregon. Is there much of anything I can do? Or am I stuck paying off these fees?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by jonesy7

Is there much of anything I can do? Or am I stuck paying off these fees?

This one is easy. Tell the sleazy-slimy, bottom-feeding debt collector to 'Fogetboutit!. There is no way that they can force you to pay their claim.
Send them a very nice 'cease and desist' letter including the threat that you would take legal action if they falsely report this debt to the credit agency's.
A good sample letter can be found online at [url=http://www.creditinfocenter.com/forms/]Sample letters for use in credit repair, debt consolidation, credit disputes[/url]
or
[url=http://www.ihatedebt.com/DealingWithYourCreditors/DealingWithDebtCollectors/Cease_and_Desist_Letter_for_Debt_Collectors.php]Cease and Desist Letter for Debt Collectors[/url]

[jonesy7]

Thanks for the reply. Some new info that might change the answer though, I'm not sure...

I got in touch with the County Auditors office, and they claim the car is still in my name. The insurance company never did a transfer of title. I do have a copy of the Bill of Sale from the insurance company to a car dealer in Oregon.

The debt collector pretty much told me that he didn't care what documents I had, and they had placed a lien on my Driver's License.

[racer72]

There is no such thing as placing a lein against a driver's license in Washington. Do as JETX suggested, you won't hear from them again.

[ecmst12]

Call the DMV, but most likely they are full of crap.