I might be in BIGGGG trouble PLEASE PLEASE HELP!

What is the name of your state? Florida currently in Canada

Hi,

I am totally freaking out here. I left the States for Canada in late January to work a temporary job. I was in really bad financial trouble in Florida and called the bank to have my car voluntarily repossesed before I left. (Bank was located several hundred miles away) The bank said not to leave the keys in the vehicle, to leave them with a neighbor and this is just what I did. Since I really didn't know my neighbors I had no choice but to hand the keys to my next door neighbor. Well I forgot to take my tag, left my insurance card and registration in the car in my haste of moving. Well I just got a notice in the mail from the bank indicating that they had just now repossesed the vehicle from a public vehicle impound on June 1st! I found this quite shocking, until I checked my insurance policy online (expired months ago because I couldn't pay) with a new claim number. I e-mailed the insurance company who indicated that it was the bank who had filed for a claim because the front bumper, quarter, and drivers' door were all smashed up.

Now I am worried that this neighbor was using my vehicle for the last 4 months, got into an accident with it, and claimed to be me!

I filed form http://www3.hsmv.state.fl.us/Intranet/dmv/Forms/BTR/82050.pdf
based on this and backdated it to the date before I left the country in accordance with http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/protect.html.

Also, I am showing that my Florida Drivers' License is still clear at:

https://www4.hsmv.state.fl.us/dlstatus.html

And that the vehicle tag shows only the leinholder (banks) name at:

https://www4.hsmv.state.fl.us/mvstatus.html

I sent it via email to the Florida HSMV as an attachment (electronically signed the pdf file) However, they are not following up with me. I am probably going to have to send this via certified mail.

I just don't know what to do as I will be heading back to the United States soon and don't want to be "processed" civilly or criminally.

I am afraid to go back to Florida and get arrested, since I don't know what may have happened with this car. Even if I have copies of my iteneraries and can prove that I was outside of the U.S. I don't think that the police would want to hear it, and would probably want me to tell it to the judge.

I figure that by calling the "neighbor" I gave the keys to, he could just tell me anything and lead me down the wrong path since he is the one who probably wrecked the car in the first place.

I don't have any money for an attorney either. I am very very worried.

Please help me, Thank you!

Generally if law enforcement ticket someone, you MUST provide a valid drivers license. Unless by some chance your drivers license and this person remarkably resembles you, they will not have a warrant.

BUT, if your vehicle was involved in an accident, such as a hit and run, and your vehicle with the LPN still on it was identified THEN you may have MUCH to worry about.

Why don't you just call the jurisdiction where this took place and inquire as to if you have a warrant, and explain your situation to them?

It sounds suspicious that a lein holder would suggest that you leave your(thier) property unattended with someone else. Not to mention that you should not have done so, as you well know now.

It is weird that they would ask me to do this. Now I know better, if there is a next time. I am going to do as you say for starters.

As far as the warrant is concerned, and I don't mean to be a URL fiend here (but I am probably going to help people here with this)

https://taxapp2.state.fl.us/cse/writs/

and

http://www3.fdle.state.fl.us/fdle/wpersons_search.asp

Wouldn't this show whether or not I have a warrant out for me?

Maybe the guy hit a pole and kept walking citing that the car wasn't his.

I just don't know, I'll try my best.

BTW - What is an LPN...thanks!

I rushed through my post, sorry.

I was stating that I hope you did not leave your driver's license in your car too, and the person operating the vehicle looked remarkably like you, it would be highly unlikely you received a ticket by proxy.

But in the event the vehicle was involved in a hit and run and the vehicle, along with the LPN (License Plate Number) which still returned to you, then there may be a chance you are wanted for questioning or have a warrant.

I do not place much faith in online searches for information as it varies as to how current the information is and there are too many variables involved in data input. Don't count on anything you find UNLESS it comes from the SOURCE.

Just bite the bullet and make the call.

p.s. It appears one of your links is associated with child support.

No need to be sorry, thank you so much for taking the time to try and help me out!

I am going to call.

The other url is probably going to be for non-payors of child support etc.

Take care

...and by the way.....I posted this problem on another legal forum and the thought came up that I might have perjured myself by electronically signing the form because I did not actually sell the vehicle....also who is liable for damages caused by the vehicle (if any) the bank or me?

hmmm