"sold" a car, didnt get the cash,buyer moved...

[stressedoutTX]

OK, the long and short of it...
met buyer at tax office to transfer title.
learned that I first had to have it transfered to my name which would take about three weeks. Then I would sign over to buyer and be done.
(STUPIDLY) Decided to let buyer take car and I would call when title arrived (Seemed like a nice, upstanding FAMILY)
Now title is here, but I cant reach the buyer by phone and their # is not listed. They moved.
I know what town they live in, and the name but not much else!!!
Any way to track them down through public rec's? Or SOMTHING???They owe me $4,000.00 !!!!
Please help.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

OK, the long and short of it...
met buyer at tax office to transfer title.
learned that I first had to have it transfered to my name which would take about three weeks. Then I would sign over to buyer and be done.
(STUPIDLY) Decided to let buyer take car and I would call when title arrived (Seemed like a nice, upstanding FAMILY)
Now title is here, but I cant reach the buyer by phone and their # is not listed. They moved.
I know what town they live in, and the name but not much else!!!
Any way to track them down through public rec's? Or SOMTHING???They owe me $4,000.00 !!!!
Please help.

My response:

Call the police in the town where they moved to and report the vehicle "stolen". Since they moved and failed to contact you, and since they don't have a receipt for payment of the car, and since title is in your name, and not theirs, they can't register it, therefore it's as good as stolen.

Let the cops retrieve your vehicle. They're catch up to them in short order.

IAAL