Can I sue a person that sold me a car without being the official owner?

[kevchh]

Texas

A person sold me a car and sign on the title as seller and even fill the form 130-U. But when I check in detail the title the official owner of the car was other person. It appears that this person bought the car and never change the ownership and now I have a title with a wrong signature that I cannot put under my name. I tried to talk to the person to get my money back and return the car but it was not possible.

 

[adjusterjack]

Yes, you can sue to rescind the deal.

Also report him to the DMV as title jumping is likely illegal in your state.

 

[kevchh]

Thanks

Is that stated in the law?

 

[adjusterjack]

You should be able to find it in the Certificate of Title Act:

http://law.justia.com/codes/texas/2015/transportation-code/title-7/subtitle-a/chapter-501/

It won't say "title jumping" but it will describe the requirements of transferring title.

 

[kevchh]

What is the penalty for doing this? I would try to get my money back but I wanted to tell the person the consequence for doing this. I have the title with her signature as the seller/agent and the 130-U form. She complain that is not a fraud because I was awared of that but the only evidence she may have is a facebook conversation on wich somebody could interpret that Im I knew that she was not the owner befor I bought it. The previous owner submited a form of release of liability under her name. Could that affect me or her in case I decide to take the path of the bonded title?