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Call Kurtis: Car Buyer Stuck With Prior Owner's DMV Bounced Check Fee

ROSEVILLE (CBS13) - Lee Murch bought a used van from someone online. After transferring it into his name, he learned he was on the hook for a bounced check that was tied to the prior owner.

"I checked the oil, I checked the water," said Murch.

But he didn't think to check to see if the guy he bought it from was up to date on his Department of Motor Vehicles registration fees.

Several weeks after buying the van a letter showed up from the DMV saying he owed $297 including penalties. Turns out, the former owner's check for registration bounced.

"It's not my bill; I don't understand why you guys don't go after the gentleman who bounced the check," said Murch.

But the DMV said the van is now in his name and he would have to pay.

"It's kinda like arresting the bystander that watched the burglary because you didn't want to run after the burglar," said Murch.

We asked the DMV why Murch owes money for the prior owner's bounced check?

"It's not really the check he's responsible for; he's responsible for the previous registration," said Jessica Gonzalez DMV Spokesperson.

Gonzales says outdated registration fees travel with the vehicle and before buying any used car you should demand proof those are paid.

She suggests saying, "I'm not going to buy this vehicle from you until I see that that registration is up to date."

If Murch wants to get his money back he'll have to sue the guy who sold him the van.

"It feels like being extorted without question," he said.

If he doesn't pay for the back registration fees, his tax refund could be garnished.

The DMV did waive the bounced check fees for Murch.

You cannot call the DMV to check on a car's registration before you buy it. So you need to inspect the registration paperwork and make sure it's not doctored or you can make an appointment with the seller and the DMV to go over it.

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