Specifies that a report of sale is not proof of a completed vehicle transfer for the purpose of collection of expenses where there is no evidence indicating the buyer knew of or was a party to the acceptance of the vehicle transfer.
Allows a buyer, where there was no acceptance of the transfer, to recover costs associated with the towing, storage, auction, or any other damages incurred, such as reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs, against the person who filed the fraudulent report of sale.
Prohibits a collection agency from bringing an action or initiating an arbitration proceeding on a claim for any amount related to a transfer of sale of a vehicle when the collection agency has been informed that the transfer of the vehicle was not a legal transfer, not accepted by purchaser, sellers report properly filed, or a police report states that there was not a legal transfer.
Provides that where a person has caused a victim to lose money or property through a fraudulent filing of a report of sale, the court may order the defendant to pay restitution not to exceed double the amount of the defendant's gain or victim's loss.
Provides that the liability remains with the last registered owner to prove the vehicle transfer was a legal transfer if the reported buyer did not know of the transfer.
Changes the due date for a report of sale from 21 business days to five business days.
From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESHB 2274), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗