Help Me Hank: Help Me Hank! Missing title

Bumper to bumper traffic, brake lights, horns. It's the daily commuter grind and Bob knows all about it. He lives in New Hampshire and works in Massachusetts, and drives more than 500 miles a week!

Robert Lussier, commuter
"I spend a lot of time in the car."

Bob wanted something a little more comfy to drive, and figured he'd give his old four-door to his son. So, he found this used car at a Massachusetts dealership. Reluctantly, he bought it without the car's title, but the dealer promised it would arrive by mail.

Robert Lussier, commuter
"That was a little strange, but I felt comfortable with the dealership."

Bob went to the New Hampshire registry and got his 20-day plates. The commute cruised by for the next 2 and half weeks. But then it came to a screeching halt. The plates had expired. And Bob still had no title.

Robert Lussier, commuter
"I expected within the week to receive all the documentation that I needed."

Without the title there was no way to register the car and no way to get official plates. That meant no way to legally drive the car! Where was the title? Bob called the dealer but got no explanation.

Robert Lussier, commuter
"I was a little disappointed."

His new car was sitting in the driveway. Un-drivable! For three months: e-mails, phone calls. No title and no explanation. Even worse, Bob was making insurance and car payments! Time to get things moving.

Robert Lussier, commuter
"I called Help me Hank."

A car sold without a title? We told the dealership in Massachusetts, no can do. That's illegal. They actually admitted they never had the title, the bank did.

When we called the bank, they said the car's original owner had the title. We went back to the dealer. Find the original owner we said, and get that title.

And they did.

Soon after Bob and the title were back at the registry and he walked out with his permanent plates! Happy ending? Not quite yet.

Remember Bob's untitled car was un-drivable for months. We suggested the dealer pay Bob back for the insurance and car payments.

And they did.

And soon after, Bob got a big check. And now that happy ending! Bob has plates, title, money back, and he's back on the road.

Robert Lussier, commuter
"I'm very happy with the car."

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter
The title proves you own the car! So don't buy a car without it, that's illegal, no matter what the dealer tells you.

(Copyright 2007 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)