Help Me Hank: Help Me Hank! Donated Car

It was a good deed gone bad for Attleboro real estate broker Martha Conti when her 1986 red caddy had finally had it. Instead of selling her vintage wheels, Martha decided to donate the car to a good cause.

Martha Conti, Donated Her Car
"We thought it would be more useful if we did the donation."

She signed over the title to charity, returned her plates to the registry and bought a brand new car.

Martha Conti, Donated Her Car
"Once I donated the car, I thought I’d never even think about it again."

But some time later, a notice-to-appear appeared in the mail. It seems Martha had to appear in court or pay a $370 fine for her abandoned vehicle. Abandoned vehicle?!?

Martha Conti, Donated Her Car
"I was shocked and amazed to get this notice."

Why should Martha pay a fine? She didn’t abandon it, she donated it, and she had the paperwork to prove it. She called the police and city hall, but no deal. Show up in court they said and if you don't...

Martha Conti, Donated Her Car
"I was not going to be able to re-register my car or renew my driver’s license."

Yikes! Martha sent in the paperwork proving the car was no longer hers. No response.

Martha Conti, Donated Her Car
"So, I thought, I need some help."

We knew the deal with this one. Our investigation a few years ago found a glitch in state regulations. The RMV only recognizes the last person who registered the vehicle, so if the new owner doesn't file the proper paperwork, the registry's only records will be wrong.

Why didn’t the charity register it? They told us they never register cars. They sell them and get the money. The new buyer is supposed to register it, but this one apparently didn't.

We called the Worcester police and we faxed them the evidence. And shortly after, Martha got a new notice saying case dismissed.

Martha Conti, Donated Her Car
"I was thrilled."

The bottom line: if you sell or donate your car, keep all the paperwork. That's the only proof the car is now someone else's responsibility.

(Copyright (c) 2005 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)