Can the co signer on the loan of my car take my car from me???

I think the lawyer you spoke to gave sound advice. As for returning the down payment, to be nice I guess you can give the $500 back but I dont believe you are required to.

 

Yes. It's absolutely true.

Not only can't they take the car but they cannot compel you to refinance either no matter how many lawyers they get to "write you a letter."

Keep a set of photocopies with you at all times along with your registration (required by law) but lock up the title (if you have it) in a safe place and just carry a photocopy.

I agree. Ignore the letter, ignore the cosigner, block his calls, emails, texts. You have no obligation to this person at all.

Doesn't matter what order the names appear on the loan. Only matters whose name is on the title and that's just you.

That would be Grand Theft Auto and you call the police instantly should anybody try it.

Well, anybody can sue anybody for anything, but I don't see him having any chance of winning.

As long as you are making the payments and keeping current on the loan, you're fine.

I agree with Kyle about sending back the $500 if you can scrape it up soon. Make sure you keep a copy of the check. Mark it "return of gift." Never put anything in writing that might be construed as admitting to a loan.

 

I did offer to pay her back but she refused. They also have the second key to the vehicle which they refuse to give back to me. I have went through to the police which they stated they cant force them to give the key back because it is a civil matter which I do understand. I also have a master lock for the steering to prevent it from moving the vehicle even if they turn it on.

 

she refused when I did offer to pay her back while we were sitting in the financial room of the dealership.

 

Well I think you did you due diligence on it. If it does end up going to court and they want the money you can possibly try to subpoena the finance person or anyone that heard the no.

 

That's a risk. And, yes, it's a civil matter.

I suggest at least getting the door locks changed. Might be costly but would avoid the sudden disappearance of the car and the expensive hassle it would take to get back.

You also have the option of suing them for "replevin" to recover the keys. I don't know if you can do it in small claims court.

If you are willing to go to court over the keys, you might first try a demand letter with a copy of a completed (but not filed) replevin complaint form (get one from the court website) and give them a deadline date to give you the keys or you will sue them. Don't bluff. Be willing and able to do it if they don't come across.

Or, get a very loud alarm installed that goes off even if somebody puts a key in the lock. I have a car that does that if I forget to turn off the alarm before I unlock the door.

 

I will probably jus change the locks if anything.

if anything I would probably change the locks but that would be in due time. So I should just ignore them? and when u had mentioned the title above, I don't have it. I actually wont be able to get it until the vehicle is paid off. I feel more relaxed now I got a second opinion about this but I am not going to let my guard down.

 

Yes.

Yeah, common practice this days with lenders holding the title. In the old days the owner got the title paper showing the lender on the title as lienholder.

You have enough paperwork to show ownership but go to the IL DMV website and put in your car's VIN on the following page:

Title and Registration Status Inquiry

Something should come up showing you as owner. Take a screen shot with Windows' Snipping Tool, save it to your computer and print out a copy to keep with your papers.

 

I did do that but its not showing the name of the owner at all. its jus saying multi owner? Yor N and its saying No jus not the name of the owner

 

Multiowner means you and the lender.
Call the lender, ask them whose name is on the title.
I suspect lender and you, because lender holds a lien.
Anyway, soon you'll solve the mystery.

 

I am actually on the title. Ive spoken with the dealership titles and they told me im the only one on the title and even on my regristration

 

Well, that solves the mystery. So, you follow the suggestion submitted and things should be golden.

 

So if they were to show up anywhere at my jobs and try to take my car what do I do? N how do I attain a copy of my title if that's possible. Would I go to that dealership and ask them?

 

Call the police.

No. The lender holds the title in IL. You can call and ask for a photocopy. They might not be obliged to give it to you.

 

The sooner you get the locks rekeyed, taking your car with the old key wont be a possibility.

If they do take your car, or anyone takes your car report it to the police.

Also, make sure you have sufficient insurance to protect your financial interests.
That means, obtain at least 100/300/100 coverage with deductibles that you can easily afford to cover.

I have far more coverage, along with a $20,000,000 umbrella policy.

Insurance is affordable, make sure you understand yours, meet with a couple trusted insurance agents. Most of them aren't just salespeople, the best ones can be quite helpful.

 

I do have that insurance

 

You need to keep all your discussion in this thread where all the background. I've moved your update here and deleted the other post. Don't open any more new threads. Thank you.

 

My apologies