My brother sold me a car under a dealers license without supervision now the dealer is holding my title hostage and I feel completely alone — California
Location: California
So I’m in a really frustrating situation and I need advice.
My brother was selling cars under a licensed dealer’s license without proper supervision. He told me about a 2016 Honda CRV available and I purchased it from him. I sold my own car and gave him $3,200 cash plus additional Zelle payments for the registration and fees.
The dealer processed my registration paperwork and the California DMV officially shows me as the registered owner with NO lienholder on my record. However the title transfer is still incomplete because the dealer has never submitted the title to the DMV. Now the dealer is claiming the car was not paid for because my brother allegedly owes them around $70,000 from other transactions they did together. They are essentially holding my title hostage over my brother’s debt which has nothing to do with me.
My brother has since left the state and is unreachable. Yes I know I can file a civil case on him but also I know that doesn’t always mean I will get paid.
On top of that the dealer has been repeatedly contacting my parents demanding they pay my brother’s debt which they have nothing to do with either. I have: • Official DMV records showing me as registered owner with no lienholder • Registration receipt with my name dated 08/29/2025 • Text messages showing the car deal with my brother • Zelle payment records • VIN report
My questions are: 1. Can a dealer legally withhold my title over someone else’s debt? 2. Can they put a lien on my car retroactively? 3. Is the dealer liable for unsupervised transactions conducted under their license? 4. Can I claim compensation for $781 in accumulated registration penalties? 5. Is repeatedly contacting my parents about someone else’s debt illegal in California? 6. What is my strongest legal path forward? Any advice from people who have dealt with dealer fraud or California consumer protection laws would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I feel so screwed with no help. I feel so angry that my brother took money from me. I’m his younger sister I work hard I went to school I was the first one to finish with a degree I work full time saved up money for him just to take that away from me. He left the state got himself a blue collard job. It just makes me angry you know as woman it’s not easy to find a good paying job and he just took my money left and got himself a good paying job and now I’m here feeling so fucked over.