# My leased car got sold illegally while I’m still under the lease terms **URL:** \ **Category:** Ask the Hackrs\ **Tags:** legal, usa-nationwide\ **Created:** [September 17, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317 "2026-09-17T21:46:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lancelot](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/lancelot/32/244022_2.png) [@lancelot](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/lancelot)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/1 "2026-09-17T21:46:21Z")
I got a call from a dealership in FL telling me they bought my Hummer EV from a dealership in LA and it turned out to be a scam on the dealership. I have my car, I have 9 months left on the lease. Carfax shows now the full chain of possession from the fake dealer to the new dealer to a third party that the new dealer purchased it for ( their finance manager wanted it). They have contacted law enforcement and GM financial but my insurance co said they won’t insure the car if it’s been sold and I am more than willing to drop it off at the dealership and let them sort the mess out but there is no way I’m paying the monthly for a car that has been fraudulently sold and I can register so I’m assuming I’m gonna have a fight on my hands with GM. Has anyone dealt with this or heard of it? I would love any advice as i have another car to drive and would love to save the 9 months of payments if I can. ---
**Author:** ![jeisensc](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/jeisensc/32/224821_2.png) [@jeisensc](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/jeisensc)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/2 "2026-09-17T21:51:01Z")
What did GM financial tell you to do with their car when you called them? Not that you asked, but I would: - get all my possessions/papers out of the car including toll pass, gas receipts - Remove and secure (don’t erase) memory cards from dash cam - Remove garage door opener / reset home-link pairing Be prepared to unceremoniously lose possession at any time. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![lancelot](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/lancelot/32/244022_2.png) [@lancelot](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/lancelot)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 9:57pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/3 "2026-09-17T21:57:12Z")
They didnt say anything other than they are investigating it and when I asked about dropping it off at the dealer they said I would still be responsible for the remaining payments. I appreceate the advice ---
**Author:** ![mani\_is\_kool](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/mani_is_kool/32/11116_2.png) [@mani\_is\_kool](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/mani_is_kool)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 10:06pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/4 "2026-09-17T22:06:13Z")
Wow. This is crazy. I would continue making payment and keep driving as its urs. U have it registered still and u have insurance on it as well. Dont drop either. Let GM investigate it and get back to you. Tell the dealer that got scammed to reach out to their law enforcement agencies. What state are you in ? What state is the dealer who supposedly bought it in ? Also make copies of all your docs like current registration and insurnace cards and keep at home seperately. ---
**Author:** ![lancelot](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/lancelot/32/244022_2.png) [@lancelot](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/lancelot)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 10:08pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/5 "2026-09-17T22:08:58Z")
Yea it’s wild. I’m in CT and the dealer is in FL ---
**Author:** ![EC99](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/ec99/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@EC99](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/EC99)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/6 "2026-09-17T22:12:38Z")
I agree with all the steps @jeisensc said. But personally I would rather figure this out while keeping possession of the car. So I would be putting it somewhere that it can’t get taken without a court order. Ideally a locked garage. I’d like to hear a lawyer in CT explain to a judge in CT why they need a CT repo order for a car that is supposedly in Florida. ---
**Author:** ![YoloYoda](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/yoloyoda/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@YoloYoda](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/YoloYoda)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/7 "2026-09-17T22:20:22Z")
Absolutely don’t drop it off at the dealer. This car is ultimately owned by GM Financial who will come after you if the car is missing for any reason when you need to turn it in at the end of your lease. Continue making payments on the car and drive it as usual. As others have said, make copies of all documents and keep them safe. Hopefully this will be resolved before your lease turn in. Try to get things in writing from GM Financial of any updates or requests. ---
**Author:** ![lancelot](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/lancelot/32/244022_2.png) [@lancelot](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/lancelot)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/8 "2026-09-17T22:33:32Z")
All great advice and thanks everyone BUT how do I drive a car that can’t be insured since the insurance company can see it’s been sold to someone else? That’s why I want to drop it off at the dealer and stop paying it. ---
**Author:** ![mani\_is\_kool](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/mani_is_kool/32/11116_2.png) [@mani\_is\_kool](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/mani_is_kool)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/9 "2026-09-17T22:34:09Z")
Im not sure on this but maybe some legal experts on here can chime in, since you received a call informing you of this, maybe report to your local police department pr county sheriff as well just to file a report to be safe ? You drive your car mostly in yiur city and county so hopefully you or a family member dont get pulled over by local authorities for the wrong reason. You can let ur local law enforcement know that you have alerted GM financial. ---
**Author:** ![mani\_is\_kool](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/mani_is_kool/32/11116_2.png) [@mani\_is\_kool](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/mani_is_kool)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/10 "2026-09-17T22:36:34Z")
Wait why did the insurnace company drop the insurance ? How did they find out ? Did you report it to them ? Insurance company can insure a car for a driver even if they are not the owner, at least in FL i have seen it. Example friend borrowing and driving another friends car for a month or two, borrower can add but lender also keeps the car insured under his policy. Regardless if ur current insurance has dropped it, get insurance on another carrier? ---
**Author:** ![Ursus](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/ursus/32/4944_2.png) [@Ursus](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Ursus)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 11:05pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/11 "2026-09-17T23:05:19Z")
You call insurance and tell them that you want to insure a car that does not belong to you. How does that sound? 😏 ---
**Author:** ![Justlooking](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/justlooking/32/147920_2.png) [@Justlooking](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/Justlooking)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 11:05pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/12 "2026-09-17T23:05:42Z")
Sounds like time to find an attorney ---
**Author:** ![YoloYoda](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/yoloyoda/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@YoloYoda](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/YoloYoda)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 11:19pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/13 "2026-09-17T23:19:44Z")
How did your insurance find out about this? Did you call them? You might have spoken to a customer rep who doesn’t full understand the nuance here. I am not a lawyer but fraud by someone else should not result you in you losing your coverage on your vehicle. You mentioned that you have another car so you most definitely will have liability coverage. ---
**Author:** ![jananth1](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/jananth1/32/10553_2.png) [@jananth1](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/jananth1)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/14 "2026-09-17T23:24:23Z")
Time to lawyer up and close this thread ---
**Author:** ![jeisensc](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/jeisensc/32/224821_2.png) [@jeisensc](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/jeisensc)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/15 "2026-09-17T23:37:54Z")
> [@lancelot](#): > > BUT how do I drive a car that can’t be insured since the insurance company can see it’s been sold to someone else? I would park it in a locked garage as your Internet lawyer @EC99 suggested ---
**Author:** ![IAC](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/iac/32/149215_2.png) [@IAC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/IAC)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/16 "2026-09-17T23:38:17Z")
This thread is really giving me the biggest WTF. I have to mirror the last @jananth1 sentiments. ---
**Author:** ![DailyDriven](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/dailydriven/32/150479_2.png) [@DailyDriven](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/DailyDriven)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/17 "2026-09-17T23:40:00Z")
Sounds like a VIN switch scam perhaps, not at all uncommon. You (or your attorney) might want to contact the appropriate auto theft task force in LA, FL and CT as they can also provide specialized guidance that might help GM and your insurer: > **[21-07 - Taskforce for Regional Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP) - PARS Public Viewer](https://pars.lasd.org/Viewer/Manuals/15183/Content/18714)** > **[Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence (BCII)](https://www.flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/specialized-areas/bureau-of-criminal-investigations-and-intelligence-bcii/)** > > The Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence (BCII) is led by a Bureau Commander that holds the rank of Major. The Bureau Commander serves as the Florida Highway Patrol’s Chief \[…\] > **[Office of Field Operation - Special Units](https://portal.ct.gov/DESPP/Division-of-State-Police/_old/Office-of-Field-Operation---Special-Units?language=en_US)** ---
**Author:** ![lancelot](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/lancelot/32/244022_2.png) [@lancelot](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/lancelot)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 11:42pm UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/18 "2026-09-17T23:42:29Z")
I appreciate all the advice and I did call the insurance company to understand what my coverage was as I didn’t want to have an accident to find out that covered he was debited because of this. I also understand the advice to seek legal council but paying attorneys fees for some BS thats really GMs problem since its a leased car feels like I’m getting dibble screwed. I posted in case anyone has had this experience or heard of the scam so I hope its not closed but get it if it needs to be. I’m hopeful that it gets resolved soon and I will report it to local PD in the morning so they have a record of it. ---
**Author:** ![ABZ101](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar/abz101/32/5_5575768a8748004e209b776fc1b2916d.png) [@ABZ101](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/ABZ101)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/19 "2026-09-18T00:12:06Z")
try calling a lemon law attorney, even though its not lemon related they can advise ---
**Author:** ![mani\_is\_kool](https://leasehackr.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.leasehackr.com/mani_is_kool/32/11116_2.png) [@mani\_is\_kool](https://forum.leasehackr.com/u/mani_is_kool)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317/20 "2026-09-18T00:20:32Z")
Yes it sucks that you may have to pay for an attorney but doesnt harm in getting a consultation. The drama you could get involved in God forbid, would cost you far more than what you can imagine. I agree with everyone who has advised to contact an attorney. Also @DailyDriven provided you some great links. [Next page](https://forum.leasehackr.com/t/my-leased-car-got-sold-illegally-while-i-m-still-under-the-lease-terms/782317.md?page=2)