Confidential File

New Fast Buck Method

Just when I think I'm wise in all the ways we can fleeced, I run across a new one.

This time the suckers — some 80 of them in the El Monte-Rosemead area — got taken to the tune of roughly $3,000.

But these weren't the usual type of "suckers"  — the kind who fall for the something-for-nothing line.

They
were just plain people. And if you say what happened to them couldn't
have happened to you or to me, I for one won't believe you.

Their only error it judgment was in trusting a neighborhood businessman to do a chore for which he was fully qualified.

The
businessman operated a self-service gas station in their neighborhood.
And, like so many other gas station operators, he offered a special
service to his customers last January, when 1959 auto license renewal
applications were being taken by the state.

Leave your money and application with him and he'd pick up your new tabs for you.

A lot of people took advantage of his convenient offer, and a week later they received their '59 registrations.

And,
so far as they knew, everything was fine — until each of them received
the following letter from J.W. Meyer, departmental accounting officer,
State Department of Motor Vehicles, a few days ago.

"Dear Sir:

"On Jan. 30, 1959, Mr. Thomas Gould, also known as Thomas Goldberg, presented a check for $1,619 to our West Covina office for 89 renewal applications. The check was subsequently returned unpaid by the bank with the notation, 'uncollectible funds.'

"We
have made numerous attempts to collect from Mr. Gould but, to date, he
has not reimbursed us. Since remittance was made by a dishonored check,
it is the same as if no payment had been made. Therefore, penalties
have become due on the registrations.

"We are turning to you, the registered owner of the vehicle, for payment of the unpaid fees and penalties.

"Please
forward a remittance of (amount) to us in the form of a cashier's check
or money order. If payment is not received within 10 days, we have no
alternative under the California Vehicle Code but to request that
seizure and sale papers be issued and additional costs assessed.

Advised to See DA

"If
Mr. Gould reimburses us at a later date we will refund your payment. In
the meantime, we suggest that you see your district attorney to find
out if he can assist in recovering your funds.

"Thank you very much for your assistance in this troublesome matter."

That's a politely worded missive, I'll have to admit. Unfortunately for those involved, however, the DMV is apparently within its rights.

The
department authorizes no one — and  that includes auto clubs,
insurance men, banks, finance companies and gas stations — to serve as
its agent in collecting renewal fees. These outfits do it strictly as a
customer service and if you trust an unreliable one you're stuck.

These
are cases on record where independent service station operators headed
south with a suitcase or two full of their clients' money.

This, however, wasn't the situation with Goldberg, from what I've learned. he had presented the DMV with some good checks prior to the final week in January.

A
few days ago the authorities finally got around to picking him up. He
was booked by Temple City sheriffs and charged with two counts of grand
theft and one check count.

But that's not much consolation, I'm
afraid, to the individuals who are finding that they're going to have
to pay their 1959 auto registration twice, plus approximately 80% more
in penalties.

For one man my sympathies are particularly keen.
He got renewals for all three cars in his family. His fee and penalty
billing by theDMV this week was a tidy $174.

Even knowledge, in these days of inflation, comes high.