Towing Issues: collection of towing for previously owned motorcycle, mail return receipt, honda motorcycle

Question
Hello:
I'm not sure if this is a good place go ask the question but I'm a bit lost and am trying to help my son resolve an issue.  
My son sold a Honda motorcycle in early 2000's and claims he mailed in the Release of Liability within 5 days but DMV doesn't have that record.  He's recently filed that report but seems it's to late for this issue.  Several years later, said motorcycle was found in another county broken down and towed.  The new owners did not register it.  Now my son has been dunned nearly $3,000 for that tow job and it's in collection.  It's negatively affecting his credit score and he's now attempting to buy his first home.  He has to pay it off to improve his credit.  Is there any other way to resolve this issue?
My thanks
Rose

Answer
Well if DMV did not receive or log in the release of liability when it was sold it might be a bit harder to handle this issue.
Now I have to say that a lot of questions I get are just like this and I hate to say it but most of the time people do not "PHYSICALLY GO TO DMV" and file the paperwork and get a receipt, or do not mail it "CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED"

Both of those methods "PROVE" that DMV received the paperwork and all that. But it does not prove that DMV did what it was supposed to do and change the information.

Now as to the collection agencies, well we all know how they work and act. They do not care about proof or what ever, they just "WANT THE MONEY"

I would keep on DMV and see what your rights are as far as the paperwork issue and the clearing of responsibility. Then talk to the tow company as they are the ones who did the tow and actually turned over the collection stuff.  If your son was shown as the owner of the motorcycle on DMV records, then when it was towed he should of been notified and letters sent to him.
Ask the tow company for proof that the lien proceess letters were sent correctly and all that. You have that right.

Then take all that information to the collection agency and ask them to overturn and cancel the charges and to remove the bad hit on the credit. OH YEAH, GET AND KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING you get.

Paperwork will save you in this issue.

Good luck and I hope this helps.