Thursday, April 12, 2012

GA ELT: Mandating Legislation

On 3/29/2012 the Georgia House and Senate passed legislation (and sent it to the Governor on 4/10) requiring participation in their ELT program. The legislation (changed language is in bold italics):

SECTION 2.
Code Section 40-3-26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to delivery of certificate, notice to junior security interest holders and lienholders, and disposition of certificate when first lien or security interest satisfied, is amended by revising paragraph (2) of subsection (a) as follows: "(2) The commissioner may enter into agreements with any such security interest holder or lienholder to provide a means of delivery by secure electronic measures of a notice of the recording of such security interest or lien. On or after January 1, 2013, the commissioner shall require that security interest holders and lienholders receive notice of recordings of security interests and liens electronically. Such requirement may be phased in based on criteria designated by the commissioner through duly adopted rules and regulations. Such security interest or lien shall remain on the official records of the department until such time as the security interest or lien is released by secure electronic measures or affidavit of lien or security interest release; after which release, or at the request of the lienholder or security interest holder, the certificate of title may be printed and mailed or delivered to the next lienholder or security interest holder or as otherwise provided by paragraph (1) of this subsection without payment of any fee provided by Code Section 40-3-38."

Image above is "New Cars" by JannaR.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Arizona Drivers Licenses: Fraud Alert

The Arizona Department of Transportation is concerned about Arizona residents falling victim to fake transactions for driver license services.

The Motor Vehicle Division of the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to alert customers that there are various Internet-based fraudulent schemes operating with the goal to illegally charge an individual's credit card account for bogus driver license services. The fraud occurs by scam artists using the Internet to falsely advertise the ability to provide driver license services that in Arizona are only available through http://servicearizona.com.

Please be diligent to contact your state DMV for Driver License or vehicle title services. Some states, including Arizona, do allow certain transactions through third party or tag agent providers. Arizona provides a list of authorized third parties at www.azmvdservices.com

Image above is Phoenix Arizona Fake Cactus Cell Towers.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

California Mandatory ELT: Really?

We received some feedback from a California credit union today regarding the mandatory California ELT program. The officer at the CU said they called the CA DMV and were told they would not be required to process ELTs when the deadline is implemented in January...they can continue to do paper.

Not wanting to provide misleading information, we double-checked with our DMV contact. Their response:

Oh wow!! This is completely not true. They will have to enroll in the ELT program in order to conduct business on California Titled Vehicles.

Please note that the enrollment process for California is staggered; new participants are brought on once a quarter. You must meet their application dates in order to be scheduled for the next live date.

One implication that worries us: if a lender does not apply to join the program before the mandatory participation period begins on January 1, 2013, the next opportunity to place a lien on a title in California will not occur until July 2013.

2012 Implementation schedule for joining California's ELT program:

Quarter Due date for applications Due date for contracts Implementation
1st December 13, 2011 December 27, 2011 March 30, 2012
2nd March 13, 2012 March 27, 2012 July 2, 2012
3rd June 12, 2012 June 26, 2012 October 1, 2012
4th September 11, 2012 September 25, 2012 December 31, 2012

Full instructions for signing up for the program are posted on our website at http://www.etitlelien.com/eltCA.aspx.

Image above is Wizardry -- Mount Diablo Summit, California (HDR) by Reno Moeller.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Florida ELT Program Questions

As we anticipate Florida's ELT program becoming mandatory, I thought it might be helpful to answer a few questions for lenders.

How will ELT change what we do today?
The primary change is that you will no longer receive a paper title. (There is a long list of reasons why this is good.) The forms you use today ("Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration" (FL 82040) and the "Application for Notice of Lien / Reassignment of Lien" (FL 82139)) and the fees and documentation required for the forms do not change.

How do I release an ELT lien?
All electronic liens must be released (satisfied) electronically. Florida provides this instruction to vehicle owners:

A title has an electronic lien, but the owner brings in a lien satisfaction from the lienholder. Can a paper title be printed for the $10 fast title fee at a Tax Collector's Office?
No. The ELT lienholder must satisfy the lien electronically.

How long will it take the DMV to print a title when a "release" is issued?
Florida normally does not print titles, preferring to leave them as electronic titles. Premier eTitleLien™ offers lenders the ability to request that a printed title be sent to the owner, they may leave it up to the owner to request a printed copy when needed. Once requested, titles "are generally mailed within two (2) days of receipt of the request."

What is required (technology-wise) for a lender to participate?
An ELT provider (such as DDI) will provide all necessary software for the lender. DDI's solution is Premier eTitleLien™, a web-based application that does not require any special installation.

Image above is Technology Quilt from the South Florida Fair 2011 by t.bosky.