Salvage titles

I had this happen to me in my early 20s. Bought a car and didn't realize the title was in someone's name about 15 states away and not the guy I bought it from. The lady at the DMV gave me quite the lesson on it. Told me that under normal circumstances I would have to contact the real title holder and have him sign it over to me. Said if he was an ***, he could tell me that he's the title owner and take back claim of the car, leaving me hung out to dry on the money I spent.

After I nearly shat my pants, she told me she was going to help me out because she could tell I was being honest and didn't want to screw me over. After a few button presses on her computer, I was out the door and had the title in the mail a week later.