August 22, 2001, Chicago, Illinois - A jury in Cook County, Illinois found a local auto dealership guilty of fraud and forgery charges in a recent trial. After an accident involving their vehicle, Dallas and Cynthia McCall filed a claim which was rejected by their insurance company due to the "salvage, rebuilt title" of the car. Under Illinois law, a car buyer must be informed of a salvage, rebuilt title and must sign off on this information. The McCalls had not been made aware of the title status when they purchased their car. They called Larry Smith, consumer rights attorney for Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® a Chicago law firm that handles numerous auto and consumer fraud cases each year. Smith contacted the dealership via letter, informing them of their failure to comply with the Illinois law. The dealership wrote back, enclosing a document allegedly signed by Dallas McCall, acknowledging the salvaged title of the car. When presented with the document, McCall exlaimed, "I have never seen this document and did not sign it!" On closer examination of the signature, it became apparent to both Smith and McCall that the signature was an exact duplicate of the signature on the Bill of Sale for the 1992 Nissan Maxima, except for a slight "shakiness". Smith called upon Certified Document Examiner Diane Marsh, to provide expert testimony. After thorough examination of the agreement and alleged signature, Marsh stated, "No one signs their name exactly the same way twice. After a complete examination, I have concluded that Dallas McCall did not sign his name to the document. The signature in question is a duplicate of the known signature which appears on the Bill of Sale, except the questioned signature contains tremor in the letter formations. The tremor is due to the slower nature in which a tracing is made." The documents were presented as evidence in court and the jury agreed theat the dealer who sold the 1992 Maxima had traced the signature from the Bill of Sale, committing forgery. According to Smith, "A consumer whose rights have clearly been violated should not be afraid to seek legal help when he or she has been taken advantage of. It is important auto dealers learn that the law won't tolerate this type of action." The law firm of Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® has handled hundreds of fraud claims including odometer fraud, prior damage, spot delivery, truth in lending violations, and unlawful and deceptive practices. In most cases, attorney's fees are paid by the dealer or defendant, if the claims are successful. Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® for more information, 888-MY LEMON or 312-578-9428, e-mail info@consumerlawcenter.net.