I got this from Al…

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The national wave of auto dealership closures has come crashing down on thousands of people who are on the hook for used-car loans that dealers were supposed to absolve.

When a car buyer still owes money on a vehicle he is trading in, the dealer promises to pay off the outstanding loan, then resells the vehicle. But as more dealers go out of business, some are sticking consumers with the bill. Lenders can then go after the previous owner who thought the debt was paid, or repossess the car from the new owner who assumed it came with clear title.

updated 3:29 p.m. ET, Sun., Feb. 1, 2009 Associated Press
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28965129/?GT1=43001