Okay, this could either be an actual scam, or it's a redneck conspiracy theory.
A guy from the next county over called my elderly parents, claiming he has the title to a 1968 Triumph sports car that my father once owned, and my dad never signed the title. He claims he needs it to be signed with a notary present so he can put the title in his own name.
I was in the house and answered the phone. I told him my father did used to have a Triumph, back in the 80s. THIRTY-ODD YEARS AGO. I told him I wasn't sure if it was the same car, and anyway why would it involve an owner from more than 30 years ago? He had the name of a subsequent buyer. He had possession of the car, and its VIN number. But he insisted the title needed to be signed, and since my folks are elderly and he doesn't want to inconvenience them at all, do I have power of attorney? Could I meet him to sign it?
Okay, here is a stranger calling an elderly couple, who wants a copy of my father's signature, wants to make arrangements to meet with him, and he wants to know who has power of attorney over his property. Conspiracy theorists unite!
Or, is this guy a local redneck who has himself been conned into buying the shell of what once was a sports car, who is literally so stupid, when I said "Call the DMV. I think you can get a new title from the DMV," he said, "Really?"
I told him I wanted to call the DMV to make sure my parents had to be involved at all, took his name and number, and said I'd call back. But he called again the next day, perhaps thinking I wouldn't be there to answer the phone... and he asked again to get my dad's signature on that title or, did I have power of attorney over my parents? I told him I don't know who he is, not telling him squat... and said don't call us, we'll call you.
I called the DMV myself and actually found a way to speak to a real human being. I was stunned. At the end of a labyrinth of automated recordings, I was finally able to press 0 and wait several minutes on hold for an actual customer service representative. According to the DMV, there is no record of any outstanding title or Triumph sports car 1968 or any other year owned by my father. He is legally out of the loop.
So, this is just a cautionary tale. Beware this scam - what should we call it? Grand theft autograph? That sounds good - beware the Grand Theft Autograph scam or any other some-old-document-turned-up-and-you're-involved scams.
There's an outside chance this guy might be for reals. But I'm really glad I was there to answer the phone. If my mother had talked to him, he'd have her credit card numbers by now.