There were more than 700 alleged victims in a case that went to court on Thursday.

According to the allegations, they each made payment to a notary intended to pay for vehicle services with PennDOT. Those payments never made it to the department and that could cause some problems, but PennDOT is aware and working to help.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office brought theft and receiving stolen property charges against Warren County notary Brenda Gibson.

In the affidavit of probable cause, investigators said there were 15 business victims and 714 individual victims. All of them were trying to file paperwork with PennDOT.

When constituents approached Rep. Kathy Rapp with concerns about their PennDOT paperwork, filed at Brenda Gibson Notary, she interceded on their behalf with the department. Then, in September 2021, she notified police.

The customers were looking to pay sales taxes, registration and title fees, and other vehicle services.

Gibson allegedly did not send the payments — a total of just over $420,000.

So, hundreds of people who had gone through all the proper steps with their vehicles have more to do.

“PennDOT is aware of this specific situation and continues to work with the affected customers regarding their vehicles to complete the processes they had initiated with the notary to handle,” according to PennDOT.

There are dollars built into the system to help protect the customers.

“As part of their contract with PennDOT to provide motor vehicle services to our customers, all agents are required to carry a bond and contribute to a recovery fund to protect customers’ interests,” according to the PennDOT release. ” We have worked with the affected customers to provide Form MV-376 – Motor Vehicle Transaction Recovery Fund Claim Form.”

Customers will need to show proof of payment.

“PennDOT is using the bond and the recovery fund to apply payment, process, and provide permanent registration products to the affected customers,” the PennDOT release said. “Issues as described below do create problems for the customers, however, we continue to work with these customers.”

The customers who gave money for title services do officially own their vehicles.

“The customers purchased the vehicle and were assigned ownership by signing on the back of the title,” according to PennDOT.

“If the customer has a pink slip — temporary registration — that is still valid, they can legally drive the vehicle,” according to the release. “If not, they need to contact PennDOT at (717) 412-5300.”

“Affected customers should gather the supporting documentation for the vehicle sale and complete Form MV-376 so that PennDOT can process the title and registration transaction for the affected customers,” PennDOT said. “PennDOT has already forwarded a letter to all identified customers of Brenda Gibson Notary with instructions on how to submit their claim in addition to Form MV-376.”