Back in 1997, I lived aboard a boat, but I was not the registered
owner. Several years later I pulled my credit report to find that the
San Mateo County assesor has put a lien on my credit report for two
years.

I've called several times, trying to explain that I wasn't the owner of
the boat, finally it came down to because I was "in possession" of the
boat, I am still liable.

This just doesn't sound right to me, can anyone help out? Unfortunatly,
I can't afford an attorney to help me fight this, and the lien is
impacting my credit, and making it impossible to get credit until I pay
the lien.

thanks

sb