Yes, you could be charged with fraud--or even theft.If you believe that the bank is mistaken and you have a right to keep the car, the way to deal with that is by challenging them in court. However, if you think that they may have the right to the car and you are hiding or keeping it from them, that is a form a theft--you are taking property that belongs to the bank.You have to give the car back if you are not paying on the loan--period. It doesn't matter why you have not been doing so (hard times or not)--the bank is entitled to their money or the car.If you can get the bank to agree to settle the debt--to accept lower payments, a smaller amount, etc.--and let you keep the car, that would be legal...but the bank *must* agree. You can't force them to settle the debt and let you keep the car; it is up to them.