Repo laws.................?

Question

I need to know if a repo agent has the authority to threaten me with the police and at a federal level by claiming the vehicle is stolen ( when it is not in fact ) to get me to return the car. I have researched extensively online about it and there are alot of laws but one says you may not threaten a debtor with police or act as a police agent when you are not. I know that I read this but I was thinking of suing the company who employs this repo agent because he caused me to lose my job today and the people who I took the car to return it to told me he could not have me arrested and could not claim the vehicle was stolen.

I just wanted to add to this situation that when I went to return the vehicle with the agreement with the repo agent (a voluntary return) that I ended up at the dealership (which sell the same car type) for 4 hours and lost my job and in the end the folks at nissan told me that the agent cannot report it as stolen, that they have no responsibility for the car on their lot, and that I won't get arrested for not paying on the car. The most he said could happen is that the car get's repossessed when I am not around but I can take the car back with me. So basically I still have the car in my possession and that is that. I just wanted to know more information from people on here who have experience with laws about it or know from research from things I don't know yet. I am a college man studying for criminal law and legal studies, so this is great for me. Thanks yall

So far I am getting good answers and some of the answers veer off course though. I have financed the car and paid money on it and put money into it. Would I be best at listening to the dealership since they deal with having to get their cars back? Anyhow, the car is not leased and I live in an apartment complex with no garage doors.

Answer 1

I DO REPOS - HERE IS THE TRUTH>>> A default on a finance contract is civil NOT criminal and you cannot be arrested for civil matters. 2nd - the dealership is not the finance company so they have nothing to do with the default - unless they are in-house financing you. 3rd - Contact your finance company - who you make the payments to *or who you are supposed to pay* and schedule an appointment and location to leave the car with them. 4th - As far as your job goes, if you were busy dealing with a repo guy (even if he was out of line) the only reason to be fired is for not doing your job. File for unemployment. Lastly, there are laws to protect consumers from this kind of behavior. Check with your local police department (since I dont know what state you are in) and ask who you could file that complaint with. If he threatened you with anything besides police involvement- it is criminal.

Answer 2

While a debt collector cannot threaten police action, a repo agent is not a debt collector. Some of them will blow a lot of smoke but the pros will just grab the car and go.

If any repo agent or debt collector causes a disturbance of the peace, you can file charges against them. That won't get the car returned to you, however. Only paying off the debt will do that.

Answer 3

most states have laws to prevent owners and repo agents from fighting .the way they help do this is repo men have a right enter your property to repo your car without notice to you if they get it in the street on public property you have to let them take it .if you some how got it away from them on public property you can be charged with auto theft.but if you caught them on your yard then told them they cant take the car they have to leave you and the car.most states repos have to be peacefull some threats can be a crime.you do not havr to listen to them cops dont like getting lied to.bad idea.to do that.iwould tape threats repo man made. cars that are rented or leased have to be returned when contract expires .if not you can be arrested.

Answer 4

if he files a false police report he can be arrested