What rights do we have...car repossessions?

Question

Can they take your car out of your garage?
Can they take your car while your in the store grocery shopping or at church?
Can you tell BBB if they're harrassing you and your family members (and friends) who live at different addresses by calling them leaving messages and going to their houses and leaving threatening business cards with all of your personal info on it?

Ok retards...some of your answers are really stupid!!! It's only 2 car payments behind and I've paid on time everytime for the past 2 years. It's not like I don't plan on paying but it's taking longer than usual to get my money in right now. They want a day and time and I can't give it to them this second!

They're only doing this because my car is worth a lot. I know someone who hasn't paid their bill for 6 months...they're not getting any phone calls or threats because the car is basically worthless.

Answer 1

I would think they can't go into your garage as that would be trespassing. And unfortunately they can call family as long as they identify themselves right away I think. They're putting the squeeze on you and trying to humiliate you into getting in touch with them. They only way to make them stop calling other people is to not ignore them and get in touch with them. Even if you're just letting them know you can't pay now but tell them when you can pay. Or pay them some of the money you owe and set up payments for the rest. They won't stop until you take responsibilty. Sorry, but that's the way it works.

Answer 2

If your garage door is open, yes.

Yes, they can take your car while you're shopping or in church.

Yes, you can file a complaint with the BBB about the messages and harassment of family members.

Of course, if you'd made your car payments on time you wouldn't have this problem. Have you tried calling the bank and working something out? The banks only repossess as a last resort....give them a call and see what happens.

Answer 3

Well technically, its really not your car until its completely paid for and it seems that your having trouble with that part. If your garage is locked they cannot get it because its breaking and entering. That doesnt mean they wont, just means theyre not supposed to. Repo people get away with alot because people think that because they were behind in paying, the police wont help. Wrong! If you leave your car unattended anywhere (church, store, street, etc) a repo man will take it.

As long as the information they are using to collect doesnt include your social security number, this is all information that you submitted when getting the loan from the bank. As long as this info is used in good faith to attempt to collect a debt and not to slander you maliciously, its legal.

Answer 4

They cannot take the car out of your garage. They can take i from the grocery store and church or any other place it is parked. They should not be leaving calls with your info at anyone's. Legally, they can say they need to speak to you about a personal business matter, but may not legally give out any more info that that. I do believe you can go to jail for auto theft if you "hide" the car.

Answer 5

Yes, they can take your car from anywhere they want as long as they don't have to break into anything to get to it. Driveways, parking lots, streets -- any of those are open, so they can rightfully take the car.

Some financial institutions are more vigorous in getting the payments owed to them than others are. So it may not have to do with the cars worth as much as choosing to get a loan from a tight-wad company.

Next time they contact you, politely inform them that you do not wish for them to contact you or your family/friends any longer. You might also consider sending the request in writing with a signature confirmation. Once you've made the request they are no longer allowed to contact you. If they do continue to try to contact you, you can sue them in small claims court for each attempt.

However, you will still owe them the money and it won't stop them from trying to repossess your vehicle.

It sucks, I know.

Answer 6

They cannot break into your housing structure, but if the door is open, they can move it so that it may be taken. They can pretty much take the car at anytime. The best thing to do is call the finance company, make a deal or turn it in yourself. Pretty much if you default on a loan, you don't have a leg to stand on. Speak with a lawyer or a legal referral site to get some advice.

Answer 7

> Can they take your car out of your garage?
Yes, but they have to have a court order. They don't because it's too much hassle.

> Can they take your car while your in the store grocery
> shopping or at church?
Absolutely. And they don't use keys- too time consuming. They break a window and hot-wire.

The harassment is illegal, but the repo isn't.

Answer 8

You owe them money or the car so they have a right to do that ...... yes.

As for taking it out of the garage I don't know about that. But I do know they can take it if it is out in the open.

They can only hold it for 30 days though before selling it. (ga law anyway) You have 30 days to bring current or to pay off.

And repo companies are not bound by FDCPA (fair debt collection practices act) it is only collection agencies.

Answer 9

They cannot come into your garage. They can take it if it's in a public parking. Church and store parking lots are fare game.
Good luck with the BBB. They will assume you are a deadbeat who can't keep up with a car payment.

Answer 10

they can take your car while at church or the store but they cannot take it out of your garage. They cannot harass you on the phone before or after business hours but they are not allowed to make physical threats. As far as calling family members I am not sure but I am sure that would be legal as long as they are not making threats of physical harm.