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Credit Acceptance

Credit Acceptance review: awful company 10

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6:42 am EST
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I recently purchased a 2002 Dodge Neon from Phil Steinle Motor Cars in Sandusky, Ohio to help prepare my daughter for her future. Had I known I was being lied to right from the start I would have never signed any papers to purchase this car.

It started off by the sales person telling me that I had to put $1900 down on a $7000 vehicle. I know my credit wasn't perfect, but she showed me an approval the day before that did not include putting $1900 down, in fact it was $1500 down. She told me it was because of the different car that my daughter picked out on the day we decided to go for it. She then told me that it was the finance companies policy that I had no choice but to sign an automatic withdrawal form to have the payments taken directly out of my checking account. I believed her on both occassions as her and my daughter attend school together, her daughter has stayed overnight at my home.

The first couple of months were fine and I never had any problems whatsoever getting my payments taken from my account. I then, in July of 2008 had an identity theft on my personal checking account. This caused the August payment to be returned for NSF. I am not disputing this at all. I did however offer confirmaiton from my bank that there was indeed an identity theft and was refused to provide that documentation. I received a call from Credit Acceptance who agreed that I could give a different account and have the payment taken from a different account (my daughters', I figured it was her car and she was giving me the money for it anyway). Credit Acceptance connected me to True Pay who I gave the account information to. I explained to her that it was an ATM account and not a checking account. She said that was no problem as long as I have a routing number and account number. I also confirmed this with my bank who gave me the routing number. I confirmed this information on line as well as with the person on the phone. She also told me that it is not Credit Acceptances policy that the payments have to be made automatic withdrawal.

The payment was then scheduled to be taken out on September 8, 2008. I watched the account and there was no activity for that day or the following 3 days. I then received a call on the 12th from Credit Acceptance (Audrey) asking me why the payment arrangements that I had made were once again returned by the bank for NSF. I told her that the payment wasn't even attempted on the 8th. She informed me that the payment that the payment was attempted on the 8th and the 12th and then changed the story to 'it was returned for a non existing account'. She then said if I can fax her a copy of the bank statement that the payment was to be taken from and can prove that the funds were available on those days, she would clear it up for me. I heard nothing back from her.

On Saturday I received a call once again from Credit Acceptance wanting to know why the payment was not made. I explained the entire story to the person on the phone. She said 'I see the fax that was sent to Audrey reflecting the money was available, however you can't make a payment from an ATM account, it has to be a checking account'. Even though I cleared this with my bank and had verified it with Audrey and another person from True Pay that I gave the information to. She then proceeded to tell me that I had to Western Union the payment, pay even more to send it that way and that also had other charges occurred because of the payment being returned so many times. She said I would have get another checking account and have the payment taken from it instead of my daughters' ATM account.

I then took my daughter to the bank, opened a checking account with her so that I could make the August payment that was due. When I returned to my home to call Credit Acceptance to give them the correct information once again. I was then told that Credit Acceptance or True Pay could no longer accept checks from me to make the payments and that I had to go to Western Union or Money Gram to pay it. I at that point refused to do this.

I called Credit Acceptance back and demanded to speak to a supervisor, I was told there was none available. I called again later and spoke with Gabriel who told me to go to Western Union or Money Gram, or I could mail in a money order. I opted to do the money order because I was not going to pay another dime for a mistake that was not mine.

On Thursday, September 18, 2008. I received a call from Once Choice Recovery that stated her driver was at my car and needed the key to pick it up. I once again ended up on the phone with Credit Acceptance arguing my case. I asked if they could give me 1 hour to go make the payment and to not take that car at that time. They stated that it was up to the driver. I spoke with the driver who of course stated that it was up to Credit Acceptance.

When I called Credit Acceptance again, they miraculously lost all of the notes that pertained to some of the conversations we had over the phone. They even went as far as stating that I never called in to give any new account information. They said in order to redeem the car, I had to pay almost $800. The August payment which is $255.00, The September payment that was just due on the 16th, and a recovery charge. I decided at that time that there was no way Credit Acceptance was getting any more of my money. They have already received $1900, plus the payments I have made so far, plus now they want a recovery fee of $300 for taking the car less than 10 miles from my home?

This company should be put out of business. In doing some research of my own, it appears that there have already been several class action law suits filed and won. It also appears that it is time for another.

I am demanding at this time that my down payment of $1900 be returned to me as well as every payment I have made toward this car. I also am demanding that any adverse item placed on my credit report be taken off immediately.

I will definitely make every attempt to get my story heard by every consumer to let them know to not shop at Phil Steinle's (you can't tell me they don't know how you operate), or get financing from your company. You are the definition of predatory lending.

If there are any pending class action law suits against either of these companies, please let me know. I will gladly join.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

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10 comments
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Larrysmith07
, US
Mar 23, 2017 2:45 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am going to recommend all people dealing with credit acceptance to contact kimmel and silverman at 1 800 lemon law. They will take care of your cases against CREDIT ACCEPTANCE. They will solve all your worries. Trust me. I get no more calls from that company.

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Nicholas Burkhead
Winchester, US
Jul 18, 2015 12:29 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I got to experience identity theft just two months after buying through them. The company owner Don Foss was extremely rude, and threatened to kick in my door earlier today when I tried to discuss my intention to sue if they didn't start trying to resolve the discrepancies between the dealer and their customer service. The number he spoke from during the call was [protected] which seems to be a direct line (no prompts.)

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MiniMine
, US
Aug 08, 2014 12:24 pm EDT

I hope I can sue them for reporting a debt owed to them (CAC), on my credit report when the loan was discharged with a bankruptcy.
These ### are the only debt on my credit report other than one credit card I have paid on time in full every month.
For four years, since my bankruptcy that $3, 146 has been listed as a debt to them that was written off with my bankruptcy.
I am calling my attorney today. God, I hope I can get 3 times as much back.
(Oh, and they took my car from a car lot one day before I was going to pay (I called to tell them I had the payment and the money to get it off the lot), so they got there damned collateral back already.

Oh, I see the last post was two years ago. Damn.

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Frank
, US
Jun 24, 2009 5:03 pm EDT

Do not finance a bicycle with these people no matter how desparate you may be. My ex-husband financed this car in my name with this company about 3 years ago. The car was garbage to begin with when the A/C went out the first week, the transmission went out at month 2 AND 3. Well luckily someone hit me head on and totaled the piece of junk after the 3rd month. Unlucky for me, I sustained serious injuries but have since recovered. Thank goodness we purchased GAP insurance for this vehicle! I was late 1 week late 1 time and the second you become late they begin to call and harass you beginning at 8am in the morning and ending at 9pm that evening. They even called Saturday and Sunday threatening to reposess the vehicle. Why I'm so angry now is that it has been 3 years since this lemon has been paid off. My auto insurance paid immediately and GAP paid soon after. I was up to date on the payment when the car was totaled. Well Credit Acceptance didn't seem to get that. They have totally wrecked my credit which I have disputed month after month after month. Finally they have removed all the lates from the account from 2 of my reports. So I thought the battle was over...not so fast. They have reported me as being 90 days late last month, and the car has been paid off since NOV of 2006! NEVER NEVER NEVER finance with these people! So now I begin the battle again. It has dropped my credit score dramatically.

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vefib
North Olmsted, US
Nov 26, 2011 5:07 pm EST

I have had similar negative experiences with this company. This company has called me a week BEFORE the payments were due. This constitutes telephone harassment and is illegal.

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gcac
Chicago, US
Feb 27, 2011 3:20 pm EST

I am definately suing them. They are calling me asking me foir money..even though the payment isnt due

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intelligntpmp
Southgte, US
Jul 12, 2010 8:24 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i have one bad experience with credit acceptance and that was i had to move a payment back so i would have money to pay it, so i called them she seemed nice over the phone said everything was taken back but NEVER put the change in the system so about a week after the original due date i get up and go to leave for school, and come to realize i cant find out they turn the GPS system on in my 05 jeep and deactivate and they said they were come and pick it up the next day... i threw a fit over the phone i the lady in return started getting an attitude back at me. after like a half hour of going back and forth with the dumb [censor] she said she would fix it as a one time courtesy never once said sorry for any inconvenience or sorry for making me miss school... then she has the nerve to tell me i have to call the GPS company to tell them to turn my car back on [censor] if you ask me! so that was my experience with CAC for that was the last bad one *fingers crossed*

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quandre5
Ypsilanti, US
Oct 27, 2009 4:38 pm EDT

I agree Credit Acceptance has the worst customer service reps. I am on unemployment and have been since February. They told me that I would have to pay atleast $425 a month. That is almost a whole umemployment check. But I have been doing that for months. So I wanted to make that payment on the 20 of November because the first check I need for rent. They told be that I could not do that I needed to pay it on the 6th. I just paid out $450 this month. The man in collections told me that there were "other" ways to make money while I am trying to find a job. I thought that was so rude. I asked for his name so that I could call corporate. He said it didnt matter he was in Costa Rica. I could do nothing.

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kitty
Troy, US
Apr 14, 2009 11:09 am EDT

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Recently revised in 2006, this law outlines acceptable behavior for debt collectors as they seek to collect money owed. For instance, debt collectors may not do any of the following: * Call you before 8 AM or after 9 PM or at work, unless you agree * Swear at you a she did telling me to hush up and be quiet * Harass you by incessantly telephoning and she did * Continue contacting you if you have notified them in writing to stop and i am going to pay even when i told her i am paying its going to take a while but i am paying * Lie to you about what they plan to do if you don't pay, or about how much you owe and she did * Made threats and thats what i am pissed about i was treated unfairly i was called 5 time on a sunday i am paying on my car payment of 74.00 a week and i owe 184 a month in a half behind! and i am trying to pay i am on unemplmet at this time i have a lawyer at this time helping me with my class action lawsult on something else and at this time i have to contact him because i am being harris by you company on a sunday 5 time the same lady i do not think this is right or fair i know my rights If i feel you are being abused by a debt collector, i can sue the debt collector for actual damages plus court costs, attorney's fees, and up to $1, 000. You can also file a complaint with your state Attorney General's office and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Each state has its own laws, and your state Attorney General can help you determine your rights.

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kitty
Troy, US
Apr 14, 2009 11:07 am EDT

http://securities.stanford.edu/1004/CACC98/

go here this is the worst place i am fed up with them they call me i hang up i am sick to death oof thease people and i cannot understand when they call i guess any body can work there for 5.00 and hour