Complaint Review: Credit Acceptance CAC

I live in Birmingham, Alabama and purchased a car from Anthony Underwood Automotive financed thru Credit Acceptance 7 years ago. I got laid off from my job at Bellsouth, could not obtain employment as quick I needed, so it led to me not being able to keep the car.

I called Cac's customer service and did not get any help or suggestions of what to do. The only thing was told to me was I could borrow the money and pay the car off....I was like...hello! I just said I did not have a job anymore, so how was I going to obtain a loan for payoff?

Anyway, I just told them that I would have to give the car back, and the next day w/o warning the company's Repo man knocked on my door and asked if I could clean the car out and give him the keys...he was the only nice person working for them.

Well I got a few letters and phone calls for about 6mons in 2000, and have not heard from them until Feb. 2007!
The letter stated that "I know this is income tax season" and we are willing to settle your debt with our company.

I was shocked, so I put the letter on my desk, to call and see what kind of arrangements are to be made.Well, needeless to say, a Sheriff comes to my job on today (2/8/07) and delivers me a court order from CAC's attorney for a judgement of $9852.75.

I called the number on the documents and was verbally abused by the staff of Zarzar & schwartz attny saying that I now owe $17,952.85!!!! From late fees, attny fees, collection fees, and interest on the account.

This is ridiculous, and now I am having to get a lawyer and I cant really afford one to help me fight this....

K
Birmingham, Alabama
U.S.A.