Car Loans LLC Sovereign Lending Solutions LLC Title Loan America Deceptive, Fraudulent, Illegal practices Rarotonga, Cook Islands/Boca Raton, FL Internet/FL
I contacted Title Loan America the first part of March in regard to an Auto Title Loan. Since they advertised they provided loans in my town and state I asked where they were located? Dustin Choi, the person I spoke with stated that the business was located in Michigan but services were provided Nationwide. I asked about the Interest rate and was told it would be 18%. He explained the process to me and provided me with instructions to proceed. I submitted the required information.
Upon receipt he called me, requested me to go to a specific web site to sign the "ACH Agreement" electronically, which I did. I did not see the contract, nor was I aware of a contract included with the ACH. Once we ended our conversation I went back into the web site and was surprised when I was not able to enter the site. I called Dustin back and was told he would get a copy of the contract to me as soon as everything was completed. All documents were signed March 22, 2014. He told me my payments would be $360.00 per month for 12 months. I asked if these services were allowed in Washington State. He stated they were allowed nationwide.
After several phone calls to Dustin and an email sent to the address I previously sent documents to him at coming back as not deliverable to Yolanda, I was able to get a copy of the contract from a woman named Adrian. I was able to reach her at telephone #1-888-511-7924. She was with Title Loan America. I was devastated upon receipt of the contract to find it was a "Pawn Agreement" with 11 equal monthly payments and the 12th payment a balloon payment, which was more than the loan amount. The interest rate calculated out to be 18% per month not year as I was led to believe. The word Pawn was never mentioned.If I would have been aware that was the case I would have never entered into the agreement.
Upon trying to pay the loan off early I called to get the payoff. I was given the payoff amount, provided my account information to pay off the loan and was told the EFT would be processed at 4:00 that day on their end. I was given the address to return the GPS, which was returned that day. I continued paying other bills assuming this was taken care of. Wrong!!! I received a call about a week later stating that it was being taken care of that day. Since I had assumed that the payment had been withdrawn there was no longer enough funds to cover the payment. I do not use checks and do not check my account daily. I received several calls from them while I was unavailable and returned the call as soon as I could.
I was treated rudely, told my car was up for repossession and that they needed to send a GPS out to me because I was in default of the contract. I told them I would not place it back in my car and I sent it back as instructed. I told them they would not get my car and a person named Hayley stated, "We'll see about that." I advised them that I was aware the there is a Civil Lawsuit filed against them for their deceptive practices and sovereign immunity does not pertain to them since they are not located within the tribal jurusdiction. I also advised them that Auto Title Pawn Agreements are not legal in the State of Washington. She stated that I signed the contract. In fact, I did not sign the contract since I did not see it and the contract could have easily been signed by anyone with adobe.
After intensive research in regard to WA State law, I found that not one of their business names were registered and licensed in the State making it illegal to do business here. The law also states that any transaction in violation of the law is uncollectable and unenforceable. There is a Consumer Alert ob the Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Financial Services Regulatory Authority web site stating "Sovereign Lending Solutions, LLC, a tribally owned and operated company formed under the laws of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, ("SLS Articles of Organization") has ceased lending operations and assigned the assets of the company to Management Solution, LLC." Therefore, there is no tribal affiliation or sovereign immunity for this company.
I contacted Car Loans, LLC in regard to the Cook Islands address and the business name. I was told that they were Sovereign Lending Solutions that they just changed the name of the business. I informed her that my contract was with Sovereign Lending Solutions, LLC, which has ceased lending operations not Car Loans, LLC. I have nort received any documents or correspondence advising of a name or address change. There is no way I can be sure of the legitamacy of the business especially with an out of country address. Again, it was Hayley I spoke to with her asking why I kept calling asking the same questions over and over and finally hanging up on me. In fact, I requested a duplicate Title for my car and found that Sovereign Lending Solutions with a Boca Raton, FL address as lien holder.
I also found that the Civil Lawsuit was filed in the US Court Western District of Oklahoma on March 13, 2014, Case #14-CV-00242-HE by Federman and Sherman Law Firm, which is contracting with McDonough & Nowicki, PLLC. Information can be found at www.mcnowick.com. The Civil Lawsuit was filed prior to my involvement with Title Loan America, which incidently closed down shortly after my loan so-called loan was processed. Hayley denied knowing anything about Title Loan America or Dustin Choi. I have filed complaints with the CFIB and WA State Dept. of Financial Institutions. As far as repossessing my car, they are going to have a fight on their hands. Their actions were deceitful, fraudulent, untruthful and downright illegal. I refuse to send money to any business with an out of country address. I hope that these deceptive predators are caught and dealt with accordingly.
12 Updates & Rebuttals
Cavin
Seattle,Washington,
USA
Your attorney
#13Consumer Comment
Sat, July 02, 2016
You mentioned about your attorney class action suit against car loans llc. I'm also a victim residing in WA state and interested in participate in the lawsuit! Pls give me informations! Million thanks
Cavin
Seattle,Washington,
USA
Response
#13Consumer Comment
Fri, March 18, 2016
I'm from wa state too! Did you make a settlement with car loan llc? I have filed compliant with state atg, state dfi, and ftc. And I just received a voicemail from car loan llc that they received email from state atg regarding my compliant and would like me to call them to resolve the compliant. If you did settled with them, what's the settlement term and how did you nego to those terms? Thanks
Response
#13Author of original report
Sun, March 13, 2016
You don't say the state where you are located. You need to contact your attorney general's office to find out the laws in your state regarding Auto Title Pawns. They are illegal in the State of Washington and several other states. They are not affiliated with any tribe so they do not have sovereign status. Contact the Attorney General right away. Most states have a capon the interest that can be charged. This company has been scamming people nationwide. There are several class action suits against this company and they are being investigated on the federal level as well. Research the laws of your State. If you are in Washington the laws and the contact agencies are listed in my complaint. Due to my research and complaints to Ripoff Report, Dept.of Financial Institution (WA) and the Consumer protection agency I was able to beat them at their own game. Do not wait, contact your Attorney General ASAP.
Cavin
Seattle,Washington,
USA
How's the outcome?
#13Consumer Comment
Thu, March 10, 2016
Pls advice on what to do? I have a tittle loan with car loan llc since 2014. I have been making payments to today. When I request for statements and loan agreement doc. They refuse to sent it to me. What should I do? Continue making interest payments or stop? I afraid they will repo my car.
Karen
Northville,Michigan,
USA
The State of Michigan Attorney General is taking action
#13Consumer Comment
Sat, October 31, 2015
Autoloans LLC has a number of consumer complaints in Michigan. An article written by The Detroit News shed light on the illegal loans issued in Michigan. I've been instructed to not make the balloon payment. Any report company attempting to take my car will be charged with theft. I've already contacted my local police department and I was told to call them if the repo occurs. The State of Michigan has gotten involved. I need my title back. Pennsylvania and Oregon have recently sued Autoloans LLC, I'm expecting Michigan to be next. This company is shielding itself by having an address outside the USA, however the players are here in the USA, trying to remain anonymous
Frustrated
Vancouver,Washington,
USA
They stole my car!
#13General Comment
Sat, June 13, 2015
This exact same thing happened to me! They are now doing business as Autloans LLC. Sme scam new name. They illegally repossessed my vehicle and now wont give it back claiming they have already sold it!!!
See my report on her for more details, Thanks for the tip on the suit.I will contact the lawyer.
bgirl1972
Holt,Michigan,
Resolution
#13REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sun, September 28, 2014
Thank you so much for the information.
anonymous
Port Angeles,Washington,
Response to Consumer About Resolution
#13Author of original report
Fri, September 26, 2014
After filing complaints with the State of WA Dept. of Financial Institutions, Federal Trade Commission and on Ripoff Report, Car Loans, LLC approached me in regard to a settlement. Car Title Pawns are illegal in the State of WA and they were not a licensed business in the State of WA so their activity was illegal. They offered to consider my loan paid in full and return my title if I would advise the 3 businesses I submitted written complaints that the issue had been satisfactorily resolved and sign a General Release Form. They sent me the General Release, which I signed and returned. I received my title and the loan is considered paid. If you reside in the State of WA you need to review RCW 31.45.073(1), RCW 19.60.014 and Consumer Federation of America, click on the State of WA and you will find where it states that Car Title Loans/Pawns are prohibited. Also go on the Attorney General's web site and read the information about repossession.There is a class action lawsuit filed in regard to the illegal activity conducted by this company. I refused to send any money to them since they slipped up and gave me an out of country address in the Cook Islands. I hope this helps.
bgirl1972
Holt,Michigan,
Car Loan Llc Agreemet/resoluton
#13Consumer Comment
Fri, September 26, 2014
May I ask how you came into an understanding with this company? I also feel like something shady is happening. Please let me know? Thanks
anonymous
Port Angeles,Washington,
Resolution
#13Author of original report
Mon, July 21, 2014
Please be advised that the complaint has been amicably resolved. Car Loans, LLC and I have reached a satisfactory resolution.
anonymous
Port Angeles,Washington,
Response from the Tribe
#13Author of original report
Thu, July 10, 2014
The 12th Man is fighting back
Everett,Washington,
Anyone in Washington State dealing with these crooks please read
#13Consumer Comment
Sun, July 06, 2014
I recently got my car repoed and like everyone here my story is the same. The day after my car was repoed by Recovery Auction Services. Their main office is out of Wenatchee but they have a office in Snohomish Wa. as well. i filed chap 13, the repo guy and the crooks were given noticed of my banko filing. They are still refusing to return my car. The repo company my opinion is just as bad as the loan company. He was rude and told my car was his. Make sure if you file any complaintd in court to add the repo company that took your car.
My atty filed a motion to turnover. My atty advised me on July 3rd she is planning on filing a class action suit in Washington State. Please do what annomous and myself have done and file a complaint with the dept of finanical institutions. Their website is dfi.wa.gov. They are planning on filing an enfircement violation against the loan co. Also contact NW Law center at 206-805-0989. and ask to speak to Adria. The more people we can get to fight these crooks the better. This company will state they dont have to return our cars cause its a pawn. Please review RCW 19.60 this whole chapter talks about wa state guidelines regarding pawn shops. RCW 31.45.105 also discusses the licensing factor. Also review RCW 31.04 discusses small loans.
Also you can file a complaint on a federal level at consumerfinance.gov 855-411-2372. Take out the gps unit asap. I have yet to send mine back. I researched the gps and its based on cell towers so if you live in an area that has crappy cell service they wont have updated info. I took mine out a week before it was repoed and they had no clue. The only reason they got my car is cuz they went to my house first and i had to come home to grab my laptop. I was home for about 20 mins and the repo guy said they gave him my address so he came to my home first. The guy drives a mid size older white truck. He is in mid 40s short husky white guy with a grayish beard. I think he was wearing glasses but not sure. Hes a cocky a**. Lets show this company what the 12th man is really made of. Seriously, they need to be out of business.