Fifth Third Bank ripoff Installment Loan Keeping my car hostage Internet
I fell into default in my car loan with fifth third bank (45 days) and they repossessed my car on 12/15/06. I contacted the bank, and made my payments current on 12/19/06. Since this point, it has been a nightmare. Originally, the car was taken to Hammond, IN, to be held at the repo lot. After I made the payments current, the car was sent to the Greater Chicago Auto Auction. After numerous phone calls to the bank, I find out the car is now at the Kansas City Auto Auction. Keep in mind that my payments are still up to date. Every time I have contacted their customer service number, I have gotten conflicting information. The bank kept telling me to contact the repo lot, which in turn, told me that the bank directed them to bring the car to the Greater Chicago Auto Auction.
I kept getting told to wait three to five business days to have the release for the car signed and returned by the Greater Chicago Auto Auction. Well, after waiting for almost a month to get my car back, on 1/17/07 (today) I am told that the car is at the Kansas City Auto Auction, and that I have to contact them. I am also told that my next payment is due 1/20/07. After all of this frustration, I told the bank that I am not making this payment to them, because I have gotten the runaround for the past month on the whereabouts of my car. This has been a total nightmare. I refuse to pay for a service which I am not receiving. I will never do business with this bank again, and I advise anyone that is considering doing so, not to. I feel like my car is being held hostage, even though I am current on the payments. Both the repo lot as well as the Greater Chicago Auto Auction have told me that this isn't the first time that they have seen Fifth Third Bank screw somebody around like this.
Dan
Manhattan, Illinois
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Dan
Manhattan,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Finally getting somewhere
#4Author of original report
Thu, January 18, 2007
I am finally getting somewhere with this whole situation. I spoke with Bill at the bank, who was very helpful, and returned a voicemail I left him promptly (a first during this entire situation, as no one has called me back as promised up until this point). My car is still actually at the Greater Chicago Auto Auction. Hopefully I will be picking it up tomorrow. Once I do so, you better believe that Bill's immediate manager will receive a letter from me, thanking him for his help. We'll see what happens.
Dan
Manhattan,Illinois,
U.S.A.
More conflicting information
#4Author of original report
Thu, January 18, 2007
I just called the Kansas City Auto Auction, and was told that my car is still at the Greater Chicago Auto Auction, and that I need to call Fifth Third Bank. How many times is the bank going to deceive and lie to me!
This is ridiculous.
Dan
Manhattan,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Information Update
#4Author of original report
Thu, January 18, 2007
Since being told that my car is at the Kansas City Auto Auction, I have dropped auto insurance on it. I have also restricted Fifth Third Bank from accessing my account with TCF to make any payment withdrawals. One more thing to note; the repo lot could not get my license plates off the car, so my plates are still on the car, along with some of my personal effects being inside the car.