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The Loan Approval Center Joe Las, Joe Martin, Illinois Auto Brokers, The Loan Approval Center, Credit Acceptance Fraud, Scam, Held Hostage, Refused Money Back Stone Park, Illinois
I was called about a vehicle I inquired about online through Cars.com and this place, The Loan Approval Center in Stone Park, Il had. A sales rep called me to find out if I wanted to take a look at the truck. I explained to him that I didn't have a ride to the used car dealer until later that afternoon. He insisted that he send a shuttle driver to come pick me up. So I allowed it. The sales rep asked me some info to get a head start on the application to see if I was qualified for the vehicle. So I released some info to him. He stated I was accepted for the car loan, but never stated to what amount. After arriving to this used car lot, I noticed most of the vehicles were run down, damaged, worn tread on the tires and NO PRICES on any of the vehicles. The sales rep met me and he showed me where this truck i inquired about was. It was in worse shape than it looked on the internet. Nothing like it in fact. I looked at the other 3 trucks he had available as well and they were ALL in really bad shape. After looking inside the trucks and then checking the outside in more detail, I asked about prices on all the trucks to see which ones were worth what they were asking. The sales rep still didn't give me any price. He stated, "Oh don't worry so much about the price. You are already approved with us and with $500 cash down, you can drive in one of these TODAY!" Out of the 4 trucks there, I picked one out to test drive and see for myself if it was just as bad driving as it looked. It was a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 with 147,000 miles on it. It had the best interior and it didn't smell like a bathroom. During the test drive, 1 block away, the rep said he needed to put $5.00 of gas in the tank so we can take the truck for a drive. I agreed. Little did I know, I was paying for the gas and his drink he threw on the counter. He said he would give it back to me once we arrived at the shop. I asked the sales rep about the odometer not working. He said the instrument cluster was shorted out and the part is on order. I asked how he knew how many miles were on the truck then. He replied, "From the auction house paperwork. We don't change anything once we get the vehicle." After the drive, we arrived back to the shop. He didn't give me a penny back for the gas or the drink. Instead he gave me a credit application to fill out. After I finished, he said he needed my $500.00 CASH to secure the loan. 10 minutes later, he came back and said the lender is requesting $1,500.00 CASH and the truck is mine. So I did. Simply, right? WRONG! 15 minutes later Joe Martin approaches me and tells me he is asking for an additional $1,500.00 CASH down for a tota of $3,000.00 CASH. I told him NO and I want my $1,500.00 CASH back so I can leave. He laughed in my face and said I was NOT getting it back and I was going to now stay until I signed the contract. I asked to call the police. He refused. I started dialing on my cell phone, he took it away. I tried several times to leave the place, but was caught and brought back in. They stuck me at a desk all by myself until I decided to sign the contract for a truck that went from $6,999.00 to $13,263 as the STICKER PRICE. With financing, the price went to $22,600.00. I again demanded my money back and to call the police. They ALL laughed at me and that is when Joe Las, the big bad owner, approached me and said he would work "some magic" and get the price down for me. I gave in to his lie and agreed. He came back and said the money is now his and I am not getting a penny back. After 8 hours held against my will, no snacks, no water, and had to be supervised to use the bathroom... I gave in and signed the contracts just so I could leave and go to the Stone Park PD right away.
Once I was given the keys to this truck I didn't want, I asked for my phone and headed straight to the Stone Park PD. Filed a report with them. Went home to get a call from The Loan Approval Center letting me know they had locked in my location to my home and if I EVER call the police on them, they will not only come for the truck but me as well. They also told me they installed a GPS Tracker device in the truck. I looked under the dashboard to find a small black box hanging. So I touched it and it fell to the floor. I pulled the lower panel off and noticed a few wires cut. I spliced them back together and made sure the truck started and ran. Everything worked but it was hard starting like it was when I test drove it. After 2 days of driving it and starting it, the truck battery died and the alternator was sparking like a firecracker. So I disconnect the battery and took it in to get tested along with the alternator. I also had a certified dealer mechanic look at the wiring where the GPS was. He said all the wires are colored and sized correctly and all are hooked up correctly. So I took pictures of the area. After the results from the battery and alternator came back, it stated both were dead and shorted out. I called Joe Las about the problem and never got a call back. I kept calling and after a week of no return call, I told them that I am NOT paying another penny on this truck.
Finally as of July 20, 2011 Joe agreed that he would give me back my $1,500.00 CASH money as long as he gets the truck. I agreed and this was also agreed between me, Joe Martin, and Credit Acceptance. Later that day, 2 repo agents came for the truck. I asked where my money is and they had no clue. They called Joe Las and he said the check was waiting for me at the dealership but NOT for $1,500.00. More like $200.00. This was NOT agreed on. I called the local police and they asked the repo agents to leave until they have the money as promised. 20 minutes later, they returned and the local police were still by the truck. This time, the repo agents arrived with a flat bed tow truck. T&A Towing. Everyone was real nice and understanding. I didn't give any of them a hard time and even asked if they wanted anything to drink or use of the bathroom. They all refused and said it was kind of me. The repo agents called Joe Las and wanted to know what he wanted to do at this point. Joe Las, on speaker phone in front of the police, told me to go F**k myself and to suck on the money cause I won't be getting any of it back. He also stated to me while on speaker phone for the police to hear, that if I don't give him the truck now, he will come for me and teach me what a thorn in a side is really about. The police didn't think that was needed and told Joe that if he shows up or anyone to touch me or show up on my property, he will be charged with threatening and intent to cause bodily harm. Joe hung up. I allowed the tow truck driver to take the truck on the promise that Joe would stand behind his word to the police that I would meet him at the Stone Park PD to get my $1,500.00 back. The police put this in their report as well.
As of July 21, 2011 at the Stone Park PD, Joe Las and Joe Martin refused to show up. The PD went to the dealership and Joe stated his NOW attorney advised him NOT to refund me the money cause there is now damage to the vehicle wiring and damage to the truck. Little do they know, I have pictures before, during and after the repo with the local PD present to verify all records. There was no damage to the truck, other than what was already there. The wiring under the dash was intact and in operational condition. But the truck did not start cause the battery was removed and placed in the bed of the truck. I also removed something else to keep the truck from functioning until I get my money back. So now Joe Las and The Loan Approval Center will be suing me in Small Claims Court for what? For not getting my down payment back as promised? For being held against my will? For removing a part from the truck inorder to get my money back? Um, I am confused here.
By the way, the contract stated I put $3,000.00 CASH down on July 9, 2011. I only put $1,500.00 with a forced signed promissory note stating I would pay the dealer $500.00 CASH every Saturday until the full $3,000.00 down payment was made. If I fault on any of the 3 payments, they can take the truck. Um, there is a problem with all that. Can't submit fraud paperwork to a credit financial company with numbers that don't match. Plus NONE of the sticker price numbers match any of the paperwork. Plus, I DO NOT make $3,000.00 a month. I wish, but not happening. That is another fraud claim on their part. I don't even have a full time job. They claim I do, they claim I make $3,000.00 a month clear, they claim an awful lot when NONE of it is true.
It's a very simple task to ask me for the part that is missing that will start that truck once installed again. With a new battery and alternator, that truck will stay running. There isn't any problems with the wiring under the dashboard. Pictures say more than this place will ever know. If they were with the repo agents and handed over the money as promised, they wouldn't be in the problem they are in. All they have to do now is go to the Stone Park PD, give them that paperwork releasing me from ANY financial responsibilities of this truck and any taxes or fees because of this truck. Pretty much reverse time as if I was never there to begin with. Then I will give the okay to release that "magical" part to the PD. Then they can install that part and listen to that engine roar. Then they can fix the truck like it should have been in the first place. Like the odometer. It's illegal in the state of Illinois to sell a vehicle without a WORKING odometer, either personal or dealership. The Law is the Law.
Simple? Joe would rather lose more money than to be smart about this bad deal. All I am looking for is the $1,500.00 CASH money I put as a down payment and was promised to get it ALL back with the release of the truck. He still refuses. Now we will settle this in court with the Attorney General, District Attorney, Stone Park PD, Cook County Sheriff, DuPage Sheriff, and my local PD along with the State's Attorney.
I wouldn't refer ANYONE to this slop of a place to buy a vehicle or to finance a vehicle with. Even Credit Acceptance head person told Joe Las and Joe Martin to give the money back in full and get the part for the truck. Make it ALL go away in a safe way. Nobody gets hurt and everyone goes home to their families. Obviously they still won't take the offer. They can search my home, search my vehicles, search my underwear drawer and that part won't be here. Like I stated, that part is within a block of their shop and they just have to give me my money back.
Hey, if they state on their website they give cars to people who have suspended licenses, owe $50,000.00 in back child support, only income is unemployment, and live on the streets... What kind of business is this? Even the Stone Park PD has to show up at this place 2 times a day at 6 days a week to demand either money back or to protect the consumers that go there.
Threats from Joe of him coming to kill me, kill my family, burn down my home, call his "people" to beat me up, and the latest... Make me wish I never was alive... will only cause more problems on his end. I have the phone calls recorded, voicemail transferred, and original contracts in a safe place. Any harm to me or my family or my home will all be caused by one person and his "affiliates". Come on Joe, make the deal happen and end all this tough guy act. I don't want to know you as much as you don't want to know me. Just end all this and give me the full amount of money back. Court costs are so expensive and so are attorney fees. Yes, you might have lots of money and Aldermen and State Reps to sweep this under the rug. Mine is a simple request, not a demand. Let's end this peacefully. Shall we?
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Fraud Awareness
Illinois,USA
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#2Author of original report
Fri, July 22, 2011
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