Westlake Financial Services, ripoff, fraudulent billing, over charging, insurance overage scam provides 'sub-prime' financing for automobiles. Los Angeles California
Westlake Financial Services, Inc. provides 'sub-prime' financing for automobiles. People who would need a sub-prime lender are people like me - poor, with little or no credit.
I purchased a 1997 Ford Escort (4-door, sedan) from Midway Ford (which is owned by the same company--the Hankey Group of Companies--as Westlake Financial) in March of 2001. Included in my monthly payments was comprehensive/collision coverage with Westlake as the beneficiary. This coverage was required by the contract that I signed with them.
Suring the first six months, Westlake charged what they explained were late fees and interest charges which increased the amount I would ultimately have to pay by nearly $1,000.
After six months, my monthly payments were increased without prior notice or explanation from $354.04 to $402.48. In California a finance company is required to explain completely any additions to a pre-calculated contract. After repeated telephone calls and letters, which went unanswered, I decided to sue them for the difference between the amount of money I had contracted to pay $354.04 per month for 24 months and the amount of money they wanted me to pay $402.40 per month for 18 months.
After a year of dealing with their lawyers, Molino & Associates, the case is unresolved. (Tony Molino, the head of Molino & Associates is an executive officer (Co-Counsel) for the Hankey Group of Companies.
When I fell behind in my payments, because I am disabled and on a fixed income, an unlicensed recovery company AAMES Associates (Recovery) illegally entered my closed and locked, gated garage and took the car. I have reported the recovery compnay to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, which licenses auto recorvery companies and people.
Lecia
Los Angeles, California
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Lecia
Los Angeles,California,
U.S.A.
The following statement is taken directly from WFS's website
#2Author of original report
Tue, October 28, 2003
"Westlake Financial Services is one arm under the Hankey Automotive Group. With early focus made primarily in the automotive industry, the Hankey Group of Companies has broadened it scope to include insurance management and Internet technology services."
The Hankey Automotive Group includes the following companies:
Midway Ford, Midway Car Rental, Midway Group, Suzuki of Los Angeles, Toyota of North Hollywood, The Hankey Investment Company (HIC), Knight Management Services, LLC (for those of you who have accepted insurance coverage through WFS Knight Management is the underwriter for that insurance), and their newest acquisition Nowcom.
I think it is also interesting that the law firm, which is handling the suit I filed against WFS (without the assistance of an attorney), Molino & Associates is headed by Tony Molino, an executive officer, General Co-Counsel, of WFS.
His bio states: "Mr. Molino's practice encompasses many facets of the automotive industry: representing car dealerships, car rental companies, and car financing. Mr. Molino also serves as an arbitrator for the Los Angeles Superior Court and the Council of the Better Business Bureau." Perhaps this is why people have such a difficult time recieving justice from this company.