Complaint Review: Heritage Financial - Elkhart Indiana

April 7, 2012

I am currently a consumer of Heritage Financial and everything that was stated in this entry doesn't surprise me, because I am going through all the gouging, misleading and down right questionable business practices. I am paying for a Suv that is costing me $17,000 dollars but the Kelly Blue Book value is $2,000. To add to the terrible Customer Service and worthless warranty. I was slapped with a repossession/redeemed which basically ruined my Credit after being late for 4 days. They called my job all my family/Friends and even went as far as to tell my mother in law about my business with her. The only reason I purchase this vehicle in the first place was to help improve my credit. However thanks to HERITAGE FINANCIAL they have ruined my credit. I still get phone calls even after making payment arrangements where my payments are automatically deducted from my checking account. I find this a form of Harassment. I have contacted the Better Business Bureau, Attorney General, and I may even contact the Federal Trade Commission to make everyone aware of how they use some very questionable business practices. I will use every platform to warn anyone of How unprofessional and misleading is customers it's this company really is.  I can honestly say that HERITAGE FINANCIAL is the worst company I have ever done business before in my life. I have made attempts to resolve the problems have had with HERITAGE FINANCIAL ONLY TO BE TOLD By it's Customer Service Representative that they are a HIGH RISK COMPANY SO THAT WHY I AM TREATED SO POORLY.

Terri, Speaking to another party about someone elses contract MAY be a violation of privacy act laws, or a FDCPA violation, but the act itself DOES NOT void any contract or obligation to pay. It is a totally separate issue and is a civil matter. You may have misunderstood the situation with your Dad and the car dealer. The car dealer probably waived the remaining payments to avoid litigation and court costs. If the DEALER spoke to your Dad about the car payment, it was only a "buy here, pay here" deal anyway. It was not a real bank financing contract. The FDCPA does not apply to first party/original creditors, it only applies to third party debt collectors.

Contact a lawyer. It is illegal for any company to talk to anyone other than their client about any contract. As soon as they tell anyone anything other than they need to contact you and start to tell them about your financial situtation and specifics about your contract THEY VOIDED YOUR CONTRACT. My father-in-law went through a similar situation with a car loan. The dealer saw Dad in a store and talked really loud asking him when was he going to pay for his car. Other people in the store overheard the conversation. Dad contacted a lawyer and the car was paid in full because they can not discuss any financial matter in public or discuss it with anyone else other than the contract holder. Not to mention if your Husband is an active military man than there is a whole list of other illegal things they have done to you.

Actually, anyone who knowingly pays too much for a vehicle, made there own choice and has no complaint on that aspect. As far as the financing goes, were the terms not fully disclosed BEFORE you signed? If you did not like the terms, WHY did you sign? These are all choices. I would always suggest just buying a good used car from a private owner for like $1000-$1500 that you can find in your local newspaper. drive this until you change your situation and can go to a reputable dealer with reputable financing. As far as the phone calls go, change your phone# to an unlisted one. Tell your references to file harassment charges on them, after telling them not to call ever again for any reason.

As one of many ex-employees of this company, I can tell you straight up that this is a predatory company that rips off unsuspecting consumers. All vehicles are "marked up" $3600, and most vehicles actually cost the dealership between $2500 to $5000, but are sold for $6995 to $10,595. This company claims to be a Christian based company, yet they are anything but. They gouge people, mislead, and do not stand behind their products, which are vehicles that reputable dealers would not have on their lot. If you are late, then they will not only call you, but everyone you use as a reference, and your employer. Even if you have arrangements, they will still call. Do not ever purchase a vehicle from Quick Auto, or get a loan through Heritage Financial. You are being ripped off on the purchase of the vehicle, on a "warranty" that doesn't cover much, and is suspended if you are one day late on your payment, plus you are hit at 21% interest regardless of your credit. Beware of this company.

You did not say if your husband is deployed or has been activated in the National Guard or Army Reserve. Did he serve in Iraq or in the Stan's. Check you Search Engines and look under The Soldiers and Sailors Act and your rights pertaining to Credit. If this matter is correct. The Company broke alot of Federal Laws and you can sue them. Go to JAG and have them write threating letters.