Consumer complaint received 2022-10-05
Company: Westlake Services, LLC
State: MD
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Auto debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
I, XXXX XXXX, was contacted via email on XXXX concerning a debt in the amount of {$20000.00} ; for an account # XXXX. I have enclosed a copy of the initial communication. 

On XXXX @ XXXX XXXX, I called an agent of WESTLAKE FINANCIAL XXXX on a recorded call ) to discuss the debt amount, which I was uncertain of. The agent assured me that I was in good standings with one future payment submission and had no worries of ANY action taken against me, as long as the account was not 60 plus days behind. I still felt unsettled about the amount owed and questioned the validation of the debt, so I sent ( via certified mail ) a request for WESTLAKE FINANCIAL to provide information pertaining to the validation of this debt. 

Since sending the request, WESTLAKE FINANCIAL has completely changed their demeanor, and previous level of customer service that I had been accustomed to. My account balance since, seemed to have been altered to display an additional payment amount that put me 90 days in the rear. WESTLAKE FINANCIAL has also engaged in numerous other FDCPA violations. They used harassing tactics, by way of repeated emails, demanding I pay NOW ( with no proof of validation sent, or no corresponding email address included to ask them to stop harassing me ). During work hours emails continued to pop up DEMANDING payment for the debt in question. Even after the hours of XXXX and even on the weekends. I received multiple harassing communications, back to back phone calls even after requesting to not be communicated by phone or email, but via mail. 

Then in the middle of the night, hours before one of my biggest work meetings, they repossessed my car. This has led to a great deal of financial hardships and mental stress to myself & family ; that included but are not limited to, loss of a valued company client, significant additional financial burdens ( such as a cash advance loan was taken to deal with the inconvenience of no transportation ), missed work opportunities for family members, lack of needed access to personal properties ( such as ; daily prescribed medications left in the car overnight, wife 's work equipment, neighbors work tools ), etc. 

Westlake Financial disregarded my request to send validation of this debt. 15 U.S.C. 1692g - Validation of Debt. as well as 15 U.S.C. 1692c - Communication in connection with debt collection & 15 U.S.C. 1692d - Harassment or abuse. See time line of events below : XX/XX/22. Debt validation letter requested by I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via electronic mail USPS tracking number XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( see attachment 1 ) XX/XX/22. Letter received by Westlake Financial debt collector on. Confirmation to electronic mail USPS signed for by Westlake Financial representative, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( see attachment 2 ) XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via email address, XXXX by Westlake Financial, debt collector sent via email address, XXXX XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX XXXX consumer sent via email address, XXXX by Westlake Financial XXXX debt collector sent via email address, XXXX XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via email address, XXXX by Westlake Financial, debt collector sent via email address, XXXX XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via phone call, phone number XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX by Westlake Financial, debt collector sent via phone number XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( see attachment XXXX & XXXX ) XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via email address, XXXX by Westlake Financial, debt collector sent via email address, XXXX ( see attachment 6 ) XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via phone call XXXX phone number XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX by Westlake Financial, debt collector sent via phone XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( see attachment 12 ) XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via phone call , phone number XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX by XXXX XXXX, debt collector sent via phone number XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( see attachment XXXX & XXXX ) XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via email address XXXX XXXX by Westlake Financial, debt collector sent via email address XXXX XXXX ( see attachment 7 ) XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via email address, XXXX by Westlake Financial, debt collector sent via email address, XXXX ( see attachment XXXX ) XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via email address, XXXX by Westlake Financial, debt collector sent via email address, XXXX XXXX see attachment XXXX ) XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via email address, XXXX by XXXX XXXX XXXX debt collector sent via email address, XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via email address, XXXX by Westlake Financial, debt collector sent via email address, XXXX ( see attachment XXXX XXXX XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via phone call, phone number XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX by Westlake Financial XXXX debt collector sent via phone number XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( see attachment 12 & 13 ) XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via phone call, phone number XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX by Westlake Financial , debt collector sent via phone number XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( see attachment 12 & 13 ) XX/XX/22 Harassing communications sent to I, XXXX XXXX, consumer sent via phone call, phone number XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX by Westlake Financial XXXX debt collector sent via phone number XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( see attachment 12 & 13 ) XX/XX/22 Vehicle repossession after hours between XXXX XXXX, ( see attachment 14 )

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation