Consumer complaint received 2019-07-17
Company: Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc.
State: IL
Product: Vehicle loan or lease
Sub-product: Loan
Issue: Managing the loan or lease
Sub-issue: Billing problem

Complaint:
I entered into a loan contract for a new vehicle purchase with Santander Consumer USA based on false information the car dealership 's finance and sales teams told me ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ).  I was told that I had a XXXX XXXX FICO score and that Santander Consumer USA was the only lender who approved my loan. This information was purposefully falsified so that I would be forced to accept an extremely high interest rate from Santander. The finance manager refused to give me copies of my signed documents, including my bill of sale. He said he was required to send everything to the lender. I had to threaten to file a lawsuit to get a copy of my paperwork form the manager. It took months to get my documents from the dealership.The bill of sale showed I was charged {$390.00} for a wheel lock and {$35000.00} for the vehicle instead of the {$33000.00} that was advertised. They stole my {$2900.00} down payment by manipulating the numbers. I later learned other more reputable lenders had approved me, like XXXX XXXX, and these other lenders showed my credit ( FICO ) score as XXXX from Transunion on XX/XX/XXXX, the same day Santander ran my credit. Santander charged me an interest rate of over 14 %, but lower it to 13.85 % when I vehemently complained. I was told my first payment was due in 45 days, which is how my monthly payments were being applied to interest only on a simple interest loan. To date, not one cent has been applied to the principle of the loan. Santander doesn't only play on the public 's ignorance, the company intentionally misinforms consumers who rely on the company to deal honestly and ethically and provide factual information to loan holders. Santander is unscrupulous in its business dealings, especially car loans. My vehicle was repossessed and Santander failed to provide me with details and legal documentation of the sell of my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I gave back the vehicle at XXXX on the odometer. However, it was at nearly XXXX when it was sold. I was not given advance notice or an option to buy the vehicle. I believe the vehicle sold for much more than the {$22000.00} Santander claims. I want the paperwork. I want documents with the state seal from the state in which the vehicle was sold. I want Santander to be held accountability for its misdeeds, fraudulent financial activities regarding consumer loans, especially how they ignored my many requests for documentation PRIOR to the repossession. Santander representatives in the " Office of the President '' ( which is essentially a call center ) lied for months about sending the requested  documents via fax, email and direct mail. When I finally received the documents via e-mail, I could not open the secured link until I signed my signature, authorizing Santander to use my signature on other documents. I refused to do so. I wrote a lengthy letter and faxed it directly to Santander 's designated party to no avail. I really regret dealing with these crooks. I currently have the Santander loan on my credit report and Santander keeps re-aging the inaccurate item. I want it removed and I want a refund of my payments and {$16.00} fees to make a payment. I can't get approved for a vehicle now due to this single ordeal. I have been told by my financial institution and several dealerships that I could have any car I want if Santander wasn't on my report. I truly want them stopped. I want justice for myself and others. Please help me stop these thieves.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation