Consumer complaint received 2019-04-08
Company: TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORPORATION
State: CA
Product: Vehicle loan or lease
Sub-product: Lease
Issue: Managing the loan or lease
Sub-issue: Problem with fees charged

Complaint:
The servicing agent for Toyota Financial Services has paid property taxes on my vehicle when they are not due. They assert that they were billed for property taxes ( they were not ) and as a result, I owe them the amount of taxes they paid on my behalf. The vehicle lease originated in XXXX  and there are no property taxes for leases in XXXX. In the state of XXXX, they may be required - I'm not aware as I didn't register the vehicle in XXXX. The origination address on the leased vehicle was in XXXX   and the vehicle is for a XXXX XXXX - which is a car that runs on hydrogen gas. Currently, there are only hydrogen fueling stations in the state of XXXX and it doesn't make any sense that this vehicle will ever be registered outside of the state of XXXX. I never provided an updated garaging address but they assert that they were " pinged '' an address in XXXX and as a result paid the taxes. The vehicle has always been garaged in XXXX and has never been registered in any other state. 

I requested a verification of debt on XX/XX/19 for the property taxes owed since I never registered the vehicle in the state of XXXX. I have not received anything showing me documentation that these taxes are owed - which can only be in error since I never had the vehicle registered in the state of XXXX. I informed them both verbally over the phone and in writing ( see attachments ) They assert that the charges will remain on my account unless I provide them documentation. The burden of proof should be on the lender if they are trying to collect the debt, not the consumer. I provided the latest registration as well as the registration history obtained from the XXXX DMV showing original issue date of the plates and registration transactions on the plates. 

It is the NOT the consumer 's responsibility to take action on behalf of the lender to correct the lender 's error. I was told that the charges will be left on my account until I provide documentation the prior year registration - I no longer have. As named parties on the registration and title, " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, '' they should be able to obtain this information themselves, especially with the information I provided ( plate ). 

I've attached screenshots of just written communications and payment history. The latest verbal communication occurred today XX/XX/19, where I was told the charges would be left on my account until I provide documentation - which I took as a threat as they have every power for negative credit reporting and collection of fees and interest. I advised that I have not received anything proving I owe this. I was told that these charges will remain until I furnish additional documentation. I advised that this is not an abatement request since the taxes were never due in the first place. It should be the responsibility of XXXX or their appointed servicer to resolve the issue themselves rather than to have the customer resolve the error they created. To obtain this documentation is a burden as I can't currently afford to go to the DMV in XXXX as I work in the state of XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation