Consumer complaint received 2022-03-24
Company: UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION
State: MO
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
In XX/XX/XXXX I was rear-ended and my vehicle was damaged beyond repair. The responsible party was insured by USAA. USAA forced me drive a totaled vehicle around for over a month before finally agreeing to a rental and deeming my XXXX XXXX Colorado a total loss. My loan was satisfied and I was issued a check only after I surrendered the title. USAA was provided a lien release by XXXX XXXX. The harassment began with an email stating that I needed to surrender the title or face penalties. They were never given permission to contact me on my work email to collect a debt. I never owed them money. The second harassing notice dated XX/XX/XXXX states that if they don't receive a notarized lien release, I will be responsible for accrued interest and storage fees to XXXX XXXX XXXX and USAA. I contacted XXXX XXXX, they confirmed the loan was satisfied and that USAA was issued the lien release in XXXX and that they will receive another copy within XXXX business days. I provided XXXX with the contact information on the letter. The call reference number is XXXX. I then contacted XXXX XXXX at XXXX ( XXXX Title Procurement ) to advise that they should have a second copy of the release within 7/10 business days and offered the reference number and contact information ( this information was declined ). I inquired about the accrued interest and storage fees threatened in the letter and she stated there are none but that if they don't have the lien in 7-10 days that I will get another letter. The letter will be a final notice. I asked for a balance for accrued interest and storage fees as the letter does not list a balance due. It also does not state it is an attempt to collect a debt but the threat of monetary damages if I don't produce a lien release. I am not the lienholder therefore making it impossible for me to issue said release. The offer of no fees in exchange for the letter is a blatant Quid Pro Quo situation. I again asked why I am responsible for the accrued interest and storage fees as I released the vehicle and original title in XX/XX/XXXX. She stated that there were no storage fees as the loan was satisfied and the vehicle and the title were surrendered. I then inquired again about the threat of accrued interest and storage fees threatened in the letter. I feel they are being deceitful in their threat because the representative concurred there is no interest of storage fees incurred and the note was paid in full and the title surrendered. So how can USAA and their affiliate, XXXX XXXX XXXX imply and threaten non-existent fees in order to attempt to intimidate me for something I am not responsible for, can not under any circumstance produce, and admittedly by their own representative do not exist. I inquired again if they intended to pursue me for storage fees, how much and how did they arrive at the amount? She again stated that there are no storage fees or interest accrued. I again stated the written notice, sent certified mail # XXXX implies accruing interest and impending storage cost. She confirmed no balance, I questioned the legality of the letter and she concurred it is misleading to intimidate and threaten when in fact, there is no balance due. Not to mention the letter is also addressed to my daughter who was not a party to the loan, the settlement or title. She was simply listed as XXXX on the title.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation