Consumer complaint received 2020-07-28
Company: 1st Franklin Financial Corporation
State: SC
Product: Payday loan, title loan, or personal loan
Sub-product: Installment loan
Issue: Problem when making payments

Complaint:
On Thursday, XX/XX/2020 Myself and my husband went to 1st Franklin Financial located in XXXX, SC so I could make a payment on my loan. When we arrived their I sent my husband in to pay on my account while I care for my children in the car. After him being in there about 5 minutes, I saw him and one of the ladies ( XXXX  ) that works in the office walking out of the office. XXXX approach the passenger side of the car where I was seated. I wind my window down and she begin immediately to start speaking on my account. XXXX first stated that the money I sent in with my husband ( XXXX ) was not enough to cover what was due on my account. I then told her that's how much my payments usually are. She begin to say that I had a XXXX return fee on my account and I asked her why and she said because when we try to take the money out of your account your bank said you didn't have enough money in your account to pay it, I told her I was not a wear of it and she insist that I knew about it because they sent a letter in the mail. At that time I didn't receive the letter and I told her I didn't receive it and and she try to make me out of a lier. I didn't receive the letter until Saturday, XX/XX/XXXX. She than stated, so now we have to charge a XXXX fee so you owe XXXX. Immediately while she was talking I became very I became very embarrass because the whole time she was speaking on my account their was a car park less the 2 feet beside me with people in it and the window down listening to all of my business and also people were standing outside of the XXXX building that located right beside XXXX XXXX. After she explained everything she walk back inside. I didn't get out of the car immediately due to the embarrassment she made me feel and the same people was still sitting in their car beside me. After a few minutes I went inside and explain to her that I did not appreciate her coming outside disusing my person business in front of people and with a slight attitude she said " Well I apologize ''. I told her it was very unprofessional and if she wanted to speak on my account she should have called me in the office and spoke to me privately. She also told me next time I send someone in to make a payment for me i need to call and have them place on my account, and again I told her well if that was so why did she discuss my business with my husband he could have been anyone, again she should have called me in the office to discuss my account. l I was laid off of my job due to covid 19 and struggling to make payment on my account on time and for her to come outside and speak on me not having money in my account was embarrassing. After walking out of the business the men and lady that were parked beside me stop me and told me what she did was so wrong and told me not to feel bad because everyone don't always have the money to pay their bill on time. I thank them for their encouraging words and they offer their phone numbers for because I told them that I was reporting this and if i needed them for proof I could call them.

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