Consumer complaint received 2020-04-21
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NY
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Sub-issue: Investigation took more than 30 days

Complaint:
On XXXX of XXXX, I got my first car lease from XXXX XXXX in XXXX. the price was steep at XXXX XXXX They expressed to me that I needed to do the lease or I would be unable to get a lease at a cheaper rate. They further explained the price would only be this much for one year and a year to the date they would cut the price or put me in another car. They also gave me " free '' amenities to go with the lease. Under this duress, I agreed thinking of the future. A year later, I texted one of the salesman that helped me. He texted me back and told me " if that is what was said they can help and for me to come in ''. I ended up leasing a XXXX XXXX XXXX  for almost half the price through the same financial company XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I tried to return the XXXX to the dealership and they sent me on a journey to drop it off down the road. I ended up taking the car home that day because I was told they don't take the vehicles that XXXX picks them up. I called and told them where my car was parked and expressed my frustration after I also discovered the amenities in my lease were factored into the overall price of the lease and not at all free, " free oil changes and maintenance etc. ". Instead they scammed me and made me sign a lease under false pretense and false advertisement which is forbidden in the state of New York .... New York law prohibits false, deceptive and misleading advertising. These laws recognize that advertising plays an important role in helping consumers decide which products to purchase, and that false, deceptive and misleading advertising can undermine consumers ' purchasing decisions. 

For many consumers, purchasing a car is the second most important purchase in their lives. Advertising should provide accurate information for consumers to aid them in deciding what kind of car to purchase, and from whom to purchase. 

No one came for at least two weeks after my complaint. Then one day the car was gone. The company said it was put under a repossession and the reason being is that I defaulted on the lease but I never missed a payment nor was I late. I ironically received a call after the car was gone from corporate stating they were going to remove the extra amenities off the lease reducing payments and that the sales person that made me the deal denys the interaction and if I didn't get the car back it would hurt my credit. So I called the financial company back to retrieve the car so it would not go on my credit as a negative account ... They refused to release the car back to me and I called within the 25 day time frame despite their efforts. I looked up vehicle consumer laws and I know they broke a couple at minimum ... I know by law I'm allowed 25 days even though they were the ones at fault to reinstate any lease. My lease was current but yet they refused to give me the vehicle. Furthermore, I retrieved no documentation of an auction date or when and where the car would be sold, not affording me any attempts to regain complete ownership of my vehicle. I took matters into my own hands and started reporting the account and fighting it. In retaliation, they have been reporting me late every month since. In addition, to reporting fraudulent payments I've allegedly made up until XXXX of XXXX. I even received a paper of a voluntary repossession with a signature on it that does not belong to me, nor did I sign any such papers following after reporting this inaccurate. If I defaulted on the lease, I would not be able to get another lease from the same leasing company. Nor would they lower my payments and let me lease another car if I was lying. I expect my rights as a consumer to be protected and it must start with this account. 
Also, I have submitted disputes to all credit reporting bureaus and did not receive results within the 30 days time allotted. On one instance, I received no response at all and I sent out another set of letter at the start of XXXX. I sent out a letter stating they failed to respond in time and this account has to be removed from the credit report by law. 

To conclude, the following rights have been disregarded and in violation of NYS LAW including CRA : 1. CRA - failure to respond within 30 days/ no response at all 2. Repossessing a vehicle not in default 3. Not reinstating a lease within the 25 day time period 4. Refusing to release a vehicle to its owner 5. Falsifying Repossession papers 6. Deceptive Auto Advertising 7. No notification of selling of the vehicle 8. CRA - failure to remove the negative reporting information The gross misconduct is  summarized by the above but not limited too.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation