Consumer complaint received 2021-10-25
Company: Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc.
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Auto debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive notice of right to dispute

Complaint:
Buying a car is one of the most important purchases a person makes in their life and companies involved in any transaction need to be as transparent as possible, even when acting as an indirect auto lender. Santander Consumer USA Inc. An Illinois corporation with its principal place of business in XXXX XXXX XXXX Texas ( Santander ) In the course of trade or commerce, appear to have created a continual pattern of engaging in acts and abusive practices declared unlawful under the FDCPA. No one ever told me I had the ability to dispute a debt. I just recently became aware of my rights as a consumer ; therefore, my alleged consent to any contract if ever given was obtained through misrepresentation. This complaint shall serve as a dispute to any and all alleged debt. At this point as of XXXX XXXX, Santander has now unlawfully taken possession of my vehicle. A XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX purchased for personal, family, and household purposes from XXXX XXXX XXXX of XXXX Florida on XXXX XXXX. This conduct has disturbed the peace within my household as this theft occurred while I was on a family trip in XXXX Georgia with my four dependents in tow. All location information associated and concerning my vehicle is for the state of Florida might I add. In turn while on this trip I have been a victim of identity theft and my bank account completely secured until I am able to make it into a local branch, I have a Florida based bank. So currently still as of today XXXX XXXX, myself along with my four dependents are stranded in the state of Georgia with no access to funds and no means of transportation to get back to our dwelling. 

It is my understanding that I partake in an open-end consumer credit transaction. I the consumer obtained an extension of my credit from Santander under the false pretense that I was acquiring a vehicle that I would eventually own. Santander as an indirect auto lender did not at any point provide adequate notice and the law clearly states within five days after the initial communication ( XXXX of XXXX ) to send the consumer a written notice. I have only received phone calls from Santander never any written notice. I logged on to the Santander Consumer USA website to retrieve the account number associated with the alleged debt to find the wrong address on the profile. I was evicted from the currently associated address on XXXX XXXX and was most certain not to use it for this reason. Santanders aggressive conduct has harmed me and my entire family. 

I have not had any contact or communication from Santander Since XXXX XXXX when a voicemail was left on my cell phone. This is after multiple calls a day every single day for at least 2 months. I have no clue as to where my personal property that Santander has unlawfully taken possession of, such as but not limited to, my plate, that was on the vehicle ( credit card per 15 USC 1602 ( l ) ), along with personal and business items located inside the vehicle. Santander a covered person under 12 U.S.C. 5481 ( 6 ) has in fact caused me financial detriments and violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and Regulation V by furnishing consumer information to CRAs that it knew or reasonably should have known was inaccurate and without my direct consent. As though this wasn't enough, let 's add the theft of my vehicle causing the displacement of my ENTIRE FAMILY along with loss of income. Can you say immeasurable mental distress for myself and my children ; all with no ability for me to even use my legally mandated remedies ( I was never given adequate disclosure ) ; this is insane. They're sticking to the plan to criminally extort monies from consumers that are not owed, with no ability to challenge the alleged. I traded in my old vehicle along with additional cash for a down payment in this open-end consumer credit transaction to be left with nothing. What equal consideration has Santander brought to the table in exchange for all that I have lost? They're untouchable ; the most unfriendly, torturous people in business. Behavior like this is predatory, harassing, oppressive, abusive and harmful and will not be tolerated. 

The conduct described in the preceding paragraphs of this complaint constitutes deception, identity theft, unfair acts or practices, fraud, false pretense, false promises, misrepresentations, or concealment, suppression or omission of material facts with intent that others rely on such concealment, suppression or omission, in connection with the sale or advertisement of merchandise. While engaging in the acts and practices alleged in this complaint, Santander knew or should have known that its conduct was of the nature prohibited by FCRA as well as the FDCPA.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation