Consumer complaint received 2022-01-11
Company: Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc.
State: TX
Product: Vehicle loan or lease
Sub-product: Loan
Issue: Getting a loan or lease
Sub-issue: Fraudulent loan

Complaint:
In XXXX, XXXX XXXX in XXXX, Texas told me I was approved to co-sign for a friend a $ XXXX car. I am a XXXX XXXX XXXX veteran with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX so after driving 40 minutes to the dealership, I was in a state of distress and anxiety- simply from driving that far. After waiting a long time, the dealership asked me to initial something, showing the price of the car was $ XXXX. I was shocked at the price difference, which caused an even more XXXX  and XXXX. I was shaking after this, and clearly not in my right mind as the dealership denied ever telling me it was $ XXXX, which I know they did- I never would have agreed to that. I get into the finance managers office, and was given papers to sign. I noticed my name was listed first. I said, " I thought I was the co-signer ''. The finance advisor assured me it did not matter whose name was first. I believed him. I reiterate : I was not in the right state of mind to make any of these decisions, nor was I able to clearly ascertain what was really going on. Days after signing, I began receiving documents from Santander in the mail. I've never co-signed for anyone, but I know co-signers do not receive initial bills and account information. I called the bank and, through deductive reasoning, realized Santander only used my information for the car loan - the other person was never asked to submit one single piece of documentation. Why? Santander told me, It doesnt matter whose name is listed first or second. The car is in both of your names. What?? I'm confused. This is not my car! What does it all mean? First, it means the dealership hid/ignored objective facts, providing false information about who was buying the car, their address, and misrepresenting who would ultimately have possession of the vehicle. Second, it means Santander refused to verify any of the information they were being given, which resulted in an unqualified/high-risk person having possession of a car they should not have. Last, it means, if the other persons information was not even considered, and only my information was used, I should have been given the option to remain the ONLY name on the car/loan as this person and I are not married or anything, so common sense would tell you that if it were possible to avoid being on a loan together, I should have been given that option. Instead, I was lied to and told we had to co-sign together. This last fact is extremely significant because this person has since disappeared and I can not even report the car stolen because they listed us together. This could have been avoided if the dealership and Santander were honest and above-board regarding the details of the transaction. Santander keeps sending everything to my address- even documents with the other persons name on it. We do NOT live together. I told the finance officer this the day I signed ; he just kept saying it did not matter. When the friend I allegedly co-signed for realized it was basically MY loan and that the bank had none of his information, other than his name, he disappeared. I have no idea where he is. I even paid the first car note b/c I felt obligated, but I will not continue paying for a car so these thugs can profit off my innocence and goodwill. I have a $ XXXX car loan with XXXX XXXX ; I filed bankruptcy 3 years ago ; I should have never even qualified for a $ XXXX car loan - especially when Im signing with someone who is not required to submit any information. I was clearly taken advantage of. Please help me.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation