Consumer complaint received 2024-11-08 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Loan
Issue: Getting a loan or lease — High-pressure sales tactics
Company: TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORPORATION
State: OR

Complaint narrative:
We've received multiple letters appearing to be from Toyota, warning of the expiration of our factory warranty with a headline stating, IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED. Although the year of our vehicle was accurate, the model was listed incorrectly, and the letter displayed only the first XXXX digits of our VIN, which seemed intended to create a false sense of legitimacy. 

Upon calling the listed number, we spoke to a representative named " XXXX, '' who provided the following terms for coverage : Coverage period : 6 years starting from XX/XX/year>, or until the vehicle reaches XXXX miles Repair coverage : Mechanical and electrical repairs with a {$100.00} deductible per repair, policy accepted nationwide Additional benefits : XXXX, rental car coverage, and XXXX assistance The representative requested an immediate payment of {$490.00} via credit card as an " initial investment, '' followed by 12 monthly payments of {$310.00}. When I paused and stated I needed time to call back and consider the purchase, the representative immediately employed several high-pressure sales tactics, such as, Do you know the cost of repair? and This coverage could save you the cost of XXXX major breakdown. 

When I asked for details about the companies involved, the representative mentioned XXXX XXXX XXXX ( providing long term coverage ) and Mechanics Choice ( described as in charge of providing this coverage ). The representative used suggestive language implying official endorsement and identified themselves as a licensed sales representative, a title that does not appear legitimate. 

Concerns Regarding Company Ratings : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX : Holds an 'F ' rating from the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) due to XXXX complaints over XXXX years, with XXXX complaints closed in the past year. 

Mechanics Choice ( MCW ) : Holds aXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX and has been accredited since XXXX, with only XXXX complaints over the past XXXX years, XXXX closed in the past 12 months. 

I suspect that this interaction involved a third-party sales representative contracted by XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX This raises concerns about these companies operational responsibility toward consumer protection. 

When I asked if Toyota had shared our information, the representative claimed that the data was accessed through public records, but they refused to disclose the name of the marketing company, claiming ignorance.

The representative knew my mothers name, phone number, and the year of our vehicle ( though with the wrong model ). They also probed for information about our vehicle loan coverage, leading to accidental disclosures about other vehicles owned by our family and personal information about myself. 

The aggressive sales tactics, suggestive language, and lack of transparency surrounding the source of our information raise significant concerns about the legitimacy of this offer and left us alarmed about a potential breach of our privacy. 

Please investigate Data Sharing Practices at Toyota : XXXX Toyota allows associated parties to have loopholes that profit off of consumer data to be shared or accessed without clear consumer consent. 

Targeted Sales Tactics : Whether third-party representatives are disproportionately targeting vulnerable communities and using high-pressure sales tactics, fear-inducing language, and misleading information to solicit payments without transparent terms or consistent follow-through on contract agreements. 

Given that we live in a historically lower-income neighborhood, we are concerned that such targeting XXXX exploit individuals who XXXX be more susceptible to these aggressive sales practices.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation