Consumer complaint received 2025-08-28 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Loan
Issue: Repossession — Damage caused or loss of personal items in vehicle during the actual repossession
Company: Westlake Services, LLC
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
Incident Report : Unauthorized Vehicle Disposition, Deceptive Practices, and Credit Reporting Violations Report Date : Thursday, XX/XX/XXXX Parties Involved : * Complainant : Individual ( XXXX Veteran on fixed income ) * Financial Institution : Westlake Financial * Vehicle Information : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, VIN : XXXXXXXX XXXX Vehicle Location ( Initial ) : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, LA XXXXXXXX XXXX Vehicle Disposition : Shipped to XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX, Texas ) Summary of Events : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX ( VIN : XXXX ) was repossessed from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, LA. The debt was then successfully mediated and settled in XXXX XXXX for {$5000.00}, with a final payment made on XX/XX/XXXX. A receipt for this payment is possessed as proof of settlement. 
Despite the debt being fully satisfied, Westlake Financial unlawfully authorized the car 's transport out of state. The vehicle was in transit to Texas from XX/XX/XXXX, to XX/XX/XXXX, and was delivered to a XXXX auction lot in XXXX, Texas. The complainant possesses receipts as evidence of the costs incurred for this unauthorized transport. 
Westlake Financial also failed to provide the vehicle 's title for four months after the settlement, despite verbally assuring a 30-day turnaround. This significant and unexplained delay contributed to the subsequent issues.

As a XXXX veteran on a fixed income, the complainant had to incur significant personal financial hardship to travel from XXXX XXXX to XXXX to retrieve the vehicle on XX/XX/XXXX. Upon retrieval, it was discovered that the car was totaled due to the theft of parts. The vehicle should have been returned immediately after the debt was settled and should never have been sent to an auction lot. 
Deceptive Credit Reporting : In addition to these actions, Westlake Financial continues to engage in deceptive reporting practices on the complainant 's credit report. Despite the debt being settled, the company has reported inaccurate or misleading information, negatively affecting the complainant 's credit. This misrepresentation of a settled account as an ongoing or delinquent debt is a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 
Issues Identified : * Unlawful Conversion of Property : Westlake Financial illegally retained and disposed of the vehicle after the debt was settled for {$5000.00}, which is a clear violation of the owner 's property rights. 
* Breach of Duty of Care : The vehicle was damaged and had pieces stolen while in the care of Westlake Financial 's agents, rendering it a total loss. 
* Fail

ure to Release Lien/Title : The four-month delay in providing the vehicle title is a significant breach of legal obligation, causing further complications and costs. * Deceptive Credit Reporting : Westlake Financial 's reporting of the
settled account on the credit report is inaccurate and misleading, constituting a deceptive practice. 
* Direct Financial and Emotional Hardship : The complainant was forced to incur personal costs for unauthorized transport and travel to retrieve a vehicle that was already totaled, all because of Westlake Financial 's unlawful and deceptive actions. 
Conclusion : Westlake Financial 's actions were unlawful and caused substantial financial and personal harm. The complainant seeks compensation for the total loss of the vehicle, the costs incurred for transport and travel to retrieve it, and any associated damages, along with the immediate and accurate correction of the credit report to reflect the settled status of the account. The complainant possesses receipts for the {$5000.00} settlement and transport as evidence.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation