Consumer complaint received 2025-08-15 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Loan
Issue: Getting a loan or lease — Credit denial
Company: Carvana Group, LLC
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
1. INTRODUCTION This letter serves as formal demand for immediate refund of my deposit paid to Carvana, LLC, following the denial of my vehicle purchase application. The continued retention of these funds for up to fifteen ( 15 ) days after denial is without legal justification under California law and in violation of applicable federal statutes and regulations. 

XXXX. STATEMENT OF FACTS On XX/XX/25, I paid a deposit of {$5300.00} to Carvana, LLC for the purchase of a vehicle. On XX/XX/25, Carvana denied my application. I was informed by Carvana representatives that the deposit would take up to fifteen ( 15 ) days due to bank policy. This representation is materially false : federal banking law imposes no such holding requirement for cleared funds, and California law requires prompt refund where goods or services are not provided. 

3. LEGAL BASIS STATE OF CALIFORNIA a. Cal. Civ. Code 1723 Mandates prompt refund where a sale is not completed, absent conspicuous all sales final disclosure. No such disclosure was provided. 

b. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17200 The retention of funds without legal basis constitutes an unlawful and unfair business practice.

c. Cal. Veh. Code 11713.18 Prohibits dealers from making untrue or misleading statements in connection with the sale of a vehicle ; falsely attributing delay to bank policy is a violation.

4. LEGAL BASIS FEDERAL LAW a. 15 U.S.C. 45 ( a ) FTC Act : Unfair or deceptive acts in interstate commerce are prohibited. Misrepresentation of bank requirements and retention of unearned funds constitute deceptive practices.

b. 12 C.F.R. Part 229 Regulation CC : Requires banks to make most deposited funds available within one to five business days ; there is no federal requirement to hold cleared deposits for fifteen days.

c. 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. TILA ( if financing arranged ) : Requires accurate disclosure of credit terms ; misstatements regarding refund timing are material omissions.

d. 15 U.S.C. 1693 et seq. EFTA : Governs the timing and handling of electronic transfers ; no provision authorizes arbitrary holding of cleared funds.

e. 18 U.S.C. 1341 & 1343 Mail/Wire Fraud : Using interstate communications to misrepresent facts to obtain or retain money may constitute criminal fraud.

5. DEMAND FOR RELIEF Refund {$5300.00} in full no later than five ( 5 ) calendar days from receipt of this letter ; Provide written confirmation of the refund date and method ; Cease all misrepresentations regarding bank requirements for refund timing. 

Failure to comply will result in immediate escalation to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, California Attorney General, Federal Trade Commission, and potential initiation of a civil action seeking restitution, statutory damages, treble damages where authorized, attorneys fees, and all other available relief. 

XXXX. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS Nothing in this letter constitutes a waiver of any legal rights, remedies, or causes of action available to me under state or federal law, all of which are expressly reserved.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation