Consumer complaint received 2025-02-14 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Loan
Issue: Problems at the end of the loan or lease — Problem with paying off the loan
Company: SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC.
State: OK

Complaint narrative:
I am formally disputing the improper assessment of late fees and the misallocation of payments on my vehicle loan with Santander Consumer USA. Pursuant to the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ), the Fair Credit Billing Act ( XXXX ), and applicable consumer protection laws in Oklahoma and Texas, I am requesting the immediate removal of {$640.00} in unjustified late fees from my account. Additionally, I demand that the {$390.00} already collected toward these fees be reversed and properly applied to the principal and interest of my loan in accordance with the agreed-upon loan terms. 

After conducting an internal audit of my loan account based on the allocation data provided by Santander Consumer USA, I have identified significant discrepancies in the calculation and application of interest and principal payments. Specifically, despite assertions that late fees are not subject to interest accrual and are deferred until the end of the loan term, I have identified multiple instances where payments have been misallocated toward late fees, while interest was simultaneously charged in a manner inconsistent with standard simple daily interest calculations. This practice suggests improper accounting methods and potential violations of lending laws governing loan servicing and payment allocation. 

I fully intend to fulfill my financial obligation to Santander Consumer USA, including repayment of the full contractual loan balance and any lawfully accrued interest. However, I will not accept the imposition of unlawful, excessive, or misapplied fees that distort the accurate accounting of my loan balance. As my loan reached maturity in XX/XX/year>, Santander XXXX USAs continued refusal to allow me to pay off the remaining principal balance without first satisfying these disputed fees constitutes a direct violation of fair lending practices and consumer protection statutes. 

Furthermore, I demand the immediate removal of any negative credit reporting associated with these contested charges. Santander XXXX XXXX actionswithholding an accurate loan payoff option while continuing to collect payments under coercive conditionsconstitute bad faith, unfair business practices, and potentially predatory lending tactics. Engaging in deceptive or manipulative loan servicing practices that impose undue financial burdens on borrowers XXXX be subject to regulatory enforcement and legal consequences under both state and federal law. 

Accordingly, I request immediate corrective action, including : The removal of the {$640.00} in improper late fees from my account. 
The reallocation of {$390.00} from late fees to the principal and interest of my loan. 
The ability to pay off my loan in full without the obligation to cover unauthorized fees. 
The removal of all negative credit reporting related to this matter after XX/XX/year>. 
Failure to resolve this matter promptly and satisfactorily XXXX result in my escalation of this dispute through formal complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), the Office of the Attorney General in both XXXX and Texas, and other applicable regulatory agencies. I will also consider pursuing all available legal remedies to ensure compliance with lending laws and consumer protection statutes

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation