Consumer complaint received 2025-08-12 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Auto debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: MECHANICS BANK
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Formal Complaint Against XXXX XXXX XXXX Unauthorized Withdrawals, Legal Violations, and Unsubstantiated Credit Reporting Complainant : XXXX XXXX Email : XXXX Account XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Company XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Company Address XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, CA XXXX ( Corrected ZIP ) To Whom It May Concern, I am filing a formal complaint against XXXX XXXX XXXX for multiple violations of federal and state consumer protection laws, including unauthorized withdrawals, failure to respond to certified disputes, refusal to provide legal documentation, and unlawful credit reporting. 

XXXX. Unauthorized Withdrawals Including After Certified Cease and Desist XXXX XXXX XXXX withdrew funds from my account on multiple occasions, including after receiving a certified cease and desist letter, which they have failed to acknowledge or honor. These withdrawals were not authorized by me, and XXXX has not provided any legal documentation substantiating their right to collect or withdraw funds. 

Total withdrawn : {$1100.00} Unauthorized and duplicate charges : {$770.00} XXXX. Failure to Respond to Certified Dispute and Cease & Desist On or before XX/XX/year>, I sent XXXX a certified dispute and cease and desist letter, which included : Proof of the original XX/XX/XXXX payment A formal request for documentation proving their legal authority to collect A demand to cease all billing and credit reporting activity until the dispute was resolved XXXX has failed to respond, and continued withdrawing funds and contacting third parties in violation of federal law. 

XXXX. Refusal to Provide Legal Documentation XXXX has not provided any of the following, despite repeated requests : A copy of the Forward Flow Agreement between Mechanics Bank and XXXX XXXX XXXX A complete Chain of Assignments verifying legal ownership and servicing rights A certified copy of the Power of Attorney or servicing agreement authorizing XXXX to act on behalf of Mechanics Bank Without these documents, XXXX has no legal standing to collect on this account or report it to credit bureaus. 

XXXX. Deceptive Mailing Instructions XXXX directed me to send dispute correspondence to ZIP code XXXX, which the U.S. Post Office confirmed is incorrect. The valid ZIP code for XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX is XXXX. I have photographic evidence and certified mail receipts confirming this discrepancy. This misinformation may have obstructed the processing of my dispute. 

XXXX. Improper Third-Party Contact Despite the active dispute and clear instructions to communicate solely through me, XXXX contacted my spouse regarding the account. This violates FDCPA provisions prohibiting third-party contact without consent. 

XXXX. Legal Violations and Financial Liability Westlakes actions violate multiple laws and expose them to significant penalties : Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) : Violations of 805 ( c ), 808, and 809 Statutory damages up to {$1000.00} per violation, plus actual damages and attorneys fees XXXX  XXXX Fair Debt Collection Practices Act : Civil penalties, actual damages, and injunctive relief Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : Violations of 1681s-2 for reporting disputed debt without verification Statutory damages up to {$1000.00} per violation, plus punitive damages XXXX. Demand for Restitution and Credit Correction I am formally demanding : Full reimbursement of all unauthorized withdrawals Immediate removal of any negative credit reporting related to this account Written confirmation that XXXX will cease all collection activity until legal authority is substantiated Compensation for statutory and actual damages under FDCPA, FCRA, and XXXX XXXX Regulatory enforcement for deceptive and abusive practices I have attached supporting documentation, including certified mail receipts, bank statements, and correspondence. I am prepared to escalate this matter to additional agencies and pursue legal remedies if necessary. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation