Consumer complaint received 2026-05-14 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Loan
Issue: Getting a loan or lease — Loan opened without my consent or knowledge
Company: Upstart Holdings, Inc.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/XXXX XXXX used car sale associate pushy and hardcore sales tactics only advised to go through the motions would not have to purchase to get the {$4000.00} cash prize from the scratch-off tent sale where the manager at XXXX XXXX was XXXX for fraud in XXXX for the same. He would work with Upstart a lender in California who does not verify any customer information the dealer and the lender were able to forge an agreement, POS terms were provided however, the loan application was only a pre-approval and only a conditional offer. The dealership never provided the terms from the bank only the POS document for XXXX insurance. The sales associate advised she did not have the details from the Finance company and I could test drive the vehicle to get a mechanic inspection before final decision. To take the car off the lot they requested {$1000.00} downpayment fully refundable and kept my XXXX, XXXX XXXX during test drive timeframe within 24 hours. The transaction was rushed as I came in right at closing as I was very transparent with XXXX that I would not be making a purchase and XXXX alluded to the fact no purchase was required for the cash prize but the test drive and keep my vehicle over night was the requirement for the cash prize and free car drawing the following day. However, I spoke to XXXX, and she could not answer any questions regarding the financing therefore, on XX/XX/XXXX, I informed XXXX, I will not be purchasing the vehicle drop my vehicle off and pick up their vehicle. They provided a sealed envelope with paperwork I did not see during the visit the paperwork did not contain a purchase agreement or contract with terms, loan, etc., Only a POS showing the purchase price of the vehicle and XXXX insurance. I used the POS paperwork to find out who the potential finance company was which was Upstart. The details on the paperwork was very vague. XXXX, kept ignoring my request to pick up the vehicle less than 24 hours. I have phone logs, text messages, and emails of all the communications with XXXX and all other parties involved. Upstart the lender was contacted I advised if an application was processed in my name and social it was unauthorized to cancel the application. On XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX and several other dates of making contact with the lender I was informed that a contract was not processed I had nothing to worry about however, I advised the representative left their vehicle and has not returned to retrieve it when I drove it back to the location of purchase it was fly by night and they were no longer at the location on XXXX when I attempted to return the vehicle. Upstart agreed it was very fishy and that they had not had any application processed on file for me. Within 10 business days I get mail from Upstart regarding a loan was processed. I immediately called to dispute a loan application. Upstart supervisor advised the loan application was incomplete I agreed because I did not pursue or provided any more information for the loan to be processed such as bank statements, proof of income etc., not to mention I currently had XXXX XXXX XXXX as my current lienholder. The lender obviously using deceptive practices processed a new loan even after they knew the application should not have been process. The supervisor stated the check had not been cashed by the dealership and to contact the dealership which I did and XXXX XXXX on XXXX was contacted and she advised they would contact the manager who got arrested during such time but XXXX advised she would have one of the associates pick up the vehicle and not to worry about a contract. In the meantime, conversations with Upstart are recorded and I have recorded representatives advised there were no contracts and the check from the dealership had not been cashed I advised no application should be processed in my name as I never proceeded with completing the process with the dealership or Upstart to provide proof of income. Additionally, I was advised due to the negative equity on my vehicle that the loan couldn't be processed to cover the current lienholder which they used as a sales tactic to convince me it was only a test drive and no obligation. Upstart was advised it was a scam and fraudulent and proceeded anyway with the incomplete application.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation