Consumer complaint received 2025-07-12 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Loan
Issue: Repossession — Deficiency balance after repossession
Company: Tpls, Inc dba Auto Master
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Mediator, I need your help to resolve a situation with AutoMaster. They acted unfairly and, I believe, illegally in the repossession of my vehicle and their current demands. I want to outline the ways they handled this situation incorrectly, and explain why their current claim for over {$9000.00} is entirely unfounded. 

From the outset, AutoMaster engaged in inconsistent and ultimately misleading communication. I was in contact with their representative, XXXX XXXX ( R ) & Ms.XXXX, and they gave me the impression, both verbally, that partial payments would be acceptable while I awaited XXXX funds due to hurricane damage. XXXX XXXX indicated that making smaller payments to get caught up was an acceptable approach until I received funds. I attempted to make one last partial payment, which was refused by them. So from there I began to represent myself. They knew I was experiencing a temporary financial hardship and awaiting a promised XXXX disbursement. Instead of working with me in good faith, as Florida law suggests they should, they seemed to be setting me up for failure. Ive consistently communicated with them, but they would not make contact with me through legal measures. 

I then sent AutoMaster a formal notice of legal representation through my business. I explicitly requested legal contact information for AutoMasters legal department. They intentionally ignored this request. Despite knowing I was now represented, and despite not providing the legal contact information I requested, their representative, XXXX XXXX, continued to contact me directly, outside of the established legal channel. This raises serious concerns about violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) relating to harassment, misrepresentation, or unfair debt collection practices. This is a textbook example of failing to communicate with people who are being represented. 

While I was in communication with AutoMaster and awaiting funds, they repossessed my vehicle. They did so despite my good-faith efforts to communicate, make partial payments, and the fact that I had a verifiable source of funds, XXXX, imminently forthcoming. Given the verbal promises made to me about accepting partial payments, the repossession felt like a complete betrayal of the agreement, and I wanted to keep up the agreed insurance. This repossession has caused significant hardship because the vehicle is essential for collecting data for my doctoral dissertation. 

The final, and perhaps most egregious issue, is the amount AutoMaster is now demanding. They are claiming I owe over {$9000.00} to reclaim the vehicle. However, according to their own documentation, the current amount due, including repossession fees and late fees, is much less than the money they are seeking, while I was under the {$2000.00} mark. My understanding is that I only owed around {$1600.00} on the loan at the time of default. Florida Statute 516.31 ( 3 ) is clear that when the unpaid balance at the time of default is less than {$2000.00}, the creditor can not seek a deficiency judgment for the remaining balance after the sale of the repossessed collateral. Therefore, their demand for over {$9000.00} is unlawful and completely unjustified.

In summary, AutoMaster has acted in bad faith throughout this entire process. They misled me, ignored my legal representation, potentially violated the FDCPA, and are now demanding an amount far exceeding what is legally permissible. I seek the mediator 's assistance in compelling AutoMaster to : ( 1 ) Return my vehicle immediately ; ( 2 ) Limit their claim to the amount legally allowed under Florida Statute 516.31 ( 3 ) ; and ( 3 ) Cease all unlawful and inappropriate communication practices.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation