Consumer complaint received 2024-05-17 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Auto debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action — Seized or attempted to seize your property
Company: Westlake Services, LLC
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
They claimed that the account was under them but showed no claim ( s ) but just a copy of a contract with the Lender and me but nothing mentioned anything with the 'Debt collector '. I told one of the agents that I'd be sending a letter via 'certified mail ' about this matter to make sure that everything was true and that I wouldn't want to send money to the wrong company. I sent a " Debt validation '' certified letter to the 'Debt Collector ' that I'm willing to comply with the financial obligation that I may owe to the 'Debt Collector ' on the condition that they provide : Validation of the debt, verification of their claim against me ( a signed invoice ), and a copy of the contract binding both parties ( The 'Debt Collector ' & I ) in a letter by 'certified mail '. 

This was in XX/XX/year>. They received the letter on XX/XX/year>, at XXXX XXXX. I did receive a call from them afterward, but not about the letter but to see I had acknowledged that I'd be paying the 'Debt Collector ' from now on. I told them that wouldn't be a problem as long as they responded to the letter I sent and provided what I requested. The agent wanted to know what was being requested and I referenced a couple from the letter but the agent was adamant about sending the copy of the contract via email. I was kind of suspicious at that moment so I just told the agent to send it via email so I could look over it ( thinking that it was per what I'd requested ) I then told the agent I did wish not to be called from now on and that everything will be in writing via 'certified mail ' just as I requested. I checked my email just to see this " Copy of the contract '' was just my copy of a contract that I had with my 'Lender '. Finally, I received mail from them, it was forwarded.

To my confusion, all they sent me was a " Billing Statement ''. I'm new to this so I thought I might have to give them more time to respond for providing what I requested. To this day I have yet to receive anything remotely to validate the debt or try to respond to the letter. The 'Debt Collector ' kept harassing me by calling me while I was working, I do deliveries for a company. So, time-to-time when I do answer there's no greeting ( s ) nor response, it'll be silence. I even tried to yell to see if I was low or if they couldn't hear me. I even got phone ca
lls from 'UNKOWN ' same thing happened, I called back but the numbers were not even registered hence the Operator/machine claimed the numbers were invalid. Now on XX/XX/year>, at XXXXXXXX XXXX before going to work I felt shocked and robbed that the vehicle was not where I parked it. I was very calm for unknown reasons ; I believed I was still in denial that someone may have stolen my vehicle. Before I called the cop, XXXX mentioned the difference between 'Towed ' and 'Stolen ' so I tried to investigate before calling in for a stolen vehicle. I made some calls, and eventually, I decided to call the 'Debt Collector '.

They did not ask how would they assist me today except by asking me how I'd be handling the payment, today. I told them " That's not why I called for. Do you happen to know where my car is? '' Yeah, we towed. '' the agent answered. They couldn't have such authority since they didn't validate the debt, have a contract with me, or respond to the letter. I felt violated since they released my non-public information to a third-party 'Repo ' company and are not part of my contract with the 'Lender '. My U.S. Passport is in there along with my other stuff. I finally got upset, so we went back and forth with them not doing what was right, we spent like an hour and 37 minutes on the phone.

I asked about the information the 'Repo ' company to inquire about some proof of who gave the authorization for repoing due to the 'Debt Collector ' " couldn't '' provide such information nor any contract that I have with the 'Debt Collector ' so once I again I asked the 'Supervisor ' " So, how do I owe your company the amount? '' " Oh, I have your copy of your contract '' The 'Supervisor ' answered. " That just means I have a contract with the 'Lender ' not with your company ( Debt Collecting Agency ) '' So, I asked do you had proof that you have a contract involving me, The 'Lender ', and You, the company ( Debt Collector ) that shows that I owe the 'Debt Collection Agency ' not by word? '' " Oh yeah, I have the 'Power of Attorney ' '' The 'Supervisor ' answered. So, I asked for a document, a paper showing something of that claim. The 'Supervisor ' stated that were sent via email. I also asked the name of the 'Repo ' company, I was planning to ask for any proof that they had any judicial order to repo my vehicle. The 'Supervisor ' gave me the wrong name but I was able to leave a voicemail around XXXXXXXX XXXX 

To this day, XX/XX/year>, I have yet to receive any callback from the 'Repo ' company or any lawful contract that determines that I have any financial obligation with this 'Debt Collector ' They only sent me my Payment History, My copy of the contract with the 'Car Dealership ', Company Contact Information and a Payoff Letter via email.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation