ComplaintsforSouthern Auto Finance Company, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  10/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This is part of an ongoing issue for 3 years but this specific complaint regards the inability of SAFCO to allow me contact with their **************** I have attempted multiple times, which SAFCO and my local WV *** have records of, to get my car's license changed from ******* to *************. Only in the last month have they both finally moved forward with the requests I've had them send. As of October 13, I was informed by the *** that they sent the Title request and that SAFCO now needed to carry on with their part. SAFCO has not contacted me about the title and any attempts to call have ended with their line hanging up on me. I called their number 3 times on Oct 13, once to a representative that transferred me and twice to the ***************** directly. As of today, Oct 17, I called twice again. The first to the ***************** and next to a representative who transferred me. None of these calls resulted in a connection to the *****************. This has caused many issues over the last 3 years and SAFCO has made no attempts to help or rectify the situation. There are more outstanding issues I've experienced with this company but this is the most pressing as there are legal ramifications regarding my car's title not being transferred to my current address.

  Business response

  10/25/2022

  SAFCO has received and reviewed the consumers inquiry regarding a request to have title paperwork sent to the West Virginia ***.
  SAFCO reached out to the *** and was able to obtain a physical address to send the paperwork. The paperwork was sent overnight via fed ex and receipt of the paperwork was confirmed by the ***.  The *** has reached out to the consumer to make an appointment to come in and complete the process.
  If the consumer needs any additional assistance, they can reach out to SAFCO via phone at ************** or via email at **************************************
  SAFCO considers this case closed.

• Initial Complaint

  10/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Last month I paid my payment, then set up my auto pay & paid the $4.95 processing fee. The employee didnt save ******** SAFCO called me wanting another $4.95 fee!! I make $12 an hour, I dont have $5 for a mistake their employee made from a company that invests.

  Business response

  10/18/2022

  SAFCO has investigated the consumer request regarding the $4.95 fee for the AutoPay payment not processing.  SAFCO spoke with the consumer, corrected the AutoPay error, and offered an account credit.
  The consumer was satisfied with this resolution. SAFCO considers this case closed. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/08/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company is trying to get a debt company ****** and associates to extort money out of me and my insurance company. For a fraudulent insurance claim by thier client who never filed any accident report. I do not have a accident on my driving records. They are harassing me with false information and making threats to suspend my license.

  Business response

  09/15/2022

  SAFCO spoke with the consumer on 9/15/2022 and determined that the BBB complaint was filed against SAFCO in error.  The consumer was just trying to make the BBB aware of possible fraud with ****** and Associates, but we determined that it may be ***************** not SAFCO Auto Finanace.  The consumer was satisfied with the phone call and agreed that the case should be closed.

• Initial Complaint

  08/29/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Misleading False Reporting This account is negligently and inaccurately reporting failing to comply with 15 USC ****. Delete this unverified and inaccurate account.

  Business response

  09/07/2022

  SAFCO has reviewed and investigated the customers inquiry regarding the information reporting on their credit report. 
  
  The original high credit limit for this account was $18,975.00.  As of 09/07/22, the principal balance due is $4,464.76 with a payoff amount of $9,435.19. The date of first delinquency was 12/14/16 and negative account information can be reported up to seven (7) years from this date.  A debt validation including the consumer's original contract and payment history was mailed via **** to the address on the inquiry on 8/31/22. The consumer may contact the SAFCO Debt Resolutions team at ************** or ************** with any questions or to make arrangements to resolve the outstanding debt.
  
  SAFCO has verified that there has been a true and accurate reporting on the customers credit report per the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).  SAFCO is a monthly data furnisher and information will continue to be reported with true and accurate account information without modification.  

• Initial Complaint

  07/13/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I bought a car and it was repossessed, this company for the last 5 years has continued to add interest to my account and has never provided me with the correct papers as per what ** law states, After your car is repossessed, your lender must give you written notice that the car is repossessed. The car can then be sold at a public auction or private sale. The lender must give you notice of the auction or private sale date. I never received any of this further more on a 10k loan they claim And repost on my credit that I owe over 18k. When there is only supposed to be a deficiency balance left after the sale of the car? So why are they still reporting to my credit each month and adding interest? I will be contacting a lawyer if they do not fix the credit reporting to the correct amount. I never received any papers from them after the sale of the car to include the remaining deficiency balance after the sale. Or any communication after it was repossessed.

  Business response

  07/14/2022

  SAFCO has received and reviewed the consumers inquiry regarding a request for a verification of debt owed and the account balance reporting on their credit. 
  On 2/24/2020 SAFCO received a BBB inquiry (BBB case #********)from this consumer regarding the same account status information.  The request was investigated at that time,the consumer was provided with requested documentation and the case was closed as the credit reporting is true an accurate.
  The consumer was provided with the contact information for SAFCOs debt resolutions department to settle the outstanding debt, but has not done so.
  SAFCO requests that this inquiry be closed as a duplicate of the previously answered and closed BBB case from 2/24/2020.

• Initial Complaint

  06/29/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We paid our car loan off on *** 19th. We have a payoff letter stating that if we paid off our car by *** 20, that the payoff was ****** Which we Paid In Full on *** 19th,. We still have the payoff letter that we printed out on their website when we paid our car loan off online. We also have the statement showing the Payoff. The problem is, this Horrible company has NOT posted our final payment. It has been over a month & when we call their Automated system, the automated system does NOT state that they have posted our payment for *** **** does Not state the We paid them In Full for the Payoff. We have tried to resolve this by phone But we were told Lies. A supervisor named ***** told us that this would be corrected in a few days & that was in *** shortly after we paid off the loan but here it is over a month and they are still showing a balance of what we paid them, the automated system is still stating a payoff of the amount we paid them. THEY ARE ALSO DESTROYING OUR CREDIT BY SHOWING A BALANCE ON A CLOSED ACCOUNT. ***** SAID THE ACCOUNT IS CLOSED BECAUSE WE PAID OFF THE LOAN BUT THEY ARE STILL SHOWING THE BALANCE OF WHAT WE PAID *********** ARE REPORTING A BALANCE ON A PAID IN FULL ACCOUNT. ***** SAID THEY WOULD SEND A PAID IN FULL LETTER ON JUNE ********* CAR TITLE BUT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED NEITHER. THESE PEOPLE ALSO CHARGED US TOO MANY CAR PAYMENTS EVEN AFTER THE LOAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID IN FULL 6 MONTHS AGO BUT THEY KEPT CHARGING US PAYMENTS & NOW THIS. THESE PEOPLE ARE CROOKS. WE ARE WANTING THEM TO SHOW THAT OUR ACCOUNT IS PAID IN FULL ON THEIR AUTOMATED TELE***** ************** RECORDS AND A PAID IN FULL LETTER AND OUR TITLE AND THEY NEED TO REPORT THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON OUR CREDIT THAT THIS CAR LOAN WAS PAID IN FULL. IF YOU CALL THEIR NUMBER & PUT OUR ACCOUNT NUMBER INTO THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM, YOU WILL HEAR ON THE ***** THAT THEY ARE NOT SHOWING A ZERO ************** KEPT OUR MONEY AND THEY DID NOT APPLY IT TO OUR CAR LOAN. WE ARE FILING A LAWSUIT.

  Business response

  07/08/2022

  SAFCO has reviewed and investigated the consumers inquiry regarding the paid in full status of their SAFCO account. 
  
  In regards to the claim that SAFCO did not post the consumers final payment, SAFCO received and posted a payment from the consumer on 5/19/2022.  This payment paid the loan in full and the loan was closed.  On 6/2/2022, a paid in full letter was mailed to the consumer at the address on file, which matches the address on the BBB inquiry.  The title was also mailed to this address on 6/3/2022.  A representative of SAFCO spoke to the consumer on 6/30/22 and the consumer confirmed at that time, they have been out of town and not been home yet to find out if they have received the paid in full letter and title. 
  
  In regards to the *** phone system stating the consumer still owes a balance, SAFCO did investigate and found that the *** does state the consumer has a zero balance; however, it also does provide the regular contractual payment amount with a prior due date.  SAFCO is in the process of updating the *** phone system to remove the portion of providing a prior regular contractual payment amount with a prior due date for paid in full/closed accounts.   All other information regarding this loan in the *** phone system confirms that it is paid in full with a zero balance. 
  
  In regards to the account reporting as open with a balance on the consumers credit trade line, SAFCO has verified with the three credit bureaus that the consumers account is reporting paid and closed with a zero balance.  There are no errors in the credit reporting of this account. 
  
  In regards to the consumers claim that SAFCO charged them too many payments, the consumer received four deferments, which extended the term of the loan.  This information is provided to and accepted by the consumer upon granting each deferment. 
  
  It has been determined that the consumers account with SAFCO is paid in full with a zero balance.  The paid in full letter and title have been mailed to the consumer and the consumers credit trade line is showing paid and closed with a zero balance with all three major credit bureaus.  SAFCO considers this case closed.

  Customer response

  07/18/2022

   
  Complaint: 17497392
  
  I am rejecting this response because: THE  TELEPHONE AUTOMATED SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. IT STATES THAT SAFCO DID NOT APPLY OUR ***** PAYMENT & PAYOFF TO OUR ACCOUNT. IT STATES THAT OUR ***** PAYMENT & PAYOFF PAYMENT WAS NOT POSTED. WHAT DID THEY DO WITH OUR FINAL PAYMENT?? IF THEY APPLIED IT TO OUR ACCOUNT, THEN  THE TELEPHONE AUTOMATED SYSTEM SHOULD STATE THAT BUT IT STATES INCORRECT INFORMATION.  THEY TOLD US MONTHS AGO THAT IT WOULD BE CORRECTED & THEY TOLD YOU THAT IT WOULD BE CORRECTED BUT IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THAT IS A CONCERN THAT THEIR TELEPHONE AUTOMATED SYSTEM THAT GIVES OUR ACCOUNT DETAILS & THE PAYOFF IS STATING THAT THEY HAVE NOT APPLIED OUR FINAL PAYMENT & PAYOFF  TO OUR ACCOUNT.  ALSO INSTEAD OF THEM CHARGING US FOR 4 DEFERRED PAYMENTS IT SEEMS THAT THEY CHARGED US FOR 6 OR MORE & THE INTEREST THAT THEY CHARGED US WAS ENORMOUS!!. WE HAD A FIVE YEAR LOAN BUT IT SEEMED LIKE THEY CHARGED US FOR 82 PAYMENTS. WE ARE REQUESTING A PRINT-OUT OF EVERY PAYMENT THAT WE MADE TO THEM TO BE SENT TO OUR PO BOX THAT THEY HAVE ON FILE & WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THEY CORRECT THE TELEPHONE AUTOMATED SYSTEM  TO SHOW THAT NO MORE PAYMENTS ARE DUE  & THAT WE PAID *****  PAYMENT & THE PAYOFF IN FULL. WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS ARE THESE PEOPLE RUNNING???? IT WAS A NIGHTMARE DEALING WITH THEM. THE AUTOMATED SHOULD STATE THE CORRECT INFORMATION BUT THEY STILL HAVE NOT CORRECTED IT. ***** PAYMENT & OUR FINAL PAYOFF HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL BUT THEY HAVE NOT POSTED IT TO OUR ACCOUNT. IF THEY HAD,  THE TELEPHONE AUTOMATED SYSTEM WOULD STATE THAT BUT THEY STILL HAVE NOT CORRECTED IT & WE PAID THEM IN MAY & HERE IT IS JULY & IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.. IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED, WE ARE FILING WITH THE ***** ATTORNEY GENERAL & OUR ATTORNEY. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** & *************************

  Business response

  07/25/2022

  SAFCO has received the consumers response regarding the information provided on the telephone automated system.

  
  As our telephone automated system states, when the consumer enters their account number, the account has a zero balance.  SAFCOs telephone automated system is designed to provide the account balance and next payment due on open, active accounts.  It is not intended for use on paid in full accounts.  In this instance, as the account balance states zero, this would indicate that the account is paid in full. 

  
  The payment histories and a copy of the paid in full letter were provided to the consumer via **** on June 29, 2022 to the ** Box on the account as previously requested. 

  
  Regarding the number of payments made on the account, the term of the Retail Installment Sales Contract is for all payments to be made on or before the due date.  This was not applicable on the consumers account; therefore with a simple interest loan,additional payments may be required beyond the term of the agreement due to accrued interest.  

  
  SAFCO has updated the consumers account in the telephone automated system.  As the account reflects a zero balance, the requested payment histories have been provided, as well as a paid in full letter, the consumer should discontinue use of the automated telephone system as the basis of their inquiry.

  
  SAFCO considers this case closed.

   

  Customer response

  07/29/2022

   
  Complaint: 17497392
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  We have a right to check the telephone automated system Because the telephone automated system was stating the wrong information on our account that is PAID IN FULL.  THEIR AUTOMATED SYSTEM WAS & PROBABLY STILL IS STATING THAT OUR PAY OFF WAS NOT APPLIED TO OUR LOAN.  THE SUMMARY OF OUR ACCOUNT WAS WRONG &  IT WAS STATING THAT THE PAYOFF  THAT WE PAID IN MAY HAD NOT BEEN  APPLIED TO OUR ACCOUNT.  ALL WE WANT IS FOR THE PAYOFF TO STATE ZERO BALANCE  & THE BALANCE TO STATE ZERO. IF THIS HAS BEEN CORRECTED, THIS COMPANY DID NOT CORRECT THE AUTOMATED TELEPHONE SYSTEM UNTIL WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THEY TOLD ME NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE AUTOMATED TELEPHONE SYSTEM WOULD BE CORRECTED WAY BACK IN MAY BUT IT NEVER WAS UNTIL WE CONTACTED THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. WHEN I SPOKE TO SOMEONE IN THE ********** IN JUNE., AFTER I FILED WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, SHE TOLD ME THAT IT STILL HAD NOT BEEN CORRECTED BUT THEY WOULD GET IT CORRECTED. THE PAYOFF WAS STILL SHOWING THE AMOUNT THAT WE PAID THEM IN MAY TO PAY OUR CAR LOAN OFF. HAD NOT BEEN APPLIED TO OUR ACCOUNT.  THIS COMPANY OFFERED NO APOLOGIES IN THEIR RESPONSE TO US IN THIS COMPLAINT FOR PUTTING US THROUGH THIS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO MAKE A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU  TO GET THEM TO CORRECT THIS. SO THIS JUST SHOWS YOU WHAT ALL THEY HAVE PUT US THROUGH. WE JUST WANT ALL OF THEIR RECORDS, INCLUDING THE TELEPHONE AUTOMATED SYSTEM TO SHOW THAT THE PAYOFF HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL AND THAT WE HAVE A ZERO BALANCE. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** & *************************

• Initial Complaint

  06/08/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I had a auto loan with Safco and I paid it off over two years ago. My last payment was at the end of 2019. I received my title on 1/23/2020 and today on my credit Safco is reporting I owe close to $18,000.00. How is this possible? Just three months ago Safco was reporting the account was paid off. Now its showing I haven't made a payment since 2017 up until April this year 2022. Also I checked with my local DMV and there is no lien on my car title. I don't recall ever getting a notice in the mail or a call about any delinquent or late payments that should've been paid before I went to pick up my title, and I never deferred any payments while the account was open. This is not right at all. How can they report one statement and then it changes in a blink of a eye.

  Business response

  06/15/2022

  SAFCO has reviewed and investigated the consumers inquiry regarding the information reporting on their credit report.  SAFCO reached out to the consumer to clarify the complaint as there seemed to be some confusion with the loan status on record, compared to the consumers claim. The consumer did verify that she thought it was the vehicle she had financed with a different finance company that was paid in full, not the vehicle financed by SAFCO. 
  
  SAFCO has verified that there has been a true and accurate reporting on the consumers credit report per the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).  The consumer was provided with the contact information for SAFCO's debt resolutions department to settle the outstanding debt, and the consumer was satisfied with the clarification.  SAFCO considers this case closed.

• Initial Complaint

  05/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  ACT:9013****This letter is a formal complaint that you are reporting inaccurate and incomplete credit information. I am distressed that you have included the below information in my credit profile and have failed to maintain reasonable procedures in your operations to assure maximum possible accuracy in the credit reports you publish.I am maintaining a careful record of my communications with you for the purpose of filing acomplaint with the *** should you continue in your non-compliance. I further remind you that, as in Wenger ** ****************** No. 95-6445 (C.D.Cal. No** 14,1995), you may be liable for your willful non-compliance.Credit reporting laws ensure that bureaus report only 100% accurate credit information. Every step must be taken to assure the information reported is completely accurate and correct.The following information therefore needs to be reinvestigated. I respectfully request to be provided proof of this alleged item,specifically the contract, note or other instrument bearing my signature. Failing that, the items must be deleted from the report as soon as possible.Under federal law, you have 30 days to complete your reinvestigation. Be advised that the description of the procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information is hereby requested as well. Please provide this information within 15 days.This agency is in violation of 15 U.S.C. ****g. They were to notify me of this in writing 5 days prior, I was not. As the original creditor, only I can validate this debt. I do not validate this debt. Therefore, the following accounts must be deleted from my report.Failure to respond satisfactorily with deletion of the above referenced account and a free copy of my report after the changes have been made will result in the above actions being taken against your company; I will also be seeking $1,000 per violation for:1.) Defamation 2.) Negligent Enablement of Identity Fraud 3.) Violations of 15 ***********

  Business response

  05/19/2022

  SAFCO has reviewed and investigated the consumers inquiry regarding the information reporting on their credit report.  SAFCO has verified that there has been a true and accurate reporting on the consumers credit report per the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).   
  
  The original high credit limit for this account was $12,432.00.As of 5/18/2022, the principal balance due is $5,681.83 with a payoff amount of $10,846.42.  The date of first delinquency was 3/31/2018 and negative account information can be reported up to seven (7) years from this date.  The consumer may contact the SAFCO Debt Resolutions team at ************** or ************* with any questions or to make arrangements to resolve the outstanding debt.
  
  A debt validation including the original signed retail installment sales contract, complete payment history of the account and a letter detailing the account information has been sent to the consumer via **** to the address on the complaint.
  
  SAFCO has verified that there has been a true and accurate reporting on the consumers credit report per the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).  SAFCO is a monthly data furnisher and information will continue to be reported with true and accurate account information without modification.  SAFCO considers this case closed.

• Initial Complaint

  05/03/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I called Safco for a pay off amount on my auto loan, which is being administrated by Peritus because of my past bankruptcy, the person in titles told me l needed to call back as his manager was out until last Wednesday, l called Peritus for a payoff amount and also asked them if l pay it off early is the interest reduced as well or not, they told me no, l called Safco May 3, 2022 and spoke to a gentlemen in Title and told him why l was calling for a payoff amount, he put me on hold and then came back to say his manager told him to tell me to call Peritus, l told him if l pay it off early is interest reduced, he said with them yes but did not know with Peritus, l told him what Peritus told me and l asked him how can l find out if the reduced interest applies also because of the bankruptcy, he told me again l told you to contact Peritus, l told him, l do want to pay more then l have too if it does not matter on the interest reduction if l was in Bankruptcy or not, l asked him who can tell me the right answer, he got rude and told me have a good day. I need to know if l pay it off early do l have to pay interest until the life of loan or is it reduced not matter that Peritus has it. The pay off amount they gave me was $2940.14 by Peritus including the interest to end of loan. I need BBB help in getting to the bottom of my question. Thank You

  Business response

  05/13/2022

  SAFCO has reviewed and investigated the consumers inquiry regarding the required payoff on their account. The account was involved in a bankruptcy, as such, the account is being serviced by a 3rd party vendor, ****************.  The consumer contacted SAFCO for a payoff and was referred to **************** to obtain that information. 
  
  Since this complaint was filed, **************** has reached out to the consumer, explained the account status and amount owed to pay off the loan.  The consumer is satisfied with the explanation and is discussing arrangements to pay off the loan with them.
  
  SAFCO considers his case closed.

  Customer response

  05/16/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩