Bank harrassment!

[jdbower]

Yes, the coffee and the shotgun are more literary than literal, but I'm a bit confused as to this "weakness" thing (honestly so, I'm not trying to pick a fight with you). What does it buy the repo man when the vehicle isn't on the property, never was on the property, and if they do find it you'd want it hauled away anyway because it's not yours? Making the first visit free is fine by me, but I'm of the opinion that if someone acts like they're hiding something they're more likely to be so. A repo man may simply assume everyone's hiding something, but still I don't see how this perceived weakness can help them if the next time you escort them off the property - shotgun or no.

On the other hand this weakness buys you the ability to use the phrase "we've cooperated" in front of a judge and/or jury which has a definite plus and, if the collection agency is reasonable (I know, that may be a stretch), there's a point of evidence that the van isn't there and they'll look elsewhere.

 

[Bird]

I just have a hard time seeing this as a big deal. One phone call and one visit? And considering paying a lawyer at that point? Of course I'm sure the lawyer would appreciate the business and anyone is certainly welcome to hire a lawyer for anything anytime, but it seems a waste of money to me. Now if they started calling repeatedly; i.e., more that 4 or 5 times, or if they were calling at hours when I was asleep and were waking me up, or if they visited in person more than 2 or 3 times, I might consider talking to a lawyer, but otherwise it just would not be a big deal to me.

And yes, you'd be within your rights to order a repo person (or anyone else) off your property, but in Texas at least, before the police could make an arrest for trespassing, you'd have to order him off in the officer's presence and he'd have to refuse to leave, unless of course the property is properly signed or the trespasser is in a place a visitor would not normally be found, such as in any buildings on the premises. As with most legal matters, it can be simple or it can be complicated.

 

[Jimbrown]

The one thing I did not see suggested is the first thing I would have done. Go to the bank in person or at least a branchof that bank and ask to speak to a manager and explain the whole deal. I suspect yu will get better answers that way.

 

[zeuspaul]

I believe identity theft is a crime. You might want to consider going to the police station and getting it on record.

Zeuspaul

 

[kenmac]

I'd really be surprised if the police could arrest anyone for trespass or harrassment under the circumstances.




Sure you can, if it were to continue After they have been notified to go away & never return to the property

 

[MossRoad]

Lawyers have friends?

They have moms and grandmas, too. I even know one that rescues abandoned puppies.

 

[dmccarty]

They have moms and grandmas, too. I even know one that rescues abandoned puppies.

Yeah, but what do they DO with the puppies.

Later,
Dan

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Jeff, I see your point. One thing that any repo man will tell you is that people constantly lie to the repo man. They look them dead in the eyes and lie. The repo man is used to dealing with all types. He has people treat him like they went to high school with him, and lie like a rug. Then they have people be irate and lie like a rug. Then everything inbetween. Best thing is just order them off the property, say nothing else. The repo man doesn't care if it's your vehicle or the Pope's, doesn't care where it is, or if you have your baby's car seat in it. They just want the vehicle so they can get paid. They are just doing their job, they stay isolated from the situation. If they know they aren't going to get the vehicle, they leave. If they want it bad enough, they sit down the street and watch. They will follow you to the grocery store, as soon as you go in, you better call for a ride home. If the vehicle never was at your home, there is nothing to see. They can't take another vehicle, only the one they have paperwork for.

The repo man has heard all kinds of stories. He has probably heard the "I've never even owned a car of that make" a thousand times. He has heard, "I sold it", or anything else more times than you can count. Just ask any cop. When you get lied to that often, you believe nothing until it can be proven. I haven't seen my buddy in a long time, but he had more stories than Bill Clinton has girlfriends.

 

[EarPlug]

I called the bank using the number given to me by the collection agency agent, and told the lady on the phone my story.

How do you know you actually called the "Bank"? They gave you the number! Did you provide them any personal info on that call? Did they ask you for info?

So far all of the contact has been initiated by them. How do you know they are legit? I would consider getting the "Bank's" number from a public source and call them to verify their claim.

Jack

 

[MossRoad]

I just have a hard time seeing this as a big deal.....

Me too. I'd call the bank and ask what their name was to make sure you don't know them. See if you can get some pictures of them. Maybe they are people that you do business with, like cashiers in a local store or eating establishment. That could be how they (the criminals) could have gotten your personal info. Try to work with the bank to find out who they are. Do not become antagonistic towards the bank. You should be happy they are going after someone that is giving you a bad name. Help them as much as possible.

 

[dmccarty]

How do you know you actually called the "Bank"? They gave you the number! Did you provide them any personal info on that call? Did they ask you for info?

So far all of the contact has been initiated by them. How do you know they are legit? I would consider getting the "Bank's" number from a public source and call them to verify their claim.

Jack

Jack beat me to the question I would have asked if I was not funn'n on MossRoad's lawyer comment.

Have you talked with anyone based on a number YOU provided? Not what THEY gave you? I get real paranoid when people call me out of the blue saying they are from the bank. Its always real I asked some pointed questions that the bank would know or I tell them I'll call back. I get their number and then check the phone book. Until I verify them they get nothing out of me. Especially SSN.

Later,
Dan

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, but what do they DO with the puppies.

Later,
Dan

Hmmm... he SAYS that he turns them into guide dogs for the blind.... but I never see any blind people driving over there....

 

[zeuspaul]

The bank and repo issues may not be a big deal. However the identiy theft can be a very big deal. It can take years to fix problems caused by identity theft. The bank and the repo guys are also victims of this crime.

Zeuspaul

 

[jelc]

I know I contacted the bank when I called yesterday, because the repo man is the one who gave me the contact.

Bird, I had three phone calls (two messages on my machine and a live call), not one, and one repo man visit. Maybe no big deal, even though I was quite shocked to hear the repo man came to my house, considering the last call from the bank had a lady tell me to forget about it, it was obviously a mistake. I am also not used to see repo men come and ask for me - that's the first time in my 60 years!

Two people I do not know got my unlisted street address (I have a PO box), my unlisted telephone number, and gave my name to a bank as the "named keeper" (the repo man's words) of a van I know nothing about. I think that may be cause enough for me to worry. What else do they or the bank have on me? I do not know.

I contacted the office of the president of the bank, and I got a first answer from a bank officer, stating they want to resolve this situation, and asking me for my account number before they can proceed - I have never been a customer of that bank, so I do not have an account number. I sent another email, giving details of this strange affair, and telling the bank officer that if they have my signature on any document, it is a forgery and I need to be informed immediately. I also asked the officer what relation those two people who named me claim to have with me, as I do not know them. I also asked why I was not contacted at the time of the loan, if I was named as a party to that deal?


JLC

 

[Bird]

I certainly don't blame you for being concerned and/or curious as to what happened. And if at all possible, I'd probably go with the suggestion above to go to the bank in person to see what I could find out.

Of course all my experience with repo men (there were no women back then, at least) is dated, but 30 years ago I was commander of the police communications division in Dallas. At that time, banks simply gave repo men a list of vehicles they wanted repossessed. The repo man got a fee for each one he brought in (usually $50 back then), and nothing unless he repossessed one. The repo men, whether working for a bank, loan company, car lot, or self-employed used car lot owner, all knew that when they repossessed a vehicle, the first thing they did as soon as they got out of sight of the location where they picked up the vehicle was to call police communications to report the information on the repossessed vehicle. That served a couple of functions. For one thing, the "owner" would frequently call to report his/her vehicle stolen and the police telephone operators would tell them who repossessed the vehicle instead of making a theft report. For another thing, as in many places, if the repo guy was caught on the vehicle owner's property, he could be required to leave without the vehicle, but once he left the property and notified the police of the repossession, it belonged to him and if the owner caught him, the owner was the one who had better back off.

 

[jelc]

Bird,

Thanks for the info.... Not sure I ever want to be involved with the repo world! To his credit, my wife said the repo man was polite and non-threatening, not like the stereotype I have seen on TV.

JLC

 

[Soundguy]

They have moms and grandmas, too. I even know one that rescues abandoned puppies.

PR work huh

soundguy

 

[MikeD74T]

jelc, I live in a small town & the police department is pretty accessible. In your situation, with the repo man at my property, I'd ask for an officer to respond, have the repo man's ID & vehicle ID verified, then allow the officer to look for it. Only if the repo man is legit will he hang around for police assistance. I agree that repo guys have a tough job and get lied to a lot but they have no rights on my property. I wouldn't allow any repo guy to follow the police on my property even if they seemed legit because they're job is to steal cars & there's no way of knowing whatever else they could be involved in. Just my suspicious nature I guess. MikeD74T

 

[Wayne County Hose]

I wouldn't allow any repo guy to follow the police on my property even if they seemed legit because they're job is to steal cars & there's no way of knowing whatever else they could be involved in. MikeD74T

No. Not true. Their job is to return a car to it's rightful owner because the person that borrowed money and signed a note saying they would pay it back didn't hold up their end of the bargain. If you want to get technical about it, the repo man is much more honorable than the people he is dealing with.

 

[Bird]

Yep, in all my years experience, I can't recall a repo man stealing anything while repossessing vehicles. I know we had at least one who got arrested because he was carrying a gun, got caught on the vehicle "owner's" property and threatened the owner (there was no such thing as a permit to carry a handgun in Texas back then), and I recall one who got in trouble for having a German Shepard dog for protection while repossessing vehicles.