Our story is very similar to Judy's of Rio Linda, CA and so many others. We also join the legions of those screwed royally by Northern Leasing Systems, Inc.
All the same deceptive practices and more:
- Using "independent sales people" to obtain your signature on their lease contracts so they can later claim "they have no control over how the independent sales people operate and it doesn't change what you owe to Northern Leasing"
- High pressure sales to lease credit card equipment - 2 individuals arrived in a strange looking van with odd markings all over it and entered our garage which was open to make their pitch to my spouse who was alone.
- Showing only 1 page of a 4 page lease with type too small to read (Of course they don't tell you about the 3 other pages). Not offering copies of anything signed (not till later anyway – after they've had a chance to “doctor” the documents). Verbal assurances that "You can cancel at any time".
- Fraudulently adding a 48 month lease term that was never mentioned or agreed to and other conditions of their choosing AFTER the lease is signed. (It's obvious that the additions are in a different handwriting).
- Failing to honor the 3-day cancellation rule
- Harassing phone calls 2x day every day to work phone AND home phone for months (this started after we closed the checking account to prevent further monthly withdrawals of whatever amounts tickled their fancy). We were told they would destroy our credit if we didn't pay.
- A bombardment of harassing letters with threats to sue for amount owed plus court costs.
- An improperly served summons (just left on our chair outside the front door with a mailed copy to arrive a few days later).
We did verify with the New York courts that yes we are actually being sued. Just need to find out what the ramifications are if they obtain a judgment against us and we don't pay since they're not getting a single penny from us. Can a lien be put on our home? Can wages be garnished? Can we demand that the case be brought to an Illinois court? Can we do anything in our defense prior to the court date without hiring a lawyer or going to New York?
We would love to counter sue the pants off them not only to erase the false debt we supposedly owe but to recover every other nickel we ever paid them plus damages for mental and emotional stress and anything else possible. If there are any lawyers out there willing to work on 100% contingency then please give us a shout!!!
Hey CBS, NBC, ABC and all other major media – how about an expose story on this company and all its down and dirty affiliates. It would make great TV and help hundreds of us in the same situation. Let's get this well-connected organized crime ring public so this unscrupulous group doesn't cheat thousands more innocent people just trying to open and run a small business.
sorry, …allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company… your comments on this policy are welcome! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Northern Leasing Victim
Chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.