Arcadia Transouth Aka Citigroup ripoff Englewood Cliffs New Jersey

In February, 2001 I purchased a 1998 Mazda from a local car dealer. At the time of purhcase my credit was not it's greatest, however they were able to get the car financed through Transouth. First of all with tax and title the dealership charged me over $11,000 for this car and by the time it was financed through Transouth, my loan was over $18,000. Desperate and in great need of transportation I sucked it in.

After 2 years of paying on time, I became ill (congestive heart failure) and was unable to work. My payments fell behind but never over a month. James from the Columbus office phoned me at work on a Monday and demanded the one month payment of $311.54, which I was behind. When I explained I would have the money in four days he became unglued. James told me that I should file bankrupcy, because apparently until I could not pay my bills and he went on to say he would pick up my car. I am almost 50 years old and I have never been talked to the way this man talked with me. Being a heart patient I do not put myself in situations where my emotions are put on edge because of what it could do to me. James was fully award of my health issues and continued to badger me.

I came home that evening and cleaned the car out and left it parked outside my house with keys and all for 3 days straight and it was never picked up. Payment was made on that Friday with no further contact from James. Then I was told from Transouth that the Columbus office would no longer be handling my account, which I was most thankful for.

I started having problems with the car a couple of weeks ago, however I didn't think it was possible for me to try and trade it in because of my $7,000 balance I still owed Transouth. However, to my surprise I was able to purchase a 2004 and a local bank financed me and payed off my balance with Transouth.

To my amazement, I received a call from Transouth this week demanding my payment for the month, with which I had the Greatest pleasure of telling them I didn't have the car anymore. The woman was very shocked and asked "Well, where is it then." I explained to her I had traded it in and they should have received a payoff check from the bank and hung up the phone.

Judith
Columbus, Ohio
U.S.A.