A-1 Loan Pawn Shop

Review: It came to my attention that when someone went into the pawn shop to inquire about my loans and items that the shop employee divulged information that is supposed to be protected by FTC Privacy Law. They told me when I went in there that there is no privacy law or contract between us. I know this is ridiculous and I want my merchandise back.Desired Settlement: I want my items back at no charge. That's it.

Business

Response:

Approx 1 week ago a couple came in to our pawnshop with notices on loans that were about to expire and informed us that items were stolen out of their home and they suspected their son ([redacted])whos notices came to his parents house, his parents open [redacted]s mail and saw that he has used the pawnshops services. Through their discriptions of their stolen items and us knowing those discriptions match some items that [redacted] had brought in here. We tried to guide them to going through the police dept and ask them to investigate.We believe this to be a civil matter between him and his parents and he went to the Revdex.com as a revenge tool against us and his parents. The notices we sent to Steve, to his parents, the address Steve gave to us, are a 10 day grace period on his loan. When [redacted] came in to our shop reguarding his loans on the 20th and was givin the expiration dates, 2 of which had already expired and were put out for sale and sold per the loan contract. I think these actions he has taken through the Revdex.com is because he is upset about losing his items in pawn. The loan contract clearly states expiration date and his actions through the Revdex.com were taken 3 days after the loans expired. No personal info about [redacted] was given to anyone that didn't know him (his parents), we were simply trying to assist his parents on getting their items back buy suggesting they involve the police department on this matter.

Sent on: 3/26/2014

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:

They are regulated with certain laws that they should stand by and this clearly was not the case.

“The California Pawnbrokers Association requires all of its members to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, as well as conform to local, state, and federal regulations. As an example, pawnbrokers are governed under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which requires financial institutions – companies that offer consumers financial products or services like loans, financial or investment advice, or insurance – to explain their information-sharing practices to their customers and to safeguard sensitive data.”

Taylor points out “Every pawnbroker in the United States must comply with two regulations promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that focus on the privacy and security of information provided by consumers.”

The first of these rules is the Rule Concerning the Privacy of Customer Information (“Privacy Rule”), 16 C.F.R. Part 313, which went into full effect on July 1, 2001. This rule requires pawnbrokers and others who meet the definition of “financial institution” under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 (GLBA) to provide notices to their consumer customers about their privacy policies and to use and share information only in accordance with the policies they describe in those notices or in the exceptions provided in the rule. Pawnbrokers should be complying with this FTC rule already.

The second rule, entitled “Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information” (“Safeguards Rule”), 16 C.F.R. Part 314, became effective on May 23, 2003. This rule requires that all GLBA “financial institutions” including their service providers who receive customer information from financial institutions have written policies and procedures demonstrating their administrative, technical, and physical safeguards for customer information.

Protecting Consumers’ Financial Privacy

Financial institutions are required to take steps to protect the privacy of consumers’ finances under a federal law called the Financial Modernization Act of 1999, also known as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The FTC is one of eight federal agencies that enforces provisions of Gramm-Leach Bliley, and the law covers not only banks, but also securities firms, and insurance companies, and companies providing many other types of financial products and services. Under the law, agencies enforce the Financial Privacy Rule, which governs how institutions can collect and disclose of customers' personal financial information; the Safeguards Rule, which requires all financial institutions to maintain safeguards to protect customer information; and another provision designed to prevent individuals and companies from gaining access to consumers’ personal financial information under false pretenses, a practice known as "pretexting."

This was in no way a retaliation, I take full responsibility for not paying on time. I would expect that the pawn shop give me some time to be able to pay this since they did clearly break our contract with divulging my information to just anybody. The owner stated he didn't even check ID so he had no idea who the person was, or what relationship me and my father have. Instead he took it upon himself to do what he thought was right and went against our contract.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

Mr. [redacted] came into our store and got loans, his loans matured and a 10 day grace period notice was sent to the address he gave to us (his parents address). Mr. [redacted]'s parents received and opened his mail, saw that they were pawn notices and wondered if they had anything to do with items that were stolen from their home. The only info given to them was to help them in their search for their stolen items, there was no personal info given to them (no name was sold, no drivers lic #, no SS#, ect...). Just a conversation with Mr. [redacted]'s parents. Mr. [redacted] has both expired loans and current loans. If he, as with any of our customers need more time on their loan, they can simply come in, pay the interest and receiver another 4 months on their loan.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:

No information should of been given period!!! The shop did not check identification, they didn't know who the people that were inquiring about MY loans, they just assumed it was my dad and step mother. They don't have ANY right giving ANY of my information to anyone as stated in the privacy law between a pawn broker and the client. Another local pawn shop was inquired within in the same manner and they hold to the law about consumer privacy so I am wondering why this shop didn't. I am in no way retaliating because of lost merchandise. The owner of the shop was a complete jerk when I approached him about what had happened in the first place and I am just a consumer that wants his privacy protected as per the law. Banks don't give out loan information on their clients to just anybody that walks in the door so why would a pawn broker that has given a loan to someone? Thank you.

[redacted] M. [redacted]

Review: My spouse went to pay interest on my laptop, and they would not accept payment because I wasn't there, even tho he had my slip and all my information.

employee stated that if I brought in $20 for payment on the 23rd for interest, that it would secure my 2013 Gateway laptop for me. I was not physically able to make it in however, my spouse [redacted] brought my payment, ID, and pawn slip in. He was then told that they can not except the money from anybody but me. The next day I went in to claim my laptop and they told me sorry its already on the shelf for sale, I'll sell it to you for $170 though. (serial number for laptop is:NXY1GAAXXXXXXXXXXE400 There was also a pink laptop carrying caseDesired Settlement: I want my property back, which includes the pink carrying case, and ac adapter that fits it.

Business

Response:

Initial Business Response

This is our reply to case #XXXXXXXX... We have been doing business with both [redacted] and her husband [redacted] since 2010. We have had nearly 20 loan transactions with them, all of which were without complaint because they stayed within the loan contract perameters.

In answer to her complaint reguarding the loan on her laptop, the loan contract clearly states all the rules, reg's, terms and dates and has been the same on all of their loans with us in the past. The statement she makes in this complaint about an employee saying she could pay the interest and secure her loan is correct during the loan period. Unfortunately she sent someone else in to renew the loan for her but he did not have the necessary paperwork to do so. We informed Mr. [redacted] what he needed to do but heard nothing more from him.

Mrs. [redacted] came in the next day, after the loan had expired, and her item was out for sale. At this time she asked how much the item was out for sale for and left our establishment. There was no discussion of a buy back price or options. The item was sold later that day and we never heard a work from her until we received this complaint letter.

I'm sorry this transaction wasn't to her satisfaction, but she was outside the loan period and the item was put out for sale and sold, according to the loan contract.

My spouse went to pay interest on my laptop, and they would not accept payment because I wasn't there, even tho he had my slip and all my information.

employee stated that if I brought in $20 for payment on the 23rd for interest, that it would secure my 2013 Gateway laptop for me. I was not physically able to make it in however, my spouse [redacted] brought my payment, ID, and pawn slip in. He was then told that they can not except the money from anybody but me. The next day I went in to claim my laptop and they told me sorry its already on the shelf for sale, I'll sell it to you for $170 though. (serial number for laptop is:NXY1GAAXXXXXXXXXXE400 There was also a pink laptop carrying case