Tracker Auto Recovery, Inc.

Review: They damaged my trailer hitch wiring during repo and stole my property.

My van was repoed on Sunday 9/22/13. I paid the fees to recover my vehicle the same day. I called Tracker and left a message and told them I paid the fees and would be taking my vehicle back and nothing better be missing or I would file a police report. I spoke with [redacted] Monday morning at approx. 8am. I told her I paid the fees and I would be coming to get the vehicle. After waiting for all the releases to go through...at about noon on Monday the 24th. I made an appointment for 3pm the next day...Tuesday the 25th. She said they had not inventoried the vehicle yet, but would have to before I could get it. When I went to my appointment to get my van...I noticed they had damaged my trailer hitch wiring when they did the repo. It was a brand new hitch and wiring system that I had put on by [redacted] in June 2013. I asked them about it and the man there said with a really bad attitude..."prove it". They also "disposed" of several items from my van. A full unopened pack of Marlboro cigarettes and 2 full unopened cases of 35 count Costco water and brand new baby wipes and hand sanitizers and all of my makeup. When I questioned them about my property, they said it was the "law" to dispose of certain items. [redacted] asked if I wanted her to print up the laws and I said yes and all of a sudden her printer stopped working. I read the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services CA repo consumer guide and it says nothing about them having to dispose of ANY of your property. It says they must inventory the itemsin the vehicle and hold them for 60 days. They knew the vehicle was NOT going to auction....they did not inventory my vehicle I until AFTER I had made an appointment to retrieve my vehicle. The man there also told me how he "acquired" his dog from an old ladies car that was parked next to a vehicle he was repossessing. He had threatened to tow the ladies vehicle if she left the dog in there, but instead went back and got the dog out. These people are lying dishonest people who use their repossessor position to steal from people. I told them I was going to make a police report and so [redacted] said she would call them and said the police would tell me I was wrong. Well when the Sheriff showed up....he told me it was not a police matter and he told me to file a civil lawsuit against them. Apparently they were not telling the truth. Not only that, but even after I paid them their $150 fee and signed all the papers, the man there would still not hand over my keys. I had to wait for the Sheriff to arrive in scene. They obviously have been getting away with these illegal and or bad business practices and think they can continue to get away with it. I hope that you will investigate them and keep a record of complaints so they will not get away with this anymore.Desired Settlement: I want my items replaced and I want my trailer hitch wiring repaired by [redacted]. It is damged so badly that I cannot use it at all.

Business

Response:

Initial Business Response

As explained to the debtor by the Sheriff it is a civil matter. The damage to the vehicle's trailer hitch wiring is an unfounded claim because it is an electrical problem with the vehicle that could have been a pre-existing problem. The debtor is unaware of how the repossession truck is operated otherwise she would understand that it is impossible that the damage was caused by the repossessor. In claims to personal property, If you are present when your vehicle is repossessed, you may take any personal effects that are not a danger to health or life, or the repossessor can remove the items from the vehicle and give them to you. If you are not present, the repossessor must inventory everything found in the vehicle and store the items securely for at least 60 days. Any weapons or dangerous drugs found when a vehicle is repossessed must be listed in the inventory and given to a law enforcement agency. Flammable items, food, and health hazard items also are listed on the inventory, then disposed of safely. Disposed of property will not be replaced by the agent since it is disposed of for liability purposes. The law also stated that the agent has 48 hours from the time of repossession to completely process the vehicle and property.

At Tracker Auto Recovery we do our job to the letter of the law. It is disheartening that Ms. [redacted] made un-founded threats towards Tracker Auto Recovery "that nothing better be missing from her vehicle" prior to settling her obligation to the finance company, prior to coming to the office, and then wasted the Sheriff's time because of her lack of education on repossession practices.

Final Consumer Response

(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)

The Sheriff actually encouraged me to file a civil suit against Tracker Recovery. It is obvious by the damage that was done to the asphalt, that my vehicle's back end scraped the ground when lifted and pulled onto the trailer of the tow truck. There was no issue with my wiring from my hitch and was only a few months old and professionally installed by [redacted]. I did call and leave a message that they better not steal or throw my property away or I would be making a police report. I did not threaten any form of violence. I was unaware I would have to file a civil lawsuit against Tracker. These people are thieves. They did not have to throw away my makeup and leave the bag, including my eyelash curled. They stated they must throw away all chemicals that is why they threw an unopened pack of cigarettes away, but they left power steering fluid in the back where they took other items out. They supposedly "threw away" items like unopened cigarettes and 2 unopened cases of water and my media player. I think they kept those items, stole them. My media player is also missing. Tell me how that is classified into one of the disposal categories. It is wrong these people can steal from people and damage property and lie about it. They are clearly responsible and have taken pictures of the property damage left from their carelessness. They are responsible for the damage and should have to pay for the repair. I will continue to pursue compensation for damages and hope this complaint stays on file. They are just denying everything even when there is evidence. Hopefully you will not let them get away with this.