Complain about a product or service

American General Finance

Ernestine of Columbia, SC November 23, 2009

I obtained a loan from AG on 2007. The loan was 11%. Now it is 17%. That is not the worse part. Gene the manager was VERY rude to me. On Oct 13, 2009, I total loss my car whom AG was the lein holder. The insurance company told me everything was settled.

Later I get a call telling me to make a payment for the car. I told them, I thought it was settled. Gene got on the phone and told me I had to pay now. I hold him, I did not have it now. He said, "If you ran out of gas, you have no money to put in your car?" He was being very rude and yelling at me. He also told me, he will not release the title to the car to the insurance and haul me into court and MAKE ME pay for the entire balance even though the insurance was going to pay most of it. I told him, to do what he had to do.

I was on the phone with the insurance company. AG wrote the wrong number on the release letter and refuse to change the amount from 2126.91 to 2126.90. Gene is holding it up so he can MAE ME pay for the entire balance. This is totally uncalled for. He was very rude, and unprofessional. When I asked to speak with Courtney, he yelled, "SHE IS BUSY. But then later while yelling at me, he said the office was closed and they were just there haveing a business meeting, that is why he answered the phone.

As of today, Nov 23, 2009, Gene has not released the title to the car and has not changed the correct amount on the letter. He is holding out so the interest can grow and I can owe more on the balance or he is try to MAKE ME pay the entire balance. AG should be investigated for the numerous complaints received from customers. The economic damage is that I now still have another bill to pay including buying another car. Before, I had no car payment. The physicas damage was that I was so upset about the way he yelled and talked to me that I could not sleep that night.

Angie of Baton Rouge, LA November 20, 2009

Due an employment related lay off and other unexpected situations, mortage payments started getting behind. For the past 7 months, a loan modification has been requested and refused. AMerican General continuously stated they had no such program in place (though they took stimulus funds). After countless calls to various managers, I was told in 10/09, a modification would be considered. They asked only for income information. How can one's financial picture be understood by income and without attention to debts?

Based on this search for income only, it became clear that a denial was on the way because no one was ever going to consider the "modification." In early 11/09, I got the call informing me that my "modification" was denied. Surprise--surprise. When I asked why, I was told my GROSS income exceeded 13& of the loan amount. It would be funny were it not my life. I don't even see GROSS income. It didn't matter to them that my debts exceed my income. They actually had the gall to say that they were being forced by the government to use that calculation. Yeah, right.

In light of the denial, I agreed to send a full payment and was told after a few full payments, the past due balance would be removed due to an extention. I sent in a post dated check.

Tonight, I got a call telling me 290 more would be neeed or I would have to vacated by 11/30/09. I am sure the idea was to get the bulk payment then call back on the eve of Thanksgiving Holiday and threaten foreclosure so they could scare the additional 290 that was never mentioned out of me. The two managers I called to report the dishonest and unethical act responded only by saying the notes on the account said I was told about the additional 290. They wouldn't hear that that did not take place. This company has taken the stimulus money and is not using it to help the public.

I work. I am willing and able to pay, I just need a slight reduction (due a reduction in my husband's income). They will not grant it. Please think twice about doing business with them. I have been a customer for 8 years with a flawless payment history for 6 plus years. They actually advised me to file bankruptcy and not pay my other creditors so I could pay them. They are ruthless and they need to be stopped. I pray legal action is on the way.

Jarrod of Burlington, WI November 5, 2009

This office deposited a check dated november 3rd, 2009 on Oct 30, 2009. Told them to hold the check as we have done for the past 6 months. They made the mistake and deposited early and will not cover the 31.00 bank fee from my bank. In admitting they made the mistake and deposited early, I dont feel I should have to cover my fee. I think they should have to own up!

I have already talked to my bank and they will wave the fee, but I think American General should be the one to wave the fee. This payment has been made on my dads account at M&I Bank as I am unemployed and so is my dad. He has been making the payments for the past year. He has also paid the late fee every month.

Dayna of Buckeye, AZ October 29, 2009

Be very careful with considering obtaining a loan with this company because if you do and find yourself in a hardship, you will be harassed. I lost my job with the state in Sept 2008, however; I have managed to make payments, falling 2 months behind at the most. This company is very harassing; manager or employee showing up at my home, telephone calls to my home and family members home from a man by the name of Omar.

I called on 10/29/09 to obtain payoff quote by using a friends cell phone (I did not provide them with the phone number from were I was calling) as soon as I hung up, a Miranda called to ask what my intentions were. I advised her, I am only one payment behind by 2 days!! I also advised not to call this number again, not to come by my home again and if so, I will consider it harassment. I further advised AGF to only contact me by correspondence through mail.

Maurene of Salinas, CA October 28, 2009

I had a loan with this company since April 2007. My husband and I started to get in hardship situation in October 2008 and went on maternity leave in March 2009. Even though we were in the middle of a hardship I still did my best on paying my loan even though it was always late. I then got into a debt settlement program in June 2009. My loan started to go into default in July 2009. To make matters worse this company decides to sue me in September and does not even give me any alternative options.

Before the lawsuit they called me every day at work, delivered a business card stating if I don't pay by 8/28 pending next acton, the last phone call I received was someone by the name Omar and asked me "if i knew what I was?" and I said yes everything was explained loud and clear. He then told me if I don't pay my past due they would move to litigation and my wages would be garnished. They never gave me other options but would rather take me to court....how stupid.

Trudi of Cambridge, OH September 19, 2009

I have a personal loan with American General Finance, I used my vehicle to secure this loan. On September 15, 2009 2 men showed up at my place of employment and told me they were there to repossess my vehicle due to being 2 months behind on my payments. My payment is due on the 11th of every month and on my statement I receive each month it also shows that after the 21st of the month I then have a 15.00 late charge. Yes I was behind on the August payment due to a house repair that ended up costing me more than I had expected. I had planned on making the august payment that day as I had the money but just hadn't made the payment yet. I knew or thought that I was ok that once I made the august payment I would be caught up until Sept. 21st thanks to the 10-day grace period. Guess not...

I then immediately called American General and spoke with Aaron who told me that since I hadn't returned his phone calls that he had "no choice" but to take my vehicle. I told him that I was only 1 month behind and could and was going to make the payment that day. He refused to allow me to leave work then and make the payment. The 2 guys standing in my office had to bring my vehicle to American General and then I could come and pay them and get my vehicle back. When I asked how I was to get there since they were taking my vehicle Aaron said he didn't know what to tell me.

This is where it gets interesting: Aaron told me that I had to pay last month's payment, this month's payment, next month's payment plus 100.00 for the repossession!!!! My payment is 395.00 a month so I had to have 1,164.09 to pay them in order to get my vehicle back or they would keep it! The 2 guys were very nice and felt very bad for me and told me that one of them would drive my vehicle to American General if I gave him the keys so I would not suffer the embarrassment of having my vehicle repossess in front of all my co-workers. So I gave them my keys told Aaron that I would be in to pay the amount.

I then received a phone call from Aaron about 1/2 hour later wanting to know where I was at. Told him that I needed to find a way there first to pay, he then told me that my vehicle was going to be towed to an auction lot quite a distance from me and that when I paid then I would have to find a way to this lot to pick up my vehicle! Can you believe this just because I was 1 month behind! So I had my Mom come and pick me up I go to the bank to get the money as I was also told that I had to bring cash! I then call Aaron on my way to the bank to ask him just exactly where was my vehicle and he tells me that he will tell me once I show up with the money! I was needing to know so I could let my Mom know if she would need to drive me to this auction lot or not.

I then go into American General and pay this huge amount of money and ask Aaron about the grace period as I was only 1 month behind he then told me that there is no 10-day grace period!! I said well its on my statement each month and I was then told they have that on there for people that get paid twice a month! Excuse me doesn't most people receive a paycheck at least twice a month?? I was then told I was caught up until November and that if I'm late again they will take the vehicle for good!!

I truly think that they thought there was no way I would be able to pay them the amount they were asking for and they wanted me not to be able to get my vehicle back!! Oh and my vehicle was at a car lot not far from my residence...go figure that one. I feel that American General is a "loan shark" type business and they are out to get anyone who doesn't have perfect credit, rope them in and then literally do all they can to see that person fail and not able to eventually get their loan paid-off. I think they need investigated and if anything if they don't have a 10-day grace period then they shouldn't be allowed to print it on their statements each month.

Sandra of St Louis, MO September 15, 2009

I have a personal loan and have not recieved any statements in the mail for over three month every time I call to get a statement for payment they are telling me that all the statements have been returning back to the office. I have lived at my same address for 5 years I am a Soldier in the United States Army Station in St Louis. The manager has been rude to me and refuse to send me out any statements. I know they are trying to make me late on payments. The managers in other offices tried to help with no success. AMERICAN GENERAL FINANCE should be investicated as soon as possible. I know they are trying to get more money out of me. I am not late or have ever been late on any payments I have also have 3 personal loans with this company.

Katy of Seaford , VA September 10, 2009

I had an open loan with AGF for about 8 years and made all of my payments on time until the last year. This loan was in my name only. I got one-two months behind. When I started getting money in again I began making payments each month, however, I was still a month behind. Lots of phone calls, AGF wouldn't tack on the late payment to the end of the contract, etc.

AGF took out a judgement and the week of Christmas froze the joint account with my husband's name on it (even though he was not on the AGF account). The joint account is what we pay bills with. It turned in to a huge mess and Ms. Bailey thought it was pretty funny.

Duane of Vancouver, WA August 3, 2009

American General made a home equity loan in 2002, I requested a loan modification in February of 2009, in accordance with the making home more affordable program. American General told me they did not have to give me a modification and stated they would foreclose instead of helping us. I am now on Social Security and cannot afford the 1171 per month. I only get 1648. that is almost my whole check. These guys need to be stopped. 1st. American General Financial is a wholly owned subdsidiary of AIG. American General is an unscrupulous subprime lender

Patti of Mt Washington , KY June 30, 2009

I Had An Emergency almost four years ago and had to borrow 1500.00. Due to the death of my husband, money is tight, when I am late they call my cell phone over and over, come by the house, and even use other numbers, cell phones, to contact me. How and 4 years later my pay off is now at over 2000 dollars. This is worse than the credit card scandals, this has to be stopped. How can anybody pay this off.

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