J.J. of Waldorf, MD, tells this gripping tale of Chrysler Financial's amazing ability to get things wrong:

On Oct 6, 1998 I was involved in a traffic accident. The driver of the other vehicle was at fault and her insurance company, Allstate, agreed to repair my car.

Unfortunately on Oct 8, 1998 I was again involved in another accident. Again it was not my fault and the insurance company, USAA, determined that their insured was liable. This time however, the car was declared a total loss by USAA and Chrysler Financial was contacted to give a payoff amount.

The payoff amount quoted to USAA was $7,265.43. They requested a release of lien and although they were assured one would be sent to her, USAA did not actually receive it until the latter part of Dec. at which time they released a payment of $4273.55 as stated in the payoff letter.

I called Chrysler Financial and was told that I would received a letter stating the balance owed on the vehicle sometime within the next 30 days. So of course I waited.

It wasn't until financing on my new vehicle had fallen apart that I found out that Chrysler had not sent a balance letter and had no intention of doing so until it received the check from Allstate. I had been holding this check until I received the balance amount.

I must also mention that during the time we, USAA and myself, had waited from Oct to Dec for the release of lien letter, which Chrysler always promised but didn't get around to sending until the end of Dec. I had to continue making payments, which somehow were always posted late to my account or cashed even though it was not posted to my account. This totaled $808.00.

After numerous conversations and having been called stupid by an account manager, I sent a $2500 check. This was the insurance check plus $407 of my own money. So far Chrysler had received:

• $4,273.55, USAA Insurance Company
• $808.00, Oct and Nov payments made after USAA requested the payoff and release
• $2,093.00 Allstate
• $407.00 from me
• Total: $7,581.55

Time moved on and in Apr I applied for a debt consolidation Equity loan from Commercial Credit. After running my credit report, she noted that I still had a balance on my Chrysler account.

I called Chrysler and was told my account was being sent to the payoff department and my letter would be sent stating that my account was paid.

Apparently all the money sent my myself and USAA was being applied as payments not payoff that way Chrysler was able to continue to charge interest on the entire loan.

Yesterday I received a copy of my credit report from Equifax, which showed I owed Chrysler a balance of $839.18. I called the automated service and not only do they show an open account but that I have a payment due in June. All this on a supposedly closed account.

I then spoke to a service rep who transferred me to another rep and then to an account manager. The following is a description of this mornings trials and tribulations.

May 4, 1999

10:45 Called Chrysler's automated response system. Discovered the account that supposedly closed now had a balance of $839.00.

10:55 Told new payoff is $264.00 based on payoff given Dec 4 after 2 payments were made but not credited.

10:58 Put on hold.

11:11 She returned to say I'm not due until June, to which I stated I was not due at all that they agreed to settle the account for the $4,273.55. I quoted directly from the letter sent to me by USAA, " Chrysler Fianancial Corp accepts the settlement of $4,273.55 on the account listed below, and agrees to release the security Interest filing upon receipt of those funds". (See attachment A.) Settlement is defined as "a conclusive resolution of a matter and disposition of it".

Put on hold again. Eventually call was disconnected.

11:46 Spoke with an account manager. She said my call had been transferred to her but there was nothing she could do but allow me to vent. I tried to explain my problem but when I mention the settlement letter she stated Chrysler does not send settlement letters and she asked for the date on my letter which I gave her.

11:48 Put on hold again.

11:50 Account manager returned and stated her supervisor Mr. Moore would call me. I asked when and she said she couldn't give me a time.

Please note, I believe the letter sent by Chrysler to USAA effectively closes my account. I sent the additional money because it was the right thing to do but I refuse to continue paying money to a company whose only purpose it seems is to suck me dry. Let me explain why I feel this way.

The payment I sent in Oct was supposedly not received. This of course was after the payoff was requested. I sent in another check after essentially being called a liar by a customer service clerk. Three weeks letter the first check was cashed was also cashed. And one week after that I received a called saying they hadn't received my Nov check and they needed to do an extension.

When I pointed out that the extension was needed because Chrysler had failed to send the release of lien so the account could be paid off I was told that the two department's didn't have anything to do with each other and I had to pay it if I didn't want a 30 days past due notice put on my account. So of course I paid.

I have been talked to very rudely, told that if I didn't understand I had to be stupid, "reminiscent of RainMaker don't you think", and never notified that there was a remaining balance on my account. I guess they planned to give me the call in Jun and charge me with a late payment.

Twice I was told I would be sent a letter stating my account was closed only to be left hanging. I cannot believe the State of Maryland, or any state for that matter would allow the shenanigans Chrysler has tried to pull. Please help me bring this to a close.

Also, every dollar amount mention is documented with a date. Unfortunately for Chrysler, USAA has sent me copies of all their communications.

My credit rating will suffer if I do not pay. The emotional is more devastating. I start to tear up each time I know I will have to deal with this company again. I almost had my new car taken from me because Chrysler said I have an open account. I have dealt with fiance companies all my adult life and I have never had the things that have happened at Chrysler happen to me.

J.J. has sent a version of this letter to Maryland regulators, who we hope will take action against Chrysler, though we're not holding our breath.

Back to Chrysler Financial

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