Can an auto lender threaten you with arrest?
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Can an auto lender threaten you with arrest?
I returned a vehicle back to a buy here/pay here car lot on 03/09. I and received a letter from them dated the 03/12 but I did not receive it until 03/18. One of the door panels was off but placed in the inside of the van. When they picked the van up it had a spare tire on it. They are now claiming that the van was ripped apart from the inside out. They are requesting my insurance info so that they can fix the damages with in 10 days or else they are going to issue a criminal warrant for my arrest. What can I do about this?
Asked on March 21, 2011 under Criminal Law, Tennessee
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
You need to file a complaint with the agency who regulates the buy here/pay here, which is usually your department of financial institutions. Contact your insurance company, explain what is going on and give your side in writing before you do anything else. If you indeed do the damage, look at your paperwork to determine if you bear in any liability for such damage. If the damage pre-existed, then you have a possible out. Make sure this entity is licensed to be a buy here/pay here lender and seller of motor vehicles. If it is not, it may be your way out of this. In terms of issuing a criminal warrant, there has to be probable cause for a warrant for arrest and it is law enforcement who does that, not the company.
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