I have been on Social Security Disability since December of 2005. In 2008 I attempted to return to the workforce. In order to work, I had to have a car. My credit is very bad so I had to look at the Buy-Here-Pay-Here type car dealers. JD Byrider "seemed" to have the best deal. My CNAC account manager's name is Jesus. He would call me the day before every time a payment was due. Yes the interest was high and I had to pay a down payment of $1, 355.00; my car payment was set up to be $161.85 bi-weekly and Jesus moved my monthly expense numbers around to make it look (on paper) like I could afford this amount. CNAC would deduct 94 bi-weekly payments from my checking account.
So, not really having a choice (due to credit issues) I purchased a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier for $11, 403.13 from which CNAC deducted the "down payment" from for a total of $10, 048.13 plus finance charges putting the total sale price of the vehicle at $16, 568.90. This vehicle is nowhere near worth that much. Kelly Blue Book puts the car's value at $4, 880.00 for a vehicle in excellent condition. This vehicle had damage to right rear bumper and right rear quarter panel, as well as, numerous other dings, dents, and scratches. The car was only in fair condition.
As I stated earlier, I was attempting to return to the workforce. In August of 2008 I got a position with a company that provided behavioral health services. I was only able to hold this job for 5 1/2 months before I had to quit due to my disability. In March 2009 I attempted to work in an office setting which had been my work history experience. I was only able to hold this job for 2 months. As a result of my disability I cannot work. I called CNAC and spoke with Jesus, informing him I was not working and could no longer afford to pay for the car nor the car insurance and wanted them to send someone to pick it up. Jesus refused to send someone to come pick the car up. After numerous attempts to explain my situation, CNAC agreed to take the car back, but only if I brought it in to CNAC. Again, I should have known better. I took the car in; I explained the situation again to Jesus. He would not take the keys to the car so I asked for his supervisor. The supervisor finally came into the office after making me wait about 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour. I attempted to explain the situation yet one more time. He threatened wage garnishment; I reminded him I was on Social Security Disability and that they could not garnish that income. He said this would hurt my credit. I explained that as of right now, my credit was the last thing I was worried about and that I needed to be able to pay my rent and buy food for my family. We went back and forth with this then the supervisor stated that if I would attempt to find a job, they would "hold" the car for me, regardless of my insistence that I would no longer be able to afford the car.
I did attempt to obtain a job but was not successful and all this activity was doing was adding more emotional stress and anxiety which interfered with my disability. Jesus has called me at least twice a week asking if I had found a job yet. I had to keep telling him over and over again; no I had not found a job. He would even go so far as to suggest places where he thought I could get a job. He stated he had also discussed my situation with his wife (which is illegal according to privacy laws) and that she gave him a suggestion of where I might be able to find a job. This is extremely inexcusable.
I have discussed this entire situation with my Case Manager, my Psychiatrist, and my Therapist. All have directed me to no longer accept the phone calls from CNAC; to write CNAC a definitive letter stating that what they are doing is harassment and that due to my disability I cannot work, and that since CNAC already has the car they are NOT to call again. Along with this letter, I am filing complaints with the BBB and other web sites where others have submitted similar complaints.