A Jacksonville driver had not reached his first payment date when his recently purchased GMC Yukon was repossessed. In an Oct. 22 report, First Coast News examined how an unpaid lien left him without the SUV less than a month after buying it.
The loss reached beyond his family’s transportation. His wallet, driver’s license, debit card, and work badge were inside the Yukon when it was taken from his driveway.
He had bought the used 2019 model from Duval Ford on Sept. 10 as a family upgrade and an early birthday present. His first payment was not due until Oct. 25, he said.
On the evening of Oct. 6, he finished work and noticed the SUV was missing. His keys were still in the house, and his son, the only other person who drove it, was in his room.
“I went into full panic mode thinking somebody stole my truck,” he said.
Checking the Paperwork
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A call to 911 led to an explanation he had not expected. An officer checked the vehicle identification number and found a report that the Yukon had been repossessed, the buyer recounted.
Santander Consumer, the lender responsible for the repossession, told First Coast News reporter Anthony Austin that a valid lien on the SUV had not been satisfied. Duval Ford had not repossessed the vehicle.
The dealership told Austin it had been “the victim of fraud which then caused an inconvenience to a customer.” Its representatives said they had contacted law enforcement but could not share all the details about the fraud they described.
After the interview, the buyer received all his belongings and another SUV from Duval Ford. He expressed satisfaction with how the dealership treated him and resolved the problem.
Before Signing
Santander also urged used-car shoppers to get a vehicle history report, check that the title matches the most recently issued version, and verify that outstanding liens have been resolved. For private sales, it warned against relying on a bill of sale alone.
Florida also recognizes electronic titles. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles explains that these titles exist in its database and are just as legal as paper titles. Lien notices and releases can be sent electronically between the department and the lender.