The company, Northwest Title Loans of Post Falls ID, advertises in WA; when I called the lady assured me I would be doing business with a WA registered company and my contract would be controlled by WA law but I had to go to a Post Falls Office to obtain the loan money. The promotion was for a 60 day contract with one month free interest. I lived in Spokane at the time and did not want to give up the consumer laws in my own state that protect low-income people from predatory businesses. This is the only time I have used such loan services. Later I learned from the WA Secretary of State that the company was not registered to do business in WA.
The title loan contract stated that the total cost would be m/l $1300 for a $1000 loan for 60 days but I could repay early and avoid up to $100 of the interest. I signed the contract and received $1000 on June 22. My special needs for dental care and car repairs beyond my budget caused me to take out the loan against my car.
My children sent money for me to my son who went with me to the Post Falls office to repay the loan on August 11th. He brought a certified check from his bank on his personal account and his check guarantee card. The day was a Saturday and my son was on his way out of the state on military duty. The NWTL clerk refused the check and said I would have to pay a $230 penalty for early payment on top of the $1300 if I paid before August 21st. The clerk said the payment had to be in cash or as a certified check from a list of local Idaho banks. My son went to his duty station and had his wife send me the money order as requested. I called NWTL to say I was bringing over the
check for the payoff amount and the clerk said I still had to pay a penalty fee.
After calling the Attorney General's Office in Spokane, on advice I received there, I sent 50% of the principal due and a duress (objectioned) payment for the interest claimed and no amount for a penalty, $809 on the six-week old debt for $1000, together with a request to submit the matter for mediation through the AG's services, on August 22. The next day, NWTL began calling my telephone number leaving messages 16 times or more a day and calling several of my relatives at that rate as well.
On 8/28 I received both a demand for $731 and that I sign a new extension contract for 340% interest per year. I called the NWTL office and was told to send my mediation request to a GA address [3680 Holcomb Bridge, Ste 100, Norcross GA 30092] but that no such request would be granted until I signed the new contract. I did send a registered request as directed but did not sign the contract. No answer ever came from NWTL.
In November NWTL's towing associate started calling my relatives demanding that they identify where my car was so it could be repossessed.
In December a tow truck operator went to my elderly mother's remote rural home and demanded that she tell him where my car was.
I would like very much to repay the loan principle with a lawful rate of interest such as 12% with full credit for my payments against the principle.
Please provide my name to an accredited legal service or advocate who will help me negotiate with this company to gain that goal. My income is still very low although I am an active member of the working poor and over 60 years old. My offer is to pay $260 to clear this account now.
My report is meant to support the Cheney party's report #287544 which indicated that NWTL is overreaching with its already exorbitant interest schemes and unfair to low-income persons needing short-term loans. My report shows also the intent by NWTL to lure WA residents away from the protections of their home state with false statements and advertising (e.G. An interstate fraud practice).
Thanks for this forum
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