We obtained a loan with American General in 2006. As the result of many things (admittedly, some of them poor choices on our part), we were forced to file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. We intentionally filed a plan that provided for 100% repayment to all of our creditors. During the creditors' meeting, American General tried to convince the trustee that the car we used as collateral on our loan was far more valuable than it was (if they could do so, they would be able to charge interest - almost 29% - on the secured portion). The trustee determined the correct value, and we made all of our payments on our plan. The secured portion of the loan was paid in full in 2009; in August, we were able to pay the total balance of our Chapter 13 plan in full, including American General. Today, about two months later, I called AG on the advice of our attorney, who said the company should have already released their lien on the car securing the AG loan. I spoke to Becky in Evansville, who was extremely rude and nasty. She said according to their file we owe more than $200 than we've already paid (after refusing to directly answer the question, it became clear they were charging us interest to make up for the trustee valuing the car at the lower rate). I told her they could come pick up the car (a piece of junk) and do what they want with it, but that we would not pay any amount in excess of that ordered by the trustee. As I said, she was extremely nasty throughout the conversation (I was not with her) and spoke to me like I was some idiot who didn't understand. She also made a point of reading to me from our Chapter 13 plan - conveniently leaving out the part that basically says once they are paid they need to release the lien. Unfortunately for her, I'm not the idiot she thinks I am - I was a legal assistant in law firms for 20 years and, in fact, prepared our own plan. We'll see what the trustee says - as much as we would like to get the lien lifted and get rid of the car, it's not that big of a deal. However, if AG thinks we will be bullied to pay beyond what we've been ordered to, they have another thing coming.
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