Consumer Alert
What to do if you can’t make car payments
Trouble making car payments? Worried about repossession? Unexpected life events, like a job loss or drop in income, may affect your ability to pay your bills, including car payments. If you’re worried that you won’t be able to make your next car payment, take action as soon as possible. If you get behind on your payments, your lender could repossess your car — sometimes without warning. Read on to learn what to do.
- Contact your lender now. Don’t wait for the company to repossess your car. Many lenders will work with customers if they think you’ll be able to pay soon, even if the payments are slightly late. If your lender agrees to any changes, make sure you have them in writing for later.
- Find out what rights you have in your state. Check with your State Attorney General. States have their own rules about how cars can be repossessed and what happens after.
- See if you can refinance your loan. This could make sense if a lower interest rate or longer loan could make your car payment doable. Be aware that a longer loan with reduced payments could help your current situation but also could increase your total costs. Make sure you refinance with a credible lender or company.
But whatever you do, don’t try to avoid the problem by doing nothing. Even if you have to miss a payment, don’t be afraid to talk to your lender to learn about your options. Taking action early may help you limit or avoid paying more fees. A repossession could make it harder and more costly to get credit in the future. And you might be on the hook for any difference between what your lender gets for selling the car and what you still owe on it, plus any fees related to the repossession.
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For more information about how to tackle common money issues head-on, visit ftc.gov/MoneyMatters.
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We tried those options and it got us nowhere. They didn’t want to work with us, I was the co-signer, so they repossessed instead. Even though his hours were cut and I was not working.
In reply to We tried those options and… by Jean
These are hard times in our country now. We must be extremely careful in borrowing. It is a shame that people need their auto for travel, for work. I always recommend that people get financing from your bank if anyway possible . They will usually work with the borrower. Good luck
In reply to We tried those options and… by Jean
Yes they say they're going to help in these ads, but it's not true! No people are losing their jobs , our country is getting worse by the minute!!!!12/1/2023, it's all been happening since Biden became pres., so so sad Our America 🇺🇸 is falling apart. 😢 🙏🏼🫶
In reply to We tried those options and… by Jean
Government does not care about anyones problems. All government wants is more money!
The link to the State Attorney General is for Attorneys. Was this meant to be a resource for a person experiencing a repossession? It was of no assistance.
There are lenders who specialise in car loans to desperate people with high interest and are happy to repo the car and sell it again. Either way they win. Dont buy more car than you can afford
Hello,
Very timely information, due to the fact that inflation has definitely become a burden on many senior citizens.
Gratefully Consumer101
I have not paid the car installment, what should I do, please help me, good luck, and thank you, please pay attention
I was wondering where one might go to find help regarding automobile airbag issues or concerns ? I've been trying and waiting now for about 9 or 10 months. It's humiliating as a consumer to just be ignored like this.