Repo men, also known as recovery agents, are tasked with repossessing vehicles when the owner defaults on their auto loan or lease payments. This is an important but often misunderstood process, as the repo man is simply recovering collateral for the lienholder or lessor. Repossession only occurs after multiple attempts to work with the owner and bring the account current have failed.
While movies and TV shows sometimes portray repo agents as shady characters who will stop at nothing to get your car back, the reality is that most utilize completely legal methods for locating and recovering vehicles. advanced technologies and access to vehicle records help streamline the repo process while also maintaining compliance with relevant laws.
How Do Repo Men Get Assignments?
Repo agents work for repossession companies that have contracts with auto lenders and lease companies. When a customer becomes delinquent on their auto loan or lease, the lender or lessor can assign the account to a repossession company.
The repossession company then dispatches local agents to recover the vehicle. Agents are given key information about the vehicle, owner, and loan/lease account details so they can investigate and plan the recovery.
Information provided usually includes:
- Vehicle year, make, model and VIN
- Registered owner name and address
- Lienholder/lessor name
- Date of default
- Account balance
With these basics, the repo agent can start the process of locating the vehicle.
How Do Repo Men Find Vehicle Locations?
While movies sometimes show repo men randomly searching parking lots and streets, actual agents have much more targeted methods for locating vehicles. Here are some of the approaches they use:
Registered Owner Address
The registered owner’s address on the vehicle title records is the first place a repo agent will look. Agents will visually survey the property and area to see if the vehicle is present.
If it appears the registered owner no longer lives there, the agent will try to determine if other family members may have information on the vehicle’s location.
Employment
Looking up the registered owner’s current employer can provide another location to check. Repo agents will scout employee parking areas to see if the vehicle is parked there during work hours.
Relatives & References
Repo agents will research the registered owner’s relatives and personal references listed on credit applications and other records. These individuals may have information on the vehicle’s storage location or know where the owner is currently residing.
Friends & Neighbors
Speaking with neighbors and known friends of the registered owner is another avenue for gaining intelligence. Repo agents will canvas neighborhoods and hang out at local spots to try chatting up people who may have helpful information.
Electronic Tracking
Many modern repo agents rely on electronic tracking and monitoring technology to locate vehicles:
- GPS tracking – Some auto lenders use GPS tracking devices installed on cars to monitor location. This provides real-time intelligence on vehicle location.
- Car alarm pinging – Electronic tracers can remotely activate some vehicle alarms. The alarm response helps the agent pinpoint location.
- OnStar – GM’s OnStar system allows lenders to remotely slow and stop vehicles once defaulted on. Agents can then recover the immobilized vehicle.
Stakeouts
When other methods come up dry, persistent agents will set up stakeouts of the owner’s known hangouts. Parking lots, gyms, stores and bars are surveyed during peak hours in hopes of spotting the vehicle.
How Do Repo Men Actually Repossess Vehicles?
Once agents locate the vehicle, they move on to safely repossessing it. There are several common repossession scenarios:
Public Parking
If the vehicle is found parked in a public lot, on the street, or at a commercial location, the agent can legally tow it away. A tow truck is called in to haul the vehicle to a secure holding yard.
Private Property
Repossessing a vehicle from private property like a residential driveway requires a court order. Agents will begin this process if needed, but avoid illegal trespassing.
Unoccupied and Unlocked
Many repossessions occur when the vehicle is found unoccupied and unlocked. If the agent can access the car without force or trespassing, they can legally repossess it.
Occupied
Repossession gets more difficult if the owner is present with the vehicle. Agents must avoid breaching the peace, so confrontation is prevented. They may ask for voluntary surrender of the vehicle.
Locksmith Assistance
As a last resort, agents may contract a locksmith to gain entry to locked, unoccupied vehicles found on public property. This avoids damage from forced entry.
What Happens to Repossessed Vehicles?
Once repossessed, vehicles are towed to secure holding yards where they are catalogued and stored until further action:
- If the owner quickly reinstates the loan, they may reclaim the vehicle by paying fees.
- If the loan stays in default, the lender can sell the vehicle at auto auctions to recoup losses.
- Any balance not recovered is charged off by the lender as a loss.
So in summary, repo agents use a variety of methods to locate delinquent accounts and legally recover collateral vehicles on behalf of lenders. Understanding the repossession process helps remove the mystery and stigma around this regulated industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easy to hide from repo men?
Not really. Repossession agents are skilled at tracking down vehicles using both high- and low-tech methods. Switching parking spots or garaging the vehicle might buy some time, but determined agents will eventually catch up to delinquent accounts.
Can repo men break into your house or garage?
No. Repo agents must follow relevant laws, which means they cannot trespass onto private property without a court order. If the vehicle is parked in a garage or driveway, the agent will need to start the legal process to gain recover access.
Do repo men watch your house?
It’s possible. Stakeouts are one technique agents use to try and spot a delinquent vehicle parked at a residence. But outright surveillance for long periods would be expensive and inefficient. More likely, agents periodically check locations where the vehicle might be kept.
Can you negotiate with repo men?
Yes. Many repo agents would rather resolve things amicably than engage in confrontational repossessions. They may agree to partial payments or a return time commitment in lieu of immediately impounding the vehicle. That said, their ultimate duty is to their client who hired them.
Do repo men have to tell you who hired them?
In most states, repo agents must carry a recovery license and validate who they are recovering for if asked. Refusal to identify their client or show their recovery license would be grounds for law enforcement complaint. This helps protect vehicle owners against unauthorized repossession attempts.
Avoiding Repossession
To avoid having your vehicle repossessed:
- Make sure to make payments on time – Set up autopay or payment reminders to avoid missing deadlines.
- Contact your lender if struggling – They may allow modified payment plans or deferments if contacted proactively.
- Consider selling/trading the vehicle – Unload debt obligation on the vehicle by selling or trading it.
- Reinstate the loan – Get account current by paying past due payments, late fees and related repossession costs.
- Hide the vehicle – Park offsite, disable OnStar or use covers to conceal. This only delays inevitable.
The most responsible option is keeping your account current or working with your lender early on if struggling to make payments. Ignoring the situation will only lead to more headaches and financial damage down the road.
Conclusion
Repo men have access to advanced resources for locating delinquent vehicles, making it hard to avoid detection for long. Reinstating loans or voluntary surrender of the vehicle is preferable to a confrontational involuntary repossession.
Understanding the repo process helps remove misconceptions about the industry. When utilized properly, regulated repossession provides fair collateral recovery to lenders and lessors without unduly harming consumers.