Auto dealer causes controversy with financing claims

A used car dealership franchise in Arizona is under fire from legal experts for misleading collection practices, the Arizona Republic reports. J.D. Byrider has used debt collection firm Grace Finance to file more than 100 lawsuits seeking the money owed from customers who defaulted on auto industry financing. However, while dealership owner Robert Bartoli is accused of waiting years to contact the debtors, he'll take to court in an effort to build up higher payment amounts. The news source reports that the franchise operator would repose cars and resell them to others. Years later, the debt collection firm files a suit {against the debtors} and typically receive a default judgement due to the defendants' absence. Some are calling on lawmakers to change the rules when tracking down a debt. In an interview with the source, Tom Freestone said that it was time for the government to step in. "The Legislature needs to get involved with this next session; these are the people who are preyed upon the most," he told the source. When it comes to auto industry financing some find it difficult to keep on making payments. If one fails to pay on time it could negatively affect their credit and auto industry financing opportunities.