In Metro Atlanta, Georgia, a 20-year-old man thought he was doing everything right. He bought a used 2010 BMW from a local dealership. He didn’t have any credit, but chose a company who approved him. The buyer signed up for automatic payments, and paid on time for eight straight months. But instead of building credit and independence, he woke up one day to find his car gone.

Customers say their cars are getting repossessed even though they never missed a payment

This isn’t a glitch or a misunderstanding, according to his family.

It’s a growing frustration for drivers across the Atlanta area who say they’re being targeted by questionable repossessions despite fulfilling their end of the deal.

The young buyer agreed to a punishing 34.9 % interest loan with U.S. Express Auto in Gwinnett County

According to its website and marketing, it’s one of the few places willing to finance someone with no credit history.

He paid $117 a week automatically from his bank account, a steep but steady path toward ownership.

Then three weeks ago, the dealership stopped taking the payments

Kimberly Carson, the driver’s mom, spoke publicly about the scenario. Carson said her son noticed the withdrawals had halted and immediately called the dealership to ask why.

The response, she explained, was that there were “no available funds.” She disputes the business’s claim. Bank records show the account always had more than enough money to cover the weekly charge.

Days later, the car was gone from their driveway.

The dealership declined to discuss the case

U.S. Express Auto told WSB-TV only that it “follows all contractual agreements and complies with applicable state regulations.”

On paper, that’s a legally sound defense. In practice, it’s the kind of language that often shields aggressive “buy-here, pay-here” dealers from scrutiny.

With an F rating from the Better Business Bureau and online reviews citing similar “false repossessions,” U.S. Express Auto is hardly a newcomer to controversy.

What happens next is just as troubling

The dealership told the BMW’s owner he can only get his vehicle back if he pays the full remaining balance by October 10.

Not just the missed payments…the entire loan. For most drivers, that demand turns an already unfair situation into an impossible one.

This kind of maneuver is how some dealers skirt legal consequences while still playing hardball.

By pointing to contract terms buried in the fine print, they can argue they acted within their rights even if they caused the very “default” they’re citing.

Drivers caught in this situation still have options

They can file complaints with the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, pursue action in small claims court, or seek legal advice from attorneys familiar with auto fraud and predatory lending.

Public pressure, including BBB complaints and media attention, can also push regulators to investigate.

Carson said her son was only trying to build credit and start adult life with a modest car. Instead, he learned an early lesson about a harsh corner of the used car market. While there’s no court judgement today, there’s a reason why dealerships are sometimes called “stealerships.” Time will tell if U.S. Express Auto was really doing right by its customers. That “F” rating isn’t a great look, though.