There are few things more stressful than buying a used car, especially when you are trying to provide for our large family. Unfortunately, what should have been a standard car purchase turned into an absolute nightmare for one Michigan mother of five.
Toria Clay recently found herself completely without a vehicle after Wixom Motors, a local dealership that recently closed its doors due to bankruptcy, allegedly changed her loan contract and forged her signature. The situation serves as a massive warning to used car buyers everywhere about the dangers of shady financing practices.
The issue began in August when Clay visited Wixom Motors to purchase a reliable family vehicle to get her kids to school and sports practices. She agreed to purchase a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox for $14,000. However, the red flags started waving almost the second she drove off the lot.
Within just a month, the vehicle experienced a huge mechanical failure.
“All my brakes went out one night while I was going to pick my daughter up from work with two of my other children in the car,” Clay told WDIV4.
Terrified, she immediately contacted the dealership for help, only to find out they had shut down entirely.
The Forged Contract Revealed
With a broken SUV and a closed dealership, the situation went from bad to worse. Clay reached out to the financing company handling her loan, who informed her that they were completely unaware that Wixom Motors had shut down. They then sent her a copy of the contract they had on file.
The numbers didn’t match. The loan amount on file with the finance company had been increased by approximately $5,000 more than what she had originally agreed to pay. To make matters worse, the electronic signature on the paperwork was completely forged.
“This paperwork, sheets Toria had never seen, is dated August 19. That’s three days after she bought the car and signed her paperwork,” local reporters confirmed.
Because the contract was not legally binding under Michigan law, and with the car requiring expensive repairs she couldn’t afford, Clay made the difficult decision to voluntarily surrender the vehicle.
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How to Protect Yourself at the Dealership
While the owner of Wixom Motors claimed bankruptcy forced the closure in November, consumers like Clay are the ones left paying the price.
“I would just tell him how disgusting he is and how it is totally unfair that you feel like you can take the easy road by scamming people,” Clay said.
To avoid falling victim to a similar financing scam, always demand physical or digital copies of your signed contract before leaving the lot. Also, follow up with your specific loan provider within 48 hours to confirm the exact principal amount they have on file perfectly matches the paperwork in your hand. If you suspect fraud, reach out to your local consumer protection help desk or the state attorney general immediately.
