In 2015, the CFPB ordered auto lender Westlake Services to compensate its customers $44.1 million and pay “a $4.25 million civil penalty,” alleging Westlake had deceived its “customers and falsely [threatened] criminal prosecution.” The CFPB also alleged Westlake had contacted their “borrowers’ employers, friends and family members without permission.”

• Westlake Services is a “Los Angeles-based auto lender. Wilshire Consumer Credit is a subsidiary of Westlake Services.” [Josh Boak, “Auto lender fined $48 million for deceiving customers,” Associated Press, 10/01/15]

• The CFPB found that employees of both companies “masked their identities when phoning borrowers, faking calls from pizza delivery shops, florists and family members. Beginning in 2010 through the middle of last year, the companies falsely told borrowers they faced criminal charges, pressuring them into making urgent payments to avoid an investigation.” They were also accused of contacting “borrowers’ employers, friends and family members without permission, implying to them that the borrowers were behind on loan payments and that their vehicles would be repossessed in addition to the risk of criminal charges.” [Josh Boak, “Auto lender fined $48 million for deceiving customers,” Associated Press, 10/01/15]

• The CFPB “ordered Westlake and its subsidiary to provide customers with $44.1 million in cash relief and balance reductions” and pay “a $4.25 million civil penalty.” [Josh Boak, “Auto lender fined $48 million for deceiving customers,” Associated Press, 10/01/15]