Forged signature on hp agreement

[Jon boy]

Hi. I purchased a used car from a dealer on Hp. I applied for finance over 4 years. Unfortunately the dealer ot finance from their company over 5 years at a much higher interest rate, rather than telling me, the sales rep tried to copy my signature from my driving licence ( a very bad attempt) it has taken me 2 months to get a copy of the agreement from the dealership. On receiving the documents I contacted the finance company to advise them the signatures on the credit agreement and direct debit mandate was not mine. They told me they will look in to it. Unfortunately this was a month ago and I am still no further forward. What should I do next. The direct debit has been cancelled and I am still making the monthly payment via bacs

[Aged William]

You allege an offence of forgery, so have you considered reporting it to the police?

[Jon boy]

Reporting it to the police was something I am considering, just don't think the police would do anything about it.

[Aged William]

You don't know if you don't try.

https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-the-police

[Jon boy]

Yes you are right. Thanks for the link. Will report it today.

[R0b]

As this is a serious allegation, you should really keep everything in writing moving forward. If you have nothing from the finance company, send a follow up in writing and explaining the seriousness of the allegation and you expect a prompt reply since it has been over a month without contact.

You also need to decide what you want as a resolution. If proven, fraud could allow you to rescind the contract completely or if you are happy with the contract then you could ask them to amend the contract os that the length is 4 years and your monthly payments would need to be adjusted.

What has the dealership said about all of this, are they denying it? Does the person still work there?

[Jon boy]

Talked with the finance company today. they feel the signature was not forged but they are looking in to the possibility of replacing the agreement with a new one set out to the terms and rates of the origenal preposal. They have admitted a mistake was made by the dealership, who is now talking with there head office to have a new agreement drawn up on the correct terms and rate. I will confirmiin writing with the finance company that this outcome would be satisfactory. Let's just hope they come through.

[R0b]

Hmm I know finance companies and they aren't ones to just roll over like that so it sounds like they're trying to save face.. can't imagine it would look good for their image or the dealerships if they were to go to court having to defend a forged signature, if it really is different to your usual. Either that or they're being really generous on this rare occasion.

Anyhow, do check that the terms and rates are the same as agreed before because it wouldn't surprise me if they tried it on giving you a higher rate of interest or extra charges because its a shorter agreement than before - that would be really ballsy of the dealership/finance company.

[Jon boy]

Well the finance company has decided the signature wasn't forged however, they have admitted the agreement isn't in line with the original proposal. They have been talking with the dealer who has agreed to pay the finance company to end the Hp agreement and offer me a new hp agreement with another company in line with the original proposal ( decent interest rate and over 48month rather than 60 months. I have agreed to this and have received a new proposal in line with this. The Hp agreement on the car has now been cancelled and all payments made has been refunded to me....... All I have to do now is signed the new agreement!!..... I may take my time... Lol.... Thank you everyone for your advice.