Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/21/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am writing to you under the provisions of 15 U.S.C Section **** and 15 U.S.C Section **** to address a matter concerning the reporting of my personal information.Under Section ****, I am not providing my explicit consent for HELM ASSOCIATES to report nonpublic personal information, specifically related to the negotiation and fulfillment of an account # C362, Additionally, Section **** of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) emphasizes the accuracy and fairness of credit reporting, and I am requesting the immediate deletion of the aforementioned account from my credit report.The account in question has been successfully negotiated and fulfilled, and as such, it is imperative that HELM ASSOCIATES ensures the accuracy of the information reported in compliance with Section ****. I trust that the BBB will handle this matter with the diligence required by the *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/15/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My car was considered a “Total Loss” after car accident (11-13-2022). The company received payment without my signature for “Vehicle Release” (2/2023). They took the entire settlement before negotiations between I and the insurance company, put it towards my loan balance ($11,000) totaling over $8,000 leaving a balance of $3,000. My loan status at the time was NEVER behind/late in payment but now my credit report reflects 3 months of late payments. I was told the bank loan had “Gap Insurance” that would take care of the remaining balance resulting in the loan as paid in full. This negligence has caused my credit score to drop significantly. I need Helms to fix this entire problem ( Credit payment history, loan account status & payment). The company not only still has my account open, they added to the loan’s original amount.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/13/2023

  June 2, 2023
  On November 21st 2022, we received a call from ***** Insurance w/ **** ***** on the line to advise that the vehicle listed below was involved in an accident and had been deemed a TOTAL LOSS. *** ***** communicated to the insurance adjuster that she did not want them to release the full payment to Helm Associates. She wanted them to release ½ of settlement to her so that she could purchase another vehicle. 
  It was explained to her in detail why this would not be possible. The settlement amount, which was $8282.09, was not enough to cover the full balance of the loan. There was still a remaining balance of $4053.43 but because she had Debt Cancellation, she would only be required to pay $500 of that balance and the account would be closed as PAID IN FULL. This would release her of any financial responsibility to Helm Associates so she would be free and clear to purchase another vehicle. She did not care. She said she would need the money for a down payment on another vehicle. 
  I then reached out to **** ***** (GM) to advise him of the situation. He instructed me to have her come into the dealership to discuss getting into another vehicle. Unfortunately, we were not able to approve her for financing because she is a delivery driver, ****, ****, etc. that uses her own personal vehicle for commercial work. This goes against company policy. Without other means of income, she did not meet the income requirement for financing. 

  At this point, we had no other options to offer her. She was very upset and stated that she would not sign the POA document to release the settlement to Helm Associates unless we agreed to give her half of the money.  This back and forth went over the next few months. 

  On 1/25/23, I received a call from ***** at ***** Insurance stating that they had been trying to get in touch with *** ***** for quite a while, but she has not responded. I advised that all our attempts were unsuccessful as well. She explained that the only other alternative would be to file for a Repo Title. This would allow ***** to release the settlement check to Helm Associates. I then reached out to ******** ****** to start the process. The title was mailed to ***** Salvage Dept on 3/16/23 and delivered on 3/17/23. We receive settlement check on 3/24/23. We have not heard from **** ***** at all. 
  TAG #: ***-***
  VIN #: *****************
  CAR INFO: 2011 ****** ******
  
  

  Sincerely,
  Administrative Executor of Consumer Affairs