Hey Ottawa Chap, as far as I know they are only installed in financed/leased cars for location/repo purposes. I can't see them putting them in cars paid in full; it just doesn’t make sense from a cost/privacy position. I mean, if you paid for the car in full, why would they have any interest in it anymore?

Regarding location/removal of the device, that’s an interesting question I don't have the answer to that one; I would suspect it's not an easy task and a breach of the loan/lease agreement given the purpose behind of the tracking device.

Well Rich, your comment caught my attention. Just wondering if these type of devices are only installed in financed vehicles, or also vehicles that a person pays cash for, too? That said, how does a person locate and remove such a device? Ideas?

Er, what Monty said…

Glad to hear you got your belongings back, it wasn’t intended to be a lecture. It’s just some insight on how they find these vehicles scheduled for repossession. There are a lot of other people who visit Canadian Money Advisor that may find that info helpful.

It's an interesting point about the tracking device. i don't think richardc was lecturing, he was just stating the obvious.

It's hard to control things when you lose your job.

Good news that you'll be able to get your things.. Nicely done newfieschic.

Best,

duhh!! Richard..... didn't ask for a lecture, just some advise on if I am able to get my personal belongings. Not a child that needs to be told right from wrong. I lost my job and up to January I WAS up to date with my payments, but [[edited: bad language]] happens and it was choice between keeping a roof over my head and food on my table or making a car payment. Since my post this morning I have been in contact with the company that has my car and I am going to go pick up my belongings this afternoon.

If you aren't up to date on your car payments you should expect the car to be repo'd at some point. In fact almost all companies now install a tracking device in the vehicle so they can track down its location in the event you default on payments.

interesting...
the creditor / collection agent will have a list of repossessing companies they use. I'm not sure of the process... but it's probably worth a phone call to the collection department of the creditor.

Sorry to hear about that... it's a hard ship not to be able have your vehicle.

Hi:

I lost my job in January, and this passed weekend they came and repossessed my car. Without telling me prior, or even letting me know they took my car with all of my personal belongings. I can't afford the car payment..financially i am bust, but I do want the things that were in the car back. How do I go about doing that? Can I do that? I don't even know who towed it away, Please help with any advise.