Acting as her own attorney, a Tampa resident is suing FPR Used Auto Sales for allegedly falsifying information and forging her signature.
In the complaint filed with Hillsborough County, Leronda Douglas, 42, is requesting Paula Reid and FPR be prosecuted for falsifying information and for being “misleading with the price of the car.” The complaint was completed by Douglas Nov. 17, 2015.
On Sept. 22, 2015, Douglas went to pick out a car to transport her and her children. Upon arrival, FPR salesperson Reid, 48, greeted Douglas.
Reid informed Douglas her minimum income needed to be $800 per month to be accepted for financing. Douglas was led to believe she could include her daughter’s income on the paperwork without issue.
On Sept. 24, she went to finish the contract and take home the car. Douglas noticed the paperwork was in her daughter’s name. After Reid had fixed the paperwork, she told Douglas her monthly payments would increase by $100, from $276 to $376.
Douglas tried to read the contract, but Reid insisted it would be faster to run through it together. Reid reassured Douglas the total cost, including sales tax, title, and registration would be $11,407. When Douglas asked about another number in the paperwork, Reid told her that that was “between [Reid] and the Credit Acceptance.”
On Sept. 28, 2015, Douglas’ daughter received a call from Reid asking to have Douglas call her because her financing was rejected. Reid then resubmitted an application that falsely claimed Douglas worked for the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation. She electronically forged Douglas’ signature. Douglas claims the second contract was dated Sept. 26, 2015.
On Oct. 23, 2015, Douglas received a letter from the company that managed the financing of the vehicle, Credit Acceptance Corporation. The letter claimed that the total cost of the car would be $17,847. When Douglas called Reid about the difference in price, she requested a copy of the contract.
In a Better Business Bureau complaint filed by Douglas, she claims Paula and Fred Reid scammed her into buying the 2007 Nissan Maxima. Reid charged her for a tag that was already in her possession, she stated.
Because of Reid’s actions, Douglas is having issues with her credit.
The Maxima was repossessed Jan. 30, 2016, according to a suit filed by Credit Acceptance against Douglas. The car was later auctioned, leaving Douglas with a balance of $8,995 still owed to the company.
FPR Used Auto Sales is on Highway 92 West in Seffner.
“I want her and her husband busted and arrested,” Douglas wrote in the BBB Complaint.
