DOJ Files SCRA Complaint against Credit Union

SCRA DOJ

On July 26, the DOJ filed a complaint against a Michigan-based credit union for alleged violations of the SCRA’s prohibition against motor vehicle repossession from an active-duty servicemember without a court order. Under the SCRA, a court must “review and approve a lender’s repossession of any motor vehicle owned by a servicemember if the servicemember took out the loan and made a deposit or an installment payment before entering military service.” According to the complaint, the credit union failed to, among other things, (i) establish vehicle repossession procedures that included checking the Department of Defense’s database to determine customers’ military status; (ii) implement written policies concerning compliance with the SCRA; and (iii) obtain the necessary court order to initiate and complete repossession of a motor vehicle owned by a member of the U.S. Army. The DOJ further alleges that the credit union’s conduct was “intentional, willful, and taken in disregard for the rights of servicemembers.” The complaint seeks monetary consumer relief, civil penalties, and changes to the credit union’s repossession procedures.