Bank One auto lease scam

McKinney, Texas – Auto Lease Termination

My wife and I were near the completion of our Toyota 4Runner lease financed through Bank One and originally brokered through D & M Leasing. The SUV was well maintained, no damage outside normal wear and tear (door nicks, etc.), the interior was clean, etc. I had 2 months to go plus responsibility for a termination fee.

We leased a new 4Runner from a local Texas dealer in a painless transaction. Several weeks later, after I was certain that Bank One was prepared to pickup the SUV, I dropped it off at the dealership with the keys. Inasmuch as I have never had a bad experience with terminating a lease or turning in a vehicle, I took no witnesses, no pictures and did not think much about it. I expected a bill for $1,194. Yesterday, I received a bill for $3,184! Part of the bill listed the “wear and tear” charges. I was billed for a dash cluster, dash panel and odometer! All of those things were there when it was dropped off at the dealer for pickup. It’s funny how they all vanished after that. In addition, I got billed for dings and dents that did simply did not exist. This is a scam—pure and simple.

I have refused to pay the scam bill, and am preparing to file a complaint with the Attorney General in Texas.