Q: WHAT IS NOT A 'REPOSSESSION AGENCY' AS DEFINED BY THE STATE OF CA?

A: The following are exempt from the definition of a "repossession agency". 1. Banks 2. Licensed lending institutions 3 Attorneys performing legal duties 4. Legal owners of collateral which is subject to a security agreement 5. Federal, state or municipal officers or employees performing official duties. 6. Persons employed exclusively and regularly by one employer in connection with the affairs of that employer only and where thee exists an employer/employee relationship. [B & P 7500.30]

Q: WHO MAY LEGALLY UNDERTAKE REPOSSESSION ASSIGNMENTS?

A: Unless exempted pursuant to B & P Code 7500.3, only persons holding a valid repossession Agency license or registration, issued by the State of California, may engage in the activities of a repossession agency. [B & P 7500.3]

Q: MAY A TOW SERVICE, AUTO DRIVEAWAY SERVICE OR TRANSPORT COMPANY NOT SPECIFICALLY LICENSED AS A 'REPOSSESSION AGENCY' REPOSSESS COLLATERAL VOLUNTARILY OR INVOLUNTARILY?

A: No. These businesses are NOT exempt under B & P Code 7500.3 and would therefore be In violation relating to unlicensed activity. Violators are subject to fines of $5000 and/or One year in the county jail. [B & P 7502 and 7502.1]

Q: HOW MAY IT BE DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT A PERSON OR AGENCY HOLDS A VALID LICENSE?

A: Any person may contact the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services at 400 'R' Street, Suite 3080, Sacramento, CA 95815, (916) 445-7724, to determine if a person or agency is licensed.

Q: MAY UNLICENSED REPOSSESSION ACTIVITY BE PENALIZED?

A: Yes. Any person who engages in repossession activity (other than a licensed repossessor), Is guilty of a misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine of $5000 or by imprisonment in the County jail for not more than one year, or both. [B & P 7502.1(a)]

Q: MAY A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION BE PENALIZED FOR USING AN UNLICENSED REPOSSESSION AGENCY OR PERSON?

A: Yes. Any person who knowingly engages an unlicensed repossession agency or person to Repossess personal property is guilty of a misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine of $5000 or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both. [B & P 7502.2]

Q: AT WHAT POINT HAS A MOTOR VEHICLE BEEN LEGALLY REPOSSESSED?

A: With regard to collateral subject to registration under the Vehicle Code, a repossession occurs When the repossessor gains entry to the collateral, or when the collateral becomes connected To a tow truck. [B & P 7507.12]

Q: MAY A REPOSSESSOR LAWFULLY ENTER ANY AREA FOR PURPOSES OF REPOSSESSION?

A: Yes, with the exception of a private building which means and includes any dwelling, outbuilding Or other enclosed structure. A secured area which means and includes any fenced and locked area. Entry into these areas with the consent of the owner or person in legal possession is permissible. [B & P 7508.2]

Q: WHEN MAY A VEHICLE SECURED BY A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT BE REPOSSESSED?

A: Normally, only when the buyer has defaulted in the performance of any obligation under the contract. Ordinarily a default occurs when an installment payment is delinquent. However, if The consumer is required by the contract to maintain insurance, a failure to do so may constitute A default, allowing the collateral to be jeopardized. [CC 2883.3]

Q: IS POLICE/SHERIFF REPORT REQUIRED PRIOR TO AN ATTEMPTED REPOSSESSION?

A: No. Some jurisdictions however, request a courtesy call prior to a repossession t eliminate the possibility of a repossessor being stopped at gunpoint in the event someone telephones in a report of a stolen vehicle or a prowler.

Q: IS A POLICE/SHERIFF REPORT REQUIRED ON 'ALL' REPOSSESSIONS?

A: Yes. Whenever possession is taken of any vehicle, or other collateral which is subject to registration by the Department of Motor Vehicles, by or on behalf of any legal owner, the person taking possession shall immediately notify, by the most expeditious means available, the city police department where such taking of possession occurred, if within an incorporated city, or the sheriff's department of the county where such taking of possession occurred, if outside an incorporated city, and shall within one business day forward a written notice to such department. [VC 28] Any person failing to notify the city police department, sheriff's department or campus police department as required by this section is guilty of an infraction and shall be fined a minimum of $300 and up to $500. The district attorney, city attorney or city prosecutor shall promptly notify the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services of any conviction resulting from a violation of this section. (VC Code 28)

Q: MAY A LICENSED REPOSSESSOR ACCEPT AN ASSIGNMENT TO REPOSSESS FROM A REGISTERED OWNER?

A: YES. Assignment also means an authorization by the registered owner to recover collateral registered under the Vehicle Code where an employer/employee relationship exists or existed between the registered owner and the possessor of the property and the possessor is wrongfully in possession of the property. [B & P Code 7500.1(o)]

Q: MUST LICENSEES MAKE CONDITION REPORTS OF REPOSSESSIONS?

A: YES. Repossession agencies are required to keep and maintain adequate records of all transactions including condition reports reflecting the condition of a vehicle at the time of repossession and its odometer reading. [B & P Code 7507.3]

Q: WHAT IS TO BE DONE WITH PERSONAL EFFECTS OR OTHER PESONAL PROPERTY?

A: At the time it is recovered, personal property shall be removed and a complete and accurate inventory shall be made. Said items shall be securely stored for a minimum of 60 days. It is required that the repossession agency notify the consumer of this inventory by written notice or by personal service within time limits prescribed by law. [B & P Code 7507.9]

Q: WHAT IS TO BE DONE WITH DEADLY WEAPONS CONTAINED IN COLLATERAL AT THE TIME OF REPOSSESSION?

A: Deadly weapons and dangerous drugs shall be turned over to a local law enforcement agency for retention. These items shall be entered on the inventory and a notation shall be made as to the date, time and place the deadly weapon or dangerous drug was turned over to the law enforcement agency. A receipt from the law enforcement agency shall be maintained in the records of the repossession agency. [B & P 7507.9(b)1]

Q: WHAT IS TO BE DONE WITH COMBUSTIBLES AFTER BEING REMOVED FROM THE REPOSSESSION?

A: Combustibles shall be inventoried and noted as "disposed of, dangerous combustible" and disposed of in a reasonable and safe manner. [Business & Professions Code 7507.9(b)2]

Q: MAY A REPOSSESSION AGENCY CHARGE A FEE FOR INVENTORY AND STORAGE OF PERSONAL EFFECTS FOUND IN A REPOSSESSION?

A: Yes. A licensee may charge the debtor for storing personal effects since B & P Code 7507.9 and 9(d) states in part, "The inventory shall include . . . an itemization of all personal effect removal and storage charges that will be made by the repossession agency." A licensee may not charge a legal owner for removal or storage of personal effects unless specifically agreed to by the legal owner. [B & P Code 7507.5]

Q: IS IT A CRIME TO CONCEAL A MOTOR VEHICLE OR OTHER COLLATERAL?

A: Yes. Any person in possession of collateral who conceals property with the intent to defraud a creditor may be guilty of a felony. [PC 154, 504a or 538]

Q: WHEN A VEHICLE HAS BEEN IMPOUNDED BY A PUBLIC AGENCY, WHO SHOULD NOTIFY THE LEGALOWNER?

A: Within 48 hours of the storage, unless the vehicle is in a vehicle abatement program, or abandoned, the public agency is required to notify both legal and registered owners. [Vehicle Code 22852(a),(b)] The tow company is required to notify by certified mail the legal owner by the sixteenth day of possession or storage fees are limited on private or public agency impounds. [VC 10652-5(a),(b),(c),(d)]

Q: WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT A REPAIR GARAGE MAY CHARGE ON A REPAIR OR STORAGE TO A LEGAL OWNER?

A: On work or services performed, up to $1,500.00 is allowed and the garage must have permission from the legal owner to exceed that amount. [Civil Code 3068(c) Storage is allowed up to $1,250.00 if the legal owner was notified by a lien sale filed by the 16th day of possession If storage fees are charged and if legal owner is not notified via lien sale, storage is limited to $1,025.00. [Vehicle Code 10652.5 and Civil Code 307(j) through 3072(h)]

Q: ARE THERE ANY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS WHEN A VEHICLE IS STORED IN A PRIVATE BUILDING?

A: Yes. Every person other than the keeper of a garage renting any private building used as a private garage or space therein for the storage of a vehicle of a type subject to registration under this code, when the agreement to rent includes only the building or space therein, shall, within 24 hours after the vehicle is stored therein, report such fact together with the name of the tenant and a description of the vehicle, including the name or make, the VIN and the license number to the sheriff's office of the county or the police department of the city wherein the building is located. "Private garage" as used in this section does not include a public warehouse or public garage. [VC 10654]

Q: WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO A TOW COMPANY IF THE LEGAL OWNER IS NOT NOTIFIED?

A: Under Civil Code Section 3070, a legal owner has a right to accuse the tow company of "improperly causing a vehicle to be towed" if the tow company tries to collect storage over 15 days when VC 10652.5 is violated. A notice must be sent to the legal owner by the 16th day of possession in order to collect over 15 days of storage fees. [Civil Code 3070(d1), (d2), (A)]

Q: ARE THERE LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF DAYS STORAGE THAT CAN BE CHARGED BY LIEN HOLDERS?

A: Yes. Civil Code 3068.1 limits public agency and private tows to a certain number of days chargeable for storage. A vehicle under $4000.00 in value shall not accrue storage charges beyond the 15th day unless lien sale proceedings have commenced. If the lien is filed by the 15th day of possession, the storage is limited to 60 days. This would include a required notice to be signed by the legal owner before the 16th day of possession. [VC 10652.5] A vehIcle with a value over $4000.00, the lien sale shall commence by the 30th day of storage and allowing the storing party to collect for storage up to 120 days. If the lien sale commenced after 30 days-60 days of storage, then Vehicle Code 10652.5 applies and the storing party may only collect up to the 16th day of storage.

Q: MAY A REPOSSESSOR'S TOW VEHICLE BE CITED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR VIOLATIONS OF VEHICLE CODE SECTIONS 25253(A), 27700, OR 27907, WHICH PERTAIN TO A TOW TRUCK?

A: No. Vehicle code sections 615(a) and (b) [Definitions of tow trucks] states a 'tow truck' does not include a Repossessor's tow vehicle.

Q: MUST A REPOSSESSOR'S TOW TRUCK BE EQUIPPED WITH SIGNS ON THE DOOR OF THE TRUCK AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS?

A: No, "A person licensed as a repossession agency pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 7500) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, or a registered employee of the agency, may use the license number issued to the agency by the Department of Consumer Affairs in lieu of a name, business address, and telephone number." [VC 27907]

Q: MAY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FORCE A REPOSSESSOR TO GIVE UP POSSESSION OF AN AUTOMOBILE OR PROPERTY?

A: Law enforcement officers may not advance or hinder repossessions. Because they are acting under "color of state law," they may no more force a debtor to surrender a car than they may, after a car has been repossessed, force the repossessor to return it. Without a court order, both things violate the "due process" requirements of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1, § 13 and 15 of the California Constitution.

Q: SHOULD A REPOSSESSOR HAVE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ACCOMPANY THEM ON A REPOSSESSION?

A: Self-help repossession provisions of UCC 9-503 do not violate the Fourteenth Amendment if it is the conduct of a private individual dealing with a private individual. However, the presence of a police officer or a patrol car accompanying a repossessor has been found by several courts to constitute "color of law" and has taken the repossession out of the area of "purely private conduct without state assistance." Do not take a sheriff or police officer out on a self-help repossession.

Q: MUST A DEBTOR PAY A FEE TO A POLICE/SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEY CAN BE ALLOWED TO REDEEM A REPOSSESSED VEHICLE?

A: Yes, pursuant to Government Code Sections 26751 and 41612. This fee is not the obligation of the lien holder or repossessor.

Q: IS A REPOSSESSED VEHICLE EXEMPT FROM CURRENT REGISTRATION?

A: A vehicle repossessed pursuant to the terms of a security agreement is exempt from the registration solely for the purpose of transporting the vehicle from the point of repossession to the storage facilities of the repossessor, and from the storage facilities to the legal owner of a licensed motor vehicle auction provided that the repossessor transports with the vehicle the appropriate documents authorizing the repossession and makes them available to a law enforcement officer on request. [VC 4022]

Q: DOES THE MANDATORY 30 DAY VEHICLE IMPOUNDMENT FOR DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED, REVOKED OR INVALID LICENSE APPLY TO THE LEGAL OWNER?

A: No. A legal owner or its agent may obtain a release from impoundment prior to the 30 days if they meet three conditions: 1) They are legally operating in this state; 2) They pay all towing & storage fees related to the seizure of this vehicle; 3) provide foreclosure document or affidavit of repossession. [VC 14602.6(f)(3)]

Q: SHOULD A LEGAL OWNER HAVE A COPY OF THE REPOSSESSOR'S STATE ISSUED LICENSE NUMBER ON FILE PRIOR TO ASSIGNING AN ACCOUNT TO THEM?

A: Although it is not required by law, it would provide a positive defense to any allegation of having assigned an account to a nonexempt unlicensed person in violation of Business and Professional Code section 7502.2 which is punishable by a fine of $5,000.00.

Q: IS POSSESSION, BY A REPOSSESSOR, OF EQUIPMENT DESCRIBED AS 'BURGLARY TOOLS', AND VEHICLE OR WHEEL LOCK MASTER KEYS [AS DEFINED BY SECTIONS 466 AND 466.5 OF THE CALIFORNIA ENAL CODE], PROHIBITED BY LAW?

A:Those sections specify that possession with the "intent feloniously to break or enter any building or vehicle" is a misdemeanor, and that possession of vehicle master keys with the intent to use them "in the commission of an unlawful act" is a misdemeanor. Tools used by repossessors are "tools of the trade" and are legally possessed without any intent to commit a crime.

Q: MAY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COLLECT AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE FROM A LEGAL OWNER OR THEIR AGENT, TO RELEASE IMPOUNDED COLLATERAL?

A: No. Effective on January 1, 2000 the administrative fee may be collected only from the registered owner or agent of said registered owner. (VC 22850.5(b)(2)