Auto Truck Group explained

Auto Truck Group is a debt collection agency that buys unpaid debts from lenders, car dealerships, and finance companies — usually car loans and truck financing that have gone into default. When you stop making payments on an auto loan, the lender may sell that debt to Auto Truck Group, which then attempts to collect the money you owe. This is a legal business practice, but it means a new company now owns your debt and will contact you about payment.

The company operates across multiple states and handles thousands of accounts. If you receive a letter or call from Auto Truck Group, it means your account has been transferred to them for collection. This does not change what you owe — it changes who you owe it to and who has the right to pursue collection actions against you.

Key Takeaways

  • Auto Truck Group is a debt collector that purchases defaulted auto loans from lenders and attempts to collect the debt from borrowers.
  • A debt sale to a collection agency does not erase your debt or change the amount owed, but it does change who contacts you and who can take legal action.
  • You have the right to request written proof that Auto Truck Group owns your debt before you make any payment or agreement.
  • Debt collection accounts appear on your credit report and can lower your credit score, but the impact lessens over time and the account eventually falls off.

How your debt ends up with a collection agency

When you finance a vehicle through a dealership, bank, or credit union, you sign a loan agreement. If you miss payments — typically after 90 to 120 days of non-payment — the lender marks your account as in default. At that point, the lender has two choices: pursue collection themselves or sell the debt to a third-party collector like Auto Truck Group.

Selling the debt is cheaper for the lender than continuing collection efforts. Auto Truck Group buys the debt at a discount (often for pennies on the dollar) and then attempts to collect the full amount from you. The original lender is usually out of the picture once the sale is complete, though your original loan agreement still governs what you legally owe.

This transfer happens without your permission, but it is not illegal. The lender has the right to sell your debt. You will typically receive a letter notifying you of the transfer, though some borrowers do not receive notice until Auto Truck Group contacts them directly.

What Auto Truck Group can and cannot do

Auto Truck Group operates under federal law, specifically the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This law sets strict limits on how collectors can contact you and what they can say. They cannot call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone. They cannot call your workplace if your employer forbids it. They cannot threaten you, use profanity, or harass you with repeated calls.

Auto Truck Group can contact you by phone, mail, or email. They can discuss your debt with you and attempt to negotiate a payment plan. They can also file a lawsuit against you if you do not respond or reach an agreement — this is a legal action that can result in a judgment against you, wage garnishment, or bank account levies, depending on your state's laws.

What they cannot do is collect more than you legally owe, threaten you with arrest, or claim they represent the government. If Auto Truck Group violates the FDCPA, you have the right to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or sue the collector for damages.

How a collection account affects your credit report

When Auto Truck Group acquires your debt, they report it to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This appears on your credit report as a collection account, which significantly lowers your credit score. The damage is when ready and substantial — a collection account can drop your score by 50 to 100 points or more, depending on your starting score and credit history.

The collection account remains on your credit report for seven years from the date of first default with the original lender, not from the date Auto Truck Group purchased it. This means even if you pay Auto Truck Group in full today, the account will still appear on your report for the full seven-year period. However, the impact on your score decreases over time, especially if you make no other negative marks.

Lenders view collection accounts as a sign of serious financial trouble. This makes it harder to get approved for new credit, and if you are approved, you will likely face higher interest rates. Some employers and landlords also check credit reports, so a collection account can affect housing and job prospects in some cases.

Your options when contacted by Auto Truck Group

If Auto Truck Group contacts you, you have several paths forward. First, you can request written verification of the debt. Under the FDCPA, you have 30 days from their first contact to send a written request asking them to prove they own the debt and that the amount is correct. They must stop collection efforts while they verify, though interest may continue to accrue depending on your original loan terms.

Second, you can negotiate a settlement. Many collection agencies will accept less than the full amount owed because they bought the debt at a discount. You can offer a lump sum payment or request a payment plan. Get any agreement in writing before you pay anything. Some collectors will agree to remove the account from your credit report in exchange for payment, though this is not may provide and varies by collector.

Third, you can ignore the debt and let the statute of limitations run. Each state has a different statute of limitations for debt collection — typically three to six years. After that time passes, Auto Truck Group cannot sue you, though they can still contact you and the debt remains on your credit report. This option does not erase the debt or the credit damage; it only prevents a lawsuit.

Fourth, you can consult a consumer law attorney. If Auto Truck Group has violated the FDCPA or if the debt is not actually yours, an attorney can help you fight back. Many offer free consultations and work on contingency, meaning you pay only if you win.

Negotiating or paying the debt

If you decide to pay or settle, start by requesting a written settlement offer from Auto Truck Group. Do not agree to anything over the phone. Once you have an offer in writing, you can decide whether to pay in full or propose a lower amount. Many collectors will negotiate, especially if you can pay a lump sum quickly.

Before you pay, confirm what will happen to the collection account. Some collectors agree to delete the account from your credit report (called a "pay-to-delete" agreement), though this is becoming less common. More often, they will mark it as "paid" or "settled," which is better than "unpaid" but still shows on your report. Get this agreement in writing.

If you cannot pay in full, ask about a payment plan. Auto Truck Group may agree to monthly payments over several months. Again, get the terms in writing, including the total amount, payment dates, and what happens if you miss a payment. Once you reach an agreement, stick to it — missing payments on a settlement plan can result in a lawsuit.

Protecting yourself from scams

Scammers sometimes impersonate debt collectors, including Auto Truck Group. They call threatening arrest or vehicle repossession to pressure you into paying when ready. Real debt collectors do not threaten arrest for unpaid consumer debt — that is illegal. They also do not demand payment by wire transfer, gift card, or prepaid card.

If you are unsure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and call Auto Truck Group directly using the phone number on their official website or on a letter they sent you. Do not use a number the caller provided. You can also file a complaint with the CFPB if you believe you have been contacted by a scammer posing as a debt collector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Auto Truck Group repossess my vehicle?

Auto Truck Group does not repossess vehicles — they are a debt collector, not a lender. However, if you still owe money on a vehicle loan and the original lender has not yet repossessed it, the lender (not Auto Truck Group) can do so. Once Auto Truck Group owns the debt, they pursue collection through payment demands, settlement offers, or lawsuits, not repossession.

What happens if I ignore Auto Truck Group's calls and letters?

If you ignore them long enough, Auto Truck Group may file a lawsuit against you. If they win, they can obtain a judgment that allows them to garnish your wages or levy your bank account, depending on your state's laws. Ignoring them does not make the debt go away, though it does eventually fall off your credit report after seven years.

Can I get the collection account removed from my credit report?

You can request removal if the debt is not actually yours or if Auto Truck Group cannot verify it. You can also dispute the account with the credit bureaus if you believe the information is inaccurate. If you pay the debt, you can ask Auto Truck Group to remove it, though they are not required to agree. After seven years, it falls off automatically regardless of whether you paid.

Do I have to pay Auto Truck Group if the statute of limitations has passed?

No, you do not have a legal obligation to pay after the statute of limitations expires in your state. However, the debt still appears on your credit report and Auto Truck Group can still contact you. Paying does not change your credit report if the account is already past the statute of limitations, so there is little benefit to paying at that point.

What should I do if Auto Truck Group is harassing me?

Send them a written cease-and-desist letter requesting they stop contacting you. Under the FDCPA, they must stop calling once they receive it, though they can still pursue legal action. You can also file a complaint with the CFPB or your state's attorney general. If the harassment continues, consult a consumer law attorney about your options.