How to Recover Personal Items From a Repossession

During difficult financial times, consumers find themselves having to let go of their cars through repossession. However, just because you lose your car does not mean you have to lose your personal belongings that were in the car at the time of its repossession. You can seek legal action in small claims court if the repossession company does not give you your items back.

Instructions

1

Make a list. Try to remember everything you had in your car. Document items such as car seats, books, CDs or other equipment you may have had in your car. Do not leave anything off the list, but on the other hand do not add things that were not in your car.

2

Obtain the phone number and mailing address for both your creditor and the tow company. Call each company and ask whether it has a specific form to request the return of your personal property. If they do, ask how to get one and where to send it. If they do not, send a letter requesting the return of the items left in your car and include the list. Let the repossession company know that you did not abandon the items and you intend to get them back.

3

Write a request. Include your name, address, telephone number and identify the car by giving the date it was repossessed, the make, model and year. List a few different dates you are available to pick the items up and ask the company to select one of them.

4

Mail the request to both the tow company and creditor. To document receipt of your request purchase proof of delivery from the post office, which you can track online. If you want your items back in a timely manner, send the request priority mail or overnight to ensure that the companies get the request within the next few days.

5

Follow up. If you do not hear about the return of your items within a couple weeks, check back with the creditor and tow company. Make sure they received your request for return and inquire how long the process will take.