If your vehicle was taken without warning, without proper paperwork, or during a confrontation, you may be a victim of wrongful repossession. Under the law, banks, finance companies, and tow agents must follow strict rules when taking a vehicle. The moment they cross the line into threats, intimidation, or unsafe behavior, the repossession becomes illegal. This is known as a breach of peace, and it gives you the right to fight back.

Wrongful repossession happens when a lender or repo company takes a vehicle without following the contract or the law. This includes:

• Taking the vehicle when the account is not actually in default
   
• Failing to provide required notices
   
• Repossessing from a restricted location
   
• Taking the car after a bankruptcy filing
   
• Ignoring a consumer’s lawful objections
   

Any of these violations can make the repossession illegal, and you may be able to sue the bank, sue the tow company, and sue the repo agents involved.

A breach of peace occurs when a repo agent creates conflict, fear, or danger during the repossession process. Common examples include:

• Threatening or intimidating you
   
• Raising their voice, starting a confrontation, or refusing to leave
   
• Breaking locks or entering a closed garage
   
• Damaging personal property
   
• Using force or physical contact
   
• Repossessing the car after you clearly object
   

The law requires repossessions to be peaceful at all times. If the agent’s actions cause any disturbance or escalation, the repossession is illegal, even if the lender had the right to take the vehicle.

Yes. Absolutely.

When a breach of peace occurs, you may be entitled to compensation. You may be able to file claims to:

• Sue the bank for authorizing an improper repossession
   
• Sue the tow company for illegal conduct
   
• Sue the repo agents for breach of peace and property damage
   
• Recover your vehicle or its value
   
• Recover the value of personal items taken or destroyed
   
• Recover financial losses and emotional distress damages
   

Banks and repo companies are strictly responsible for their agents’ behavior. If the tow truck driver crossed the line, the lender can be held liable too.

A breach of peace immediately voids the repo agent’s legal authority. Once the situation becomes hostile or unsafe, the agent must stop. Continuing the repossession after a confrontation makes the entire action wrongful, exposing the lender and repo company to legal claims. This protection exists to keep consumers safe and to prevent repo agents from using aggressive or abusive tactics.

You may have a strong case if any of the following happened:

• You were inside the vehicle

• You told the repo agent to stop, and they refused
   
• They threatened you or acted aggressively

• You were injured
   
• They took the car from inside a closed garage
   
• They damaged property or forced their way in
   
• They never provided notices or account details
   
• Your loan wasn’t actually in default
   
• You recently filed bankruptcy
   

If any of these apply, you may have a valid wrongful repossession claim.

Depending on your case, you may be entitled to:

• Return of your vehicle
   
• Compensation for personal items inside the car
   
• Repair costs for any damage caused
   
• Lost wages, towing fees, and rental car expenses
   
• Emotional distress damages
   
• Legal fees
   
• Punitive damages and Attorneys fees in severe cases
  

If you believe your vehicle was taken illegally or if the repo agents caused a breach of peace, you don’t have to face it alone. You may be able to sue the bank, sue the tow company, and hold the repo agents accountable for breaking the law.

Wrongful repossession is illegal. Breach of peace is illegal. You have rights.

Don’t wait to get the legal representation you need. Contact us today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case. Let us fight for you while you focus on your recovery.

Call us at eds@firmliaison.com or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation.