ATLANTA — Honda's finance operation pledges to make make whole countless drivers whose bank accounts got hit for double car payments. The company will not say how it happened or how many customers or dollars are involved.
Nancy Austin of Henry County has only one car payment left on her 2011 Accord. She figured Honda was itching for that last check when they took two payments by mistake.
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"I felt actually robbed, very vulnerable. If this company can do this to me, what other company can do this to me," said Austin.
Austin said each month she initiates payment online through her credit union's bill pay system. She has no autopay draft set for Honda.
Austin is one of the lucky ones to get through on the phone.
"I was very very unhappy with the answers I did receive. They weren't accepting responsibility for it," she said.
The company has been updating customers with Facebook since Wednesday. A post admits hold times of 20 to 30 minutes for those calling in.
Austin's account was so jumbled, after taking the money twice Honda gave it back twice, then took it out a third time.
"And I haven't been given any explanation why it happened," Austin said.
A Honda finance vice president offered apologies but no explanation.
"Customers are our top priority and we apologize for the inconvenience and any concerns that have resulted. We will make this right for our customers," said vice president David Paul.
Honda said they'll reimburse anyone hit with overdraft fees from the double dip. A spokesperson did not say how customers apply to get repaid.