At the state level, consumer advocates such as Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine say the industry needs more regulation. The Federal Trade Commission, aware of the industry’s tactics, has warned about the risks of signing rent-to-own agreements.
But Rent-A-Center relies on exceptions carved out for the entire rent-to-own industry, allowing it to operate outside many consumer protection laws. In most American industries, harassment over unpaid bills sets off alarms with regulators. Even Rent-A-Center shareholders have complained, filing a lawsuit against the company that argued shoddy record-keeping has damaged the business. Many documented lengthy, unsuccessful attempts to get Rent-A-Center to correct its records, a joint investigation by NerdWallet and Raycom Media found. Customers say their credit scores had been damaged unfairly and they were hounded by debt collectors after they settled their accounts. Thousands of Rent-A-Center customers across the United States are complaining in growing numbers of harassment and wrecked finances after leasing furniture, electronics or appliances from the $3 billion company. And Andrea Gorman told authorities that Rent-A-Center workers kicked in the front door of her Ohio home after she fell behind on payments. Jessica Gonzalez’s federal lawsuit says she huddled with her two sons in a closet of her Florida home while a Rent-A-Center employee pounded on her house to collect money. But for years after, he says debt collectors pursued him, even threatening him with arrest. Leroy Walton of Georgia settled his account with Rent-A-Center in 2013, his records show. She had paid off her rented merchandise - twice. Virginia real estate investor Olivia Quinn says she lost her mortgage because Rent-A-Center, the nation’s largest rent-to-own company, failed to correct her credit report.
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