Posted at: 11/20/2008 02:15:07 PM
Updated at: 11/20/2008 02:39:32 PM
By: Beth Wurtmann
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Know your Rights on Repossession
 
HUDSON FALLS - "We're looking for an '06 Dodge Durango," said Eric Barber. He's stalking the streets of Hudson Falls, a self - proclaimed "Repo Man."

"These people do not know I'm comin," he added.

Barber spotted his targets: an SUV and a camper. His job is to haul them way, because the owner didn't pay.

"I get paid by the bank to come and get em. They didn't pay on em, so my job is come and get 'em," said Barber.

First, he needed the keys to the Durango. The owner's wasn't home, but after a phone call, a man showed up and handed over the keys without a fight.

"He was mad. I mean, he's losing' his toys. The camper, at least, is a toy," said Barber.

Not all repossessions go that smoothly. In August of 2007, a Rotterdam resident was killed, while his Ford Excursion was being repossessed. Police said 44 year old Ed Kosloski approached the tow truck, which ran over him and left the scene. His family said he wasn't trying to stop the repossession, just retrieve his tools. The case is now in court.

Just last month at a house in the Town of Seward, Schoharie County, a repo job led to a gun shot.

State police said it was around 10 o'clock at night, when two women, there to repossess a pick up truck, knocked on the door. With no answer, they headed for the garage to look for the truck. That's when things took a turn for the worse.

"They heard a door open, they heard a male come out of the door, say some choice words to them, and discharged a round," said State Police Investigator Mario DiCristifaro.

32-year-old Warren Tucker was charged with menacing. Police seized his rifle, and his truck. We caught up with Tucker as he was going to court for a different case.

REPORTER: "Did you know those women were there to repossess your car?"

TUCKER: "No."

REPORTER: "Why fire a rifle? Were you trying to harm-

TUCKER: Thought someone was robbin' me."

There are rules of the repo game. Repossessors can go on your property to take your vehicle but they can't go inside your closed garage.

You can't make payments on the spot to the repo man. He doesn't have to tell you where he's taking your car. To learn that, you have to call the police or the lender.

Barber said he does feel sorry for some people in their time of financial trouble, but he clearly loves his job.

"I stole your car! It's a thrill!," he said.

REPORTER: "But it's a legal thrill."

BARBER: "It's a legal thrill! As long as we don't fight about it. It's going home with me."

If you want your car or camper back, you'll have to work it out with your bank or whoever holds the loan.

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