Wormer v. Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, No. 114865 (Aug. 23, 2000)

**Wormer v. Charter Oak Federal Credit Union: Court Rules Against Credit Union for Improper Car Repossession** This case involved an employee who had a dispute with Charter Oak Federal Credit Union over how they repossessed her vehicle. The credit union took back the car without following proper legal procedures, specifically failing to give the required notice before repossession. The court sided with the employee, finding that the credit union violated two important laws: the Retail Installment Sales Finance Act and the Uniform Commercial Code. These laws require lenders to provide proper notice before taking someone's vehicle. However, the court rejected the employee's claim under Connecticut's consumer protection law. **What this means for workers:** If you have a car loan through your employer's credit union or any lender, they cannot simply take your vehicle without following specific legal steps first. Lenders must provide proper written notice before repossession, even if you're behind on payments. This ruling reinforces that financial institutions - including those connected to your workplace - must follow the law when collecting debts. If a lender improperly repossesses your vehicle, you may have legal grounds to challenge their actions in court.