How to get a UCC filing removed after loan payoff - lender won't respond

Exactly this. The debtor name has to match character for character including spaces and punctuation. I've seen filings get rejected for missing a comma.

Wait can you really file your own termination? I thought only the secured party could do that?

In most states if you have proof the debt is satisfied you can file an authorized termination. But check your state's specific rules first.

That's helpful. Do you remember what the filing fee was? And how long did it take to show up as terminated in the system?

Think it was around $25 in my state. Showed up as terminated within 24 hours since I filed electronically. Much faster than waiting for the bank!

Some states require notarization for termination statements, others don't. Check your state's requirements before filing.

Never heard of that but sounds useful. Is it expensive?

Actually pretty reasonable for what it does. Way cheaper than having your termination rejected and having to refile. Plus it's instant - you get the verification report right away.

This might be exactly what I need since I'm worried about the name formatting issues. Thanks for the tip!

This is good advice. In my state it's $500 per day after 30 days of written demand. Made my lender move pretty quick when I mentioned it.

Can confirm this works. Sent a demand letter with the statute citation and they filed the termination within a week.

Good point. I have the satisfaction letter from the bank but it's not notarized. Think that'll be a problem?

Depends on your state. Some require notarized satisfaction docs for authorized terminations, others just need written proof. Check your state's UCC termination requirements.

Bank letterhead usually carries enough weight even without notarization. But a notarized version is always safer if you can get it.

Same experience with Wells Fargo. They act like termination filings are some huge favor they're doing for you.

The worst part is they charge you fees to file the UCC-1 originally but then won't file the termination that protects YOUR credit rating.

Actually thought about the CFPB route. Have you had success with that approach?

Filed one complaint and got a call from the bank's executive customer service within 48 hours. They had the termination filed by end of week.

CFPB complaints definitely work. Banks hate dealing with regulatory inquiries so they usually resolve things quick to make it go away.

Ugh hadn't thought about that delay. My refi closing is in 3 weeks. Think that's enough time?

Should be okay if you file the termination this week. You can also get a UCC search report showing the termination to provide directly to your new lender.

That's such a good point about the LLC formatting. I never would have thought to check that level of detail.

Yeah this is exactly the kind of mistake I'm worried about making. Definitely checking this out.

Is there any downside to filing your own termination vs having the lender do it?

Not really, as long as you have proper authorization and follow the state requirements. The result is exactly the same.

Actually it's often faster and more accurate when you do it yourself since you care more about getting it right than some random bank employee.

Awesome! Glad it worked out. This thread is going to help so many people dealing with the same issue.

So glad the document verification tool helped! That's exactly why I mentioned it - these small details can kill your filing.

Great outcome. Nothing like solving it yourself when the banks won't cooperate.