Call your auto lender about a hardship or extension

By the CallForMe team at Great Work LLC · Updated Nov 5, 2026 · 2 min read

Short answer: Give your agent the lender's number and your number as transfer_to. CallForMe calls, works the menu, waits on hold, and connects you when a person picks up, since lenders usually discuss a loan only with the borrower. The CFPB says the sooner you contact your lender, the more choices it may be able to offer. Ask what each option costs, and get any agreement in writing.

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$1 when someone answers, first 2 minutes included. Nothing if nobody picks up. Connecting asks for nothing.

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If a car payment is going to be late, the call to your lender is the one you least want to make, and it often starts with a long menu and a hold. Your agent can do the waiting and connect you the moment someone can help.

What your agent does

1. Calls your lender at the customer service number on your statement or the lender's site.
2. Works the menu and waits on hold, asking for loan servicing or hardship help.
3. Connects you at your transfer_to number when a person picks up, so you only come on the line for the part that needs you.
4. Asks general questions first if you want, like the department's hours, and brings back anything you need to have ready.

Don't put your account number, Social Security number or card number in the request. The assistant never reads those aloud, and you can give them yourself once you're connected.

What to ask once you're on

The CFPB says the sooner you contact your lender, the more choices it may be able to offer, and that repossessing a car is often more expensive for a lender than working with you (CFPB, a 2020 post now marked as archived, so check current terms with your lender). Its list of things to ask about:

• A new due date, if the timing of your paycheck is the problem.
• A payment plan to catch up on missed payments.
• A payment extension, which defers some monthly payments. It can significantly increase the interest you owe and may add payments at the end of the loan.
• Refinancing, which might get you a lower rate.

Get the representative's name, and the agreement in writing.

What it costs

$1 per answered call, including the first 2 minutes, then $0.40 a minute, up to 30 minutes. A 10-minute hold is $4.20. Set max_cost_usd to cap it. A call nobody answers costs nothing.

Related

• Wait on hold and patch you in
• Have AI call your bank
• Dispute a credit card charge
• How to reach a person on the phone

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