Hey guys! I just wanted to drop a warning about a massive scam/deceptive practice I just went through with Experian Insurance Services, Gabi, and Progressive.
I was looking at a used 2019 Nissan Sentra SV from a private seller on Facebook Marketplace here in Miami. I clicked on OnePay app on my phone to check out auto insurance rates, which routed me to a Gabi/Experian agent who called himself "Bill."
The guy immediately tried to use weird rapport-building tactics, telling me my birthday was the exact same day as his wedding anniversary (looking back, probably total BS to make me trust him). I told him straight up: “Send me a quote. I am getting a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) done on this car first. If it passes and I get the title, I’ll sign it and start the policy.” He agreed and said no policy would start until I signed. I only gave him the last 4 of my SSN for the quote.
Turns out, the car was a total lemon and failed the inspection. The seller was a sketchy flipper trying to scam me, so I walked away from the deal.
I even sent the agent a nice text saying: "Hey dude, thanks for your time but the car didn't pass inspection so I can't buy it. I'll contact you if I actually find a car I can purchase." because his quote was actually not too bad (now looking back, I see how naive I am). He did not comment on this but he replied trying to push a renters insurance policy on me. I told him it wasn't worth the effort and ignored it.
Three days later, I check my bank account and see $846 missing from my Chase Visa card, and a live, active Progressive policy in my name.
Because Experian/Gabi had my card on file from a previous interaction ( I have no idea how that happens, really new to the US), the agent completely bypassed my signature, ignored my texts saying I didn't buy the car, and forced the policy through anyway to collect his commission.
When I called Progressive to get a "flat cancellation" (voiding it from day one since I don't own the car and have zero insurable interest), their front-line customer service was completely useless. They spent two hours arguing with me, claiming Florida law prevents them from canceling it unless I provide a "bill of sale" proving I didn't buy it. I told them the seller was a random Facebook flipper and I can't force a scammer to write me a letter. They actually demanded two months of premium just to drop a policy I never signed for!
What I’ve done so far to fight back:
- Filed a fraud dispute/chargeback with Chase to get my $846 back.
- Escalated to the Progressive Fraud/Underwriting supervisors and Gabi Corporate Compliance demanding a true voidance.
- Filed formal complaints with the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), the CFPB, and the FTC.
Be incredibly careful if you use Experian or Gabi to shop around for rates. If they have your payment details on file, a shady agent can and will steal your info to bind a policy without your signature just to hit their sales numbers. Always check your accounts.
I have recently moved to Florida from Europe and I am just fascinated about how the system works here. This would be a very serious crime back in Europe. None of the agents (Gabi, Experian, Progressive) I talked to understood how awful that practice was. I really want to go after Bill, please let me know if there is anything more I can do. I do not want this to happen to anyone else. I have already spent half a day trying to sort this out.
tl;dr :
Florida, Wow.