If the borrower fails to make their loan payments in full, the lender can repossess the vehicle. The associated laws depend on the state you live in. Some states have enacted laws to protect consumers; in others, borrowers aren’t so lucky.
In states without restrictions, a lender can install a GPS on the vehicle when the loan is originated to make repossession easier if they don’t receive payment on time. Other states require lenders to give a heads up before repossession. This provides a chance for the borrower to retrieve personal items from the vehicle or find a way to make good on payments before the lender sells the car.
You should tell your coworker to check with your state’s attorney general and state consumer protection office to verify that the lender didn’t act illegally. He can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.