Delaware Part of 50-State Settlement With Retailer That Targeted Military Service Members
Consumer Protection | Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | Date Posted: Monday, October 3, 2016
Consumer Protection | Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | Date Posted: Monday, October 3, 2016
The Delaware Department of Justice Consumer Protection Unit announced a settlement with retailer USA Discounters, also doing business as USA Living and Fletcher’s Jewelers, along with 49 other state attorneys general, to resolve the states’ claims of deceptive trade practices against the company. An estimated $203,000 will be paid to Delawareans who were USA Discounters customers as part of the settlement.
USA Discounters sold consumer products, including furniture, appliances, televisions, computers, smart phones, jewelry and other consumer goods principally on credit. USA Discounters typically marketed to members of the military and veterans, advertising that military, veterans and government employees would never be denied credit for goods purchased from the retailer. USA Discounters closed its stores in the summer of 2015 before later declaring bankruptcy.
The Attorney General offices alleged that USA Discounters engaged in unfair, abusive, false and deceptive acts and practices. These allegations include that, in collecting on consumer debts, USA Discounters engaged in abusive tactics when service members got behind on payments, including contacting service members’ chains-of-command, and causing some service members to lose security clearances and face demotions. The states also alleged that USA Discounters only filed its lawsuits in a few Virginia jurisdictions, no matter the service member’s location, deployment status, or residence. In addition, the states alleged USA Discounters sold overpriced household goods at high interest rates, often using the military allotment system to guarantee payment. These unlawful business practices, the states claim, were secured through misrepresentations and omissions in advertising, during the loan’s origination, and during the collection process.
USA Discounters agreed to provide relief to certain former and current customers. The total estimated value to consumers for these restitution measures is approximately $95.9 million, primarily benefiting active and veteran service members. Namely, USA Discounters agreed to:
The value of the restitution to consumers in Delaware is approximately $203,000. This settlement is expected to impact 75 state residents.
Related Topics: AG Denn, Consumer Protection Unit, CPU, Delaware, DOJ, service members, Veterans
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Consumer Protection | Department of Justice | Department of Justice Press Releases | Date Posted: Monday, October 3, 2016
The Delaware Department of Justice Consumer Protection Unit announced a settlement with retailer USA Discounters, also doing business as USA Living and Fletcher’s Jewelers, along with 49 other state attorneys general, to resolve the states’ claims of deceptive trade practices against the company. An estimated $203,000 will be paid to Delawareans who were USA Discounters customers as part of the settlement.
USA Discounters sold consumer products, including furniture, appliances, televisions, computers, smart phones, jewelry and other consumer goods principally on credit. USA Discounters typically marketed to members of the military and veterans, advertising that military, veterans and government employees would never be denied credit for goods purchased from the retailer. USA Discounters closed its stores in the summer of 2015 before later declaring bankruptcy.
The Attorney General offices alleged that USA Discounters engaged in unfair, abusive, false and deceptive acts and practices. These allegations include that, in collecting on consumer debts, USA Discounters engaged in abusive tactics when service members got behind on payments, including contacting service members’ chains-of-command, and causing some service members to lose security clearances and face demotions. The states also alleged that USA Discounters only filed its lawsuits in a few Virginia jurisdictions, no matter the service member’s location, deployment status, or residence. In addition, the states alleged USA Discounters sold overpriced household goods at high interest rates, often using the military allotment system to guarantee payment. These unlawful business practices, the states claim, were secured through misrepresentations and omissions in advertising, during the loan’s origination, and during the collection process.
USA Discounters agreed to provide relief to certain former and current customers. The total estimated value to consumers for these restitution measures is approximately $95.9 million, primarily benefiting active and veteran service members. Namely, USA Discounters agreed to:
The value of the restitution to consumers in Delaware is approximately $203,000. This settlement is expected to impact 75 state residents.
Related Topics: AG Denn, Consumer Protection Unit, CPU, Delaware, DOJ, service members, Veterans
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.