Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced that his Consumer Protection Division, in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission, has reached a settlement of civil charges against multiple Lindsay Automotive Group entities, including Lindsay Ford in Wheaton, over allegations that consumers were misled into paying more than advertised prices for vehicles.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the lawsuit alleged that the dealerships advertised lower vehicle prices but added mandatory fees and charges during the purchasing process. The settlement aims to provide financial relief to affected consumers while prohibiting the practices moving forward.
As part of the agreement, the defendants must issue refunds to consumers who paid more than the advertised purchase or lease price at Lindsay Ford in Wheaton, as well as Maryland residents who purchased vehicles from Lindsay Chevrolet in Woodbridge, VA and Lindsay Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram in Manassas, VA. The settlement also covers refunds for add-on products or services, such as GAP insurance or service plans, that consumers say they did not agree to purchase or believed were required.
While the total amount of refunds has not yet been finalized, officials say more than $75 million in consumer charges could be eligible for reimbursement. The case, which has been pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, still requires court approval.
Attorney General Brown said the action was taken to address what his office described as deceptive practices that caused Maryland consumers to overpay. FTC officials echoed those concerns, stating that the case focused on ensuring transparency in vehicle pricing and protecting consumers from hidden or misleading charges.
Under the terms of the settlement, the defendants are permanently prohibited from misrepresenting vehicle pricing, financing terms, or whether certain fees, products, or services are required. They must also clearly disclose the total price of a vehicle as the most prominent figure in advertisements and obtain consumers’ explicit, informed consent before applying any charges.
Eligible consumers will be contacted by a third-party claims administrator. Those with questions can also contact the Maryland Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. In addition to the consumer refunds, the defendants have agreed to pay $3.1 million to the Attorney General’s Office.
