Attorney General Pam Bondi Sues Jacksonville Used Car Dealership for Defrauding Consumers
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Attorney General Pam Bondi today announced that her
office filed a lawsuit against a used car dealership in Jacksonville for
alleged violations of Florida’s consumer protection law, including affixing
GPS tracking devices to cars without consumer knowledge or consent. The
defendants, Beach Boulevard Automotive, Inc., Beach Boulevard Auto Finance,
Inc., John King, Sr., and Barbara King, are accused of unfair and deceptive
business practices. The lawsuit seeks restitution for harmed consumers,
civil penalties of up to $15,000 per violation, attorneys fees and costs,
and injunctive relief.
“According to some complaints, this business tracked consumers down using
GPS devices and then repossessed vehicles even though consumers were
current on payments,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Nearly 80
consumers filed complaints with our office, and our priority in this case
is to return money to harmed consumers through restitution and to halt any
fraudulent business practices.”
The complaint includes eight counts. One count alleges willfully using or
threatening force or violence by using obscene and harassing language when
dealing with customers, a violation of Florida Statutes 559.72. The
remaining seven counts, which are listed in part below, allege violations
of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
· Requiring certain consumers to purchase credit life insurance, credit
disability insurance and GAP insurance as a condition of sale;
· Tracking vehicles via GPS tracking devices without consumer knowledge
or authorization;
· Adding to the price of the car a pre-printed, flat charge entitled
“Pre-Delivery Inspection” fee using the pre-printed Used Vehicle Bill
of Sale without disclosing the nature and purpose of the fee and
without providing required disclosures;
· Keeping consumers’ deposits without adequate disclosure;
· Posting false reviews on the Internet;
· Engaging in the business of selling motor vehicle retail installment
contracts without a license through the Office of Financial
Regulation; and
· Wrongfully, unfairly and unconscionably repossessing consumers’
vehicles;
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of
Motor Vehicles and the Better Business Bureau have also received complaints
against Beach Blvd. Automotive.
Anyone who believes that a business may be using unfair and deceptive
practices should contact the Attorney General’s Office by calling
1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or by filing a complaint online at
http://www.myfloridalegal.com.
The complaint can be read here:
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/MMFD-8MJGHT/$file/10.11.2011BeachBlvdAutoComplaint.pdf
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Contact:
Jenn Meale
Phone: 850.245.0150
jennifer.meale@myfloridalegal.com
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