FOLLOW US

North American Automotive Services, Inc., also doing business as Ed Napleton Automotive Group agreed to pay $10 million to settle a lawsuit over its practice of inserting illegal junk fees into customers' bills and discriminating against Black consumers.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the State of Illinois filed the complaint against the multistate auto dealer group.

According to the complaint, eight of Napleton's dealerships and the general manager of its two dealerships in Illinois illegally added junk fees for unwanted "add-on" products such as payment for insurance and paint protection.

The FTC and the State of Illinois alleged that the dealerships often waited until the end of the negotiation process to insert junk fees into consumers' purchase contracts. The dealerships often added junk fees even if consumers specifically declined the add-on products. In some instances, the dealerships falsely told consumers that the add-ons were free or a requirement to purchase or finance their vehicles.

Eighty percent (83%) of buyers were charged junk fees for add-on products without their authorization or as a result of deception, according to a survey cited in the lawsuit.

The Napleton dealerships charged consumers hundreds or even thousands of dollars for unwanted add-on products. The company's dealership in Arlinton Heights, Illinois charged a consumer almost $4,000 in add-on fees after paying a similar amount in down payment.

Additionally, the FTC and the State of Illinois alleged that the Napleton dealerships discriminated against Black consumers. When financing vehicle purchases of Black consumers, dealerships allegedly increased the amount of interest rate or sneaked in add-on products to their final contract. The dealerships allegedly charged Black consumers approximately $190 more interest rate and $99 more for similar add-ons than non-Latino White customers.

In a statement, FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine said, “Working closely with the Illinois Attorney General, we are holding these dealerships accountable for discriminating against minority consumers and sneaking junk fees onto people’s bills. Especially as families struggle with rising car prices, dealerships that cheat their customers can expect to hear from us.”