On August 31, 2020, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy (“Massachusetts AG”) announced that she had filed suit in Massachusetts state court against a national auto lender for allegedly making unfair and deceptive loans to thousands of Massachusetts consumers since 2013 and engaging in unfair debt collection practices.
According to the Massachusetts AG, the company allegedly made subprime auto loans to Massachusetts consumers even though it knew the customers would be unable to pay, in violation of Massachusetts state law. The Massachusetts AG further alleges that the company charged illegal fees, overcharged customers for deficiencies, and engaged in illegal debt collection practices.
The Massachusetts AG is seeking monetary relief for impacted customers, civil money penalties, and injunctive relief. The lawsuit is part of the Massachusetts ongoing review of the “subprime auto market,” which resulted in earlier settlements covered here and here.