HI Office of Consumer Protection

Coastal Medical Supply Settles 10 Consumer Billing Complaints

The Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection reached a settlement with Coastal Medical Supply, Inc., a distributor of durable medical equipment including CPAP and bilevel positive airway pressure machines and supplies. The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance resolves ten consumer complaints alleging unauthorized billing for supplies not ordered, with some accounts sent to debt collectors despite consumer disputes. As part of the settlement, Coastal Medical Supply agreed to cancel consumers' accounts and existing balances, implement a new customer complaint response procedure, provide restitution and injunctive relief, and contact the three major credit reporting bureaus on behalf of three consumers to request removal of collection items.

HI OCP $6M Settlement with PayPal over Venmo Deceptive Practices

Hawai'i's Office of Consumer Protection announced a $6 million settlement with PayPal, Inc. and PayPal Holdings, Inc. to resolve a lawsuit filed in December 2022 alleging unfair and deceptive acts or practices through PayPal's and Venmo's e-payment platforms. The settlement resolves claims that PayPal deceptively advertised broad Purchase Protection, user privacy, consistent fund access, and protection from scams and fraud. PayPal has denied the claims while agreeing to pay $6 million.

Hawaii Joins $149.7M Multistate Settlement with Mercedes-Benz Over Emissions Fraud

Hawaii OCP joined 50 attorneys general in a $149,673,750 settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and Mercedes-Benz Group AG for marketing vehicles with undisclosed emissions defeat devices in over 211,000 diesel cars and vans from 2008-2016. The settlement requires immediate payment of $120 million to states, with an additional $29,673,750 suspended pending completion of a consumer relief program. Mercedes-Benz must install approved emission modification software at no cost, provide extended warranties, and pay affected consumers $2,000 per vehicle. Hawaii will receive $263,356.00, with approximately 913 impacted vehicles registered in the state. The settlement also imposes marketing reform requirements, including prohibitions on deceptive emissions representations.