Alaska AG Secures $800,000 Consumer Protection Resolution with Car Dealerships

AG: Alaska Press Releases

Filed March 24th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

Alaska Attorney General Cox announced a settlement with Swickard car dealerships, requiring them to pay $800,000 in civil penalties for violating consumer protection laws. The lawsuit alleged deceptive advertising, failure to honor advertised prices, and improper handling of used vehicle condition statements. An additional $200,000 penalty is suspended, contingent on future compliance.

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What changed

The State of Alaska, through Attorney General Cox, has secured a $800,000 settlement with Swickard car dealerships (Swickard Anchorage, LLC, et al.) to resolve a consumer protection lawsuit. The complaint, filed in Anchorage Superior Court, alleged unfair and deceptive advertising practices, including advertising unavailable vehicles, refusing to honor advertised prices, and requiring undisclosed dealer add-ons. The court also found Swickard failed to obtain signed statements describing the condition and accident history of used vehicles purchased from individual consumers, violating state laws AS 45.25.465 and AS 45.50.471(b)(43).

This settlement mandates an $800,000 civil penalty, with an additional $200,000 suspended penalty that will be imposed if Swickard engages in reckless or persistent violations of consumer protection laws within the next three years. Consumers are reminded that dealerships must honor advertised prices, disclose all extra costs, and provide condition statements for used vehicles. This action reinforces the requirement for transparency and honesty in automotive sales within Alaska.

What to do next

Review advertising and pricing practices for compliance with consumer protection laws.
Ensure all dealer add-ons and fees are clearly disclosed as part of the advertised price.
Implement procedures for obtaining and providing signed condition statements for all used vehicles purchased from individual consumers.

Penalties

$800,000 civil penalty, with an additional $200,000 suspended penalty for future violations.

Source document (simplified)

Department of Law / Press Releases

Press Release

Attorney General Cox Secures Landmark Consumer Protection Resolution with Swickard Car Dealerships—$800,000 now, $200,000 More if Misconduct Continues

March 24, 2026

(Ketchikan, AK) – Today, Attorney General Cox announced the settlement of the State’s consumer protection lawsuit against Swickard Anchorage, LLC, Swickard Anchorage II, LLC, Swickard PAV, LLC, Swickard Palmer, LLC, and Swickard Management Company (collectively “Swickard”) for violating consumer protection laws. Swickard operates car dealerships in Anchorage and Palmer.

The complaint, which was filed in Anchorage Superior Court, alleged that Swickard engaged in unfair and deceptive advertising practices, including advertising vehicles that were not actually available for purchase to draw customers to its lot. Swickard also refused to honor advertised prices once consumers arrived, requiring consumers to purchase expensive dealer add-ons that were not disclosed in the online advertisements, such as extra warranties, ceramic coating, dent and ding protection, and door edge guards and cups.

The Anchorage Superior Court found that Swickard purchased used vehicles from individual consumers without obtaining a signed statement describing the vehicle’s condition, including the accident and repair history. State law requires dealerships to secure this signed statement from sellers and then provide it to prospective buyers. Swickard’s failure to follow this process deprived consumers of information necessary to make informed purchasing decisions and violated AS 45.25.465 and AS 45.50.471(b)(43).

“Car dealers don’t get to advertise one price and charge another—or advertise cars that aren’t really there,” said Alaska Attorney General Stephen Cox. “That’s a bait-and-switch, and it’s unlawful. Alaskans already face higher costs than most—this settlement holds Swickard accountable and reinforces that the price you see should be the price you pay.”

Under this settlement, the defendants will pay a total civil penalty of $800,000, with an additional suspended penalty of $200,000 to be paid if Swickard engages in reckless or persistent violations of consumer protection laws in the next three years.

Consumers should know that Alaska law entitles them to purchase a vehicle at the advertised price. Dealerships cannot make consumers pay dealer documentation fees or dealer add-ons unless those extra costs were disclosed as part of the advertised price. And if consumers are purchasing a used vehicle, the dealership must provide a signed statement from the vehicle’s previous owner that describes the vehicles condition and accident history. Or, if the vehicle was purchased at auction, from another dealer, or from a wholesaler, that fact must be disclosed as well.