Lindsay Automotive Group to Return $75M to Car Buyers

The FTC and Maryland Attorney General secured a settlement requiring Lindsay Automotive Group to return over $75 million to consumers and pay a $3.1 million civil penalty for deceptive advertising and unwanted add-on charges. The proposed consent order targets a dealership group accused of misleading car buyers about the total price of vehicles and adding charges without consent.

The settlement requires Lindsay Automotive to provide clear disclosures of all costs before purchase and prohibits charging for unwanted add-ons. Individual executives named in the complaint face personal liability, signaling increased accountability for corporate fraud.

Maryland car buyers who purchased from Lindsay dealerships should monitor refund communications. The action demonstrates federal and state cooperation in protecting consumers from automotive sales fraud.