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LEGAL NEWSLINE

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Corbett reaches $135,000 settlement with fraudulent dental business

Tom Corbett (R)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) -- Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has reached a $135,000 settlement that will reimburse consumers who were charged more than they should have been by an Erie-based dental and denture business.

The settlement requires that Allcare Dental & Dentures make good on their advertised promotions and discounts, which included senior discounts, free denture consultations, low-interest or interest-free financing, free initial exams and x-rays, low-cost denture repairs and warranties.

Corbett claims that Allcare failed to adequately disclose various limitations or special qualifications on various coupons and promotions, did not adequately explain financing terms and conditions or enticed consumers to purchase more expensive products or services.

"Consumers were drawn to Allcare by offers of low-cost solutions to their dental problems," Corbett said. "Instead, many were surprised by larger bills, more expensive services or higher interest rates than they were initially promised."

The agreement requires Allcare to pay $75,000 in restitution to consumers who file valid claims for refunds within the next 90 days. Additionally, the settlement requires Allcare to pay $10,000 in civil penalties and $50,000 to support future consumer protection activities.

The Republican AG also said that Allcare must provide all consumers with a copy of their treatment and financing plan, including an itemized list of all services and fees, disclosure of any cancellation fees, terms of any guarantees or warranties, the total amount due, estimated monthly payments and annual interest rate.

The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance was filed in Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.

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