Corbett
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has obtained more than $92,000 in refund checks to residents as a result of alleged deceptive marketing by computer giant Dell.
More than 300 state residents were sent a check after a four-year investigation that revealed consumers were deceived into thinking they were buying products with zero percent interest, only to find out they were being charged much higher interest rates, Corbett said.
Under the agreement, Dell must pay restitution to consumers who filed complaints from April 1, 2005 through April 13, 2009.
Around 290 residents will receive a total of $92,073, averaging out to around $300 a check, although some residents are entitled to a $1,000 reimbursement, Corbett said.
The amount of the refund is based off of the cost of finance charges, fees to the customers that were forced to pay Dell for services not received and other penalties, according to Corbett.
In addition, the agreement requires Dell to provide clear information to customers about future promotions, ensure that rebates are received in a timely manner and to be more responsive to consumers when they have technical questions.
"Financing rates, rebates and other promotional offers have a major impact on consumers' decisions about whether or not to make a purchase, or how much they intend to spend," Corbett said.