NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has launched a lawsuit against two Staten Island dealerships owned by SG Hylan Motors Corp, doing business as Honda of Staten Island, Staten Island Honda, Nissan of Staten Island and Staten Island Nissan (collectively “SG Hylan Motors”). Schneiderman argues that the defendants allegedly unlawfully sold “after-sale” products and services.
SG Hylan Motors purportedly “jammed” extra hidden costs into the deals it made with more than 2,300 consumers. Schneiderman argues this included charging costs sometimes in excess of $2,000 per consumer for credit repair, identity theft and other services. The dealers allegedly applied these charges without the knowledge of the car buyer.
“When consumers shop for a car, they should not be misled by deceptive dealerships looking to saddle consumers with hidden costs,” Schneiderman said. “Unfortunately, some dealers pad their pockets with fees for products and services that unaware consumers don’t need, and don’t want. We will continue to crack down against car dealerships that seek to unfairly take advantage of ordinary New Yorkers.”
The case is being handled by assistant attorney general Elena González, deputy bureau chief Laura J. Levine and bureau chief Jane M. Azia, all of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau, and Manisha M. Smith, executive deputy attorney general for economic justice.