Attorney General Chris Carr is urging Georgia servicemembers and veterans affected by Harris Jewelry's practices to seek refunds by December 21, 2024. This follows a federal court's decision that the retailer violated a prior settlement agreement by closing its claims portal prematurely. The court has ordered the reopening of the portal.
Eligible individuals include those who purchased items from Harris Jewelry, paid for a Lifetime Jewelry and Watch Protection Plan, and either have not filed a claim or have not received a response from the retailer. They now have until December 21, 2024, to submit their refund requests.
Approximately 3,780 servicemembers and veterans in Georgia were misled by Harris Jewelry, with many stationed at Fort Moore in Columbus. "Thousands of Georgia’s servicemembers and veterans fell victim to Harris Jewelry’s deceptive acts, and we want to ensure they receive the financial relief they’re rightfully owed," said Carr. "We won’t allow anyone to take advantage of our military families, and we encourage all Georgians who are eligible to submit their refund requests as soon as possible."
In 2022, Carr announced Georgia's participation in a $34.2 million multistate settlement resolving allegations against Harris Jewelry for deceiving over 46,000 U.S. servicemembers and veterans nationwide. The allegations included making false claims about credit score improvements through financing jewelry purchases with them, misrepresenting protection plans as necessary for financing purchases, failing to provide required written disclosures for contracts, and violating the Military Lending Act.
The settlement required Harris Jewelry to cease collecting $21 million in outstanding debt from over 13,000 servicemembers; offer up to $12 million in refunds for protection plans; vacate judgments against consumers totaling over $115 thousand; and remove negative credit entries reported to agencies.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division provides resources like the Georgia Military Consumer Protection Guide to help active and former servicemembers understand their consumer rights. Topics covered include car buying, housing rights, insurance matters, budgeting tips, debt collection issues, identity theft prevention strategies, scams awareness including frauds related to the GI Bill.
Georgia servicemembers suspecting scams or deceptive business practices can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at (404) 651-8600 or file complaints online.