In accordance with a 2022 settlement, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is urging veterans and active military personnel who were defrauded by Harris Jewelry to come forward and file claims for reimbursement by December 21. A recent news release claims that these people may be eligible for a portion of a fund worth over $8 million after being tricked into buying expensive jewelry with hidden fees that was misrepresented as a way to improve their personal credit.
Inflating pricing and ensnaring service members in high-interest loans resulted in thousands of dollars in debt and tarnished credit ratings, among other deceptive activities, Raoul stressed. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District has ordered that claims be filed through the company’s portal, which will no longer be accessible after December 21. As a result of the settlement, Harris Jewelry has ceased collecting on debts totaling more than $21.3 million for over 13,000 customers. That being said, it is noteworthy that over 30,000 customers are still eligible to receive their refunds and are therefore urged to act promptly.
Significant reparation is required by the 2022 settlement, which includes $12.8 million in reimbursements, debt cancellations, and credit record corrections for impacted veterans and service members. As part of a pattern of misconduct that the courts established, Harris Jewelry was also held liable for misrepresenting the value of their items and making false representations regarding charitable donations to Operation Troop Aid Inc.
Veterans and active military personnel who are having trouble submitting their claims should contact the Attorney General’s Military and Veterans’ Rights Helpline at 800-382-3000. “Service members and veterans do not deserve to be defrauded by any business,” Raoul urged, highlighting the state’s continued commitment to protecting military personnel and reaffirming the unwavering commitment to holding businesses accountable. In this case, that includes making sure Harris Jewelry complies with its obligations under the settlement agreement, which include rectifying negative credit entries and vacating judgments against 112 consumers.
The Military and Veterans Rights Bureau also offers online and in-person seminars that address rights, benefits, and typical scams that target veterans for those who want additional advice. As part of their larger commitment to protect members of the military community, you can email[email protected] to seek more information about upcoming training sessions.
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