Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is calling on service members and veterans who were victims of predatory financing by Harris Jewelry to step forward and submit claims for refunds by December 21, as per a settlement reached in 2022. According to a recent news release, these individuals may be entitled to part of a fund exceeding $8 million after being deceived into purchasing overpriced jewelry with hidden costs, which was falsely promoted as a means to enhance personal credit.
Raoul emphasized that the jewelry retailer engaged in misleading practices, which included inflating prices and trapping service members in high-interest loans that led to thousands of dollars in debt and damaged credit scores. As per the settlement, Harris Jewelry has now stopped collecting on debts amounting to over $21.3 million for more than 13,000 consumers, and 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, and this being an example of agencies working to amend the wrongs made by deceptive businesses, it is worth noticing that more than 30,000 consumers are still eligible to claim their refunds and are thus encouraged to take timely action.
The 2022 settlement mandates significant restitution, including $12.8 million in refunds, cancellation of debts, and rectification of credit reports for affected service members and veterans. Harris Jewelry was also held accountable for inflating the value of their products and making unfounded claims about charitable donations to Operation Troop Aid Inc., which is an element of a pattern of malpractice identified by the courts.
Service members and veterans facing difficulties in filing their claims can reach out to the Attorney General's Military and Veterans' Rights Helpline at 800-382-3000, Raoul urges, stating, "Service members and veterans do not deserve to be defrauded by any business," he highlighted the state's ongoing commitment to protecting military personnel, affirming the unwavering dedication to holding businesses accountable which, in this instance, includes ensuring that Harris Jewelry fulfills its obligations under the settlement agreement, including vacating judgments against 112 consumers and correcting negative credit entries.
For those looking for more guidance, the Military and Veterans Rights Bureau also provides in-person and virtual presentations that cover rights, benefits, and common scams targeting veterans. More information about future training sessions can be requested by emailing [email protected], which is an integral part of their broader effort to safeguard members of the military community.
