Lindsay Auto has struck a deal with federal and Maryland regulators after being accused of dangling low car prices that often vanished once buyers sat down to sign. Under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission and Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, more than $75 million in charges could be eligible for refunds, and the company would be barred from using misleading advertising or financing practices. Maryland officials say the agreement also includes a $3.1 million civil penalty to the attorney general's office and a process to return money to consumers who were overcharged.
The settlement covers Lindsay Ford of Wheaton in Maryland, along with Lindsay Chevrolet in Woodbridge, Virginia, and Lindsay Chrysler‑Dodge‑Jeep‑Ram in Manassas, plus company owners and officers, according to the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland. That office says the refunds apply to purchases or leases between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025, when an advertisement listed a lower price than the buyer ultimately paid. The Stipulated Order also requires the dealerships to show the total price clearly and conspicuously and to obtain consumers' express consent before charging add‑ons, the announcement notes.
Who can get refunds and how
Maryland residents who bought or leased a vehicle at Lindsay Ford in Wheaton, or who bought or leased at the Virginia Lindsay locations after seeing an ad that listed a lower price, may be eligible to file a claim. As reported by the Maryland Daily Record, the attorney general's office said a third‑party claims administrator will reach out to people identified as eligible and will also run a claims process for others who want to apply. Those with questions can call the Consumer Protection Division at 410‑528‑8662, according to the Record.
What regulators found
The FTC's complaint says Lindsay dealerships enticed shoppers with teaser prices they routinely refused to honor, then tacked on so‑called mandatory fees or pushed customers into dealership financing and unwanted add‑ons. A random sample cited in the complaint found that 88 percent of transactions from 2020 to 2023 resulted in shoppers paying more than the advertised price, on average, more than $2,000 extra, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The suit quotes internal communications and sales training materials that, regulators say, show the practice was widespread rather than a one‑off sales tactic.
Wider crackdown on dealer advertising
Federal regulators have been signaling a broader crackdown that aims to force auto dealers to post the real bottom line, not a fantasy price that evaporates in the finance office. As a recent report on how regulators put 97 car dealers on notice detailed, the FTC has been pressing dealer groups to stop teaser pricing and hidden add‑ons, and local outlets covered the initial Lindsay complaint when it was filed. Consumer advocates say that if authorities keep up the pressure, dealerships may finally have to overhaul online listings that lure buyers into time‑consuming trips to the lot.
What to do if you bought from Lindsay
If you purchased or leased from a Lindsay location during the covered period, hang on to your purchase paperwork and keep an eye on your mail and email for claims notices. You can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 410‑528‑8662 or visit the announcement from the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland for updates on the claims process. You can also review the FTC's complaint and the Stipulated Order to see the specific allegations and the conduct the settlement bars.
Legal note
The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and officials say the settlement is still subject to judicial approval. The FTC filed the original complaint and laid out the allegations and requested relief in a December filing, as described in the Federal Trade Commission.
