(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois is now among a half-dozen states suing Mariner Finance for multiple alleged violations of consumer protection laws.
Mariner Finance is accused charging consumers for hidden add-on products that they either didn’t know about or didn’t agree to buy.
“Consumers thought they had entered into agreements to borrow and repay a specific amount of money, but Mariner quietly added hundreds or, in some cases, thousands of dollars," Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a statement.
In 2019 alone, the company allegedly charged people nationwide more than $121 million dollars in premiums and fees for add-on products.
The lawsuit also alleges that Mariner engages in illegal, aggressive sales tactics.
The lawsuit Raoul and the coalition filed asks the court to order:
-Full restitution to all borrowers affected by Mariner’s "unlawful practices".
-Repayment by Mariner of any unlawfully gained profits.
-Mariner to stop charging consumers for add-on products and cease other "harmful practices."
-Civil penalties.
The company has 29 branches in Illinois.
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