The Federal Trade Commission and the Maryland Attorney General announced on Apr. 2 that Lindsay Automotive Group and its executives will return money to consumers as part of a settlement resolving allegations of deceptive advertising and unwanted add-ons that led buyers to pay more for vehicles than advertised.
The agencies said the action is important because it aims to protect car buyers from misleading pricing tactics, ensuring transparency in vehicle sales. Consumers who were charged a total of more than $75 million between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025, may be eligible for refunds. In addition to consumer redress, Lindsay will pay a $3.1 million civil penalty to the Maryland Attorney General’s office.
Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said: “Lindsay Auto misled consumers by advertising false low car prices and then adding mandatory fees and other charges during the car buying process. The Trump-Vance FTC is focused on ensuring that auto dealers competitors’ are transparently competing on price.”
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown also commented: “We filed this lawsuit because Lindsay dealerships misled Maryland car buyers into overpaying for their vehicles. This settlement puts money back in Marylanders’ pockets and puts a stop to these predatory practices. Our office is committed to ensuring that every Maryland consumer who does business with a car dealership is treated fairly.”
According to the joint complaint filed in December 2024, Lindsay Automotive Group was accused of systematically deceiving customers by advertising low prices but charging most buyers hundreds or thousands more due to hidden fees or unqualified rebates. The complaint also alleged that consumers were told they had to finance through the dealership instead of using their own financing options—including military credit unions—and were charged for unwanted add-ons such as service plans or tire protection.
The proposed order requires Lindsay dealerships to clearly disclose total vehicle prices excluding only government charges and obtain informed consent before any additional charges are applied. Notices about potential refunds will be sent out by the Maryland Attorney General’s Office; eligible consumers can confirm eligibility by responding as instructed in those notices.
The Commission approved filing of the proposed order by a vote of 2-0; Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson joined Commissioner Mark R. Meador in issuing a separate statement regarding this case.
