A federal court has ordered Harris Jewelry to reopen its refund claims process and reach back out to thousands of consumers — mostly, servicemembers — who were duped by misleading marketing and sales practices.
Attorney General Michelle Henry is advising the many Pennsylvania consumers who were harmed to file refund claims to be eligible for the $10.9 million in refunds, and other relief, from the nationwide jeweler. Over $8 million is still available in the settlement fund.
The Federal Trade Commission recently announced the developments, which are the results of a federal lawsuit, joined by 18 states, including Pennsylvania, against Harris Jewelry.
The New York-based jeweler marketed to servicemembers, claiming purchases would improve consumers’ credit scores — they did not. Harris also sold protection plans, which they claimed were required, or else added them to purchases without consumers’ knowledge.
An estimated 32,000 consumers nationwide were impacted and are eligible for relief.
“This company posed as a staunch supporter of our Armed Forces, when in reality, Harris was only looking out for their own profits, which were inflated by false promises and illegal sales practices,” Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “Many Pennsylvanians are eligible for this relief, and with a relatively short window to file claims, I am urging those individuals to take action now.”
The new claims process is open until Dec. 21, 2024.
Many Harris locations were near military bases and the company marketed to servicemembers, using a slogan, “Serving those who serve.”
The federal court found that Harris violated a settlement of the lawsuit — which required refunds and cancellation of debt collection — by prematurely closing the refund portal process and failing to notify all impacted consumers.
According to the court order, Harris is also required to shut down operations and dissolve as a company.
In July 2022, the FTC and a group of 18 states took action and stopped the national jewelry retailer from cheating military families with illegal financing and sales practices. According to the complaint, the jewelry company deceptively claimed that financing jewelry purchases through Harris would raise servicemembers’ credit scores, misrepresented that its protection plans were not optional or were required, and added the plans to purchases without consumers’ consent. The company also allegedly violated numerous financial consumer protection laws, including the Military Lending Act.
The Office of Attorney General is encouraging consumers who purchased items from Harris Jewelry and paid for a Lifetime Jewelry and Watch Protection Plan, and have yet to file a claim or previously filed a claim but have not yet heard back from Harris Jewelry to request a refund via Harris’ claim website as soon as possible.
Original source can be found here.