Koons Kia To Pay $1 Million To Clients For False Advertising: Official

OWINGS MILLS, MD — A car dealer in Owings Mills has agreed to return more than $1 million to customers and pay $100,000 in court costs after an investigation into false advertising and hidden fees, according to the Office of the Attorney General.

Koons Kia in Owings Mills charged customers more for vehicles than it initially advertised, which is not allowed under Maryland law, officials said.

In the Free State, businesses can provide the purchase price for a vehicle but omit tax and title fees. However, Koons Kia added on shipping costs if freight was required and car purchaser fees that were above the advertised price, according to prosecutors.

“Car dealers must honor the price they advertise for their vehicles,” Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said in a statement Tuesday. “I am glad that Maryland consumers will receive refunds for the fees that they paid above the advertised price.”

Based on the settlement, the Reisterstown Road vehicle dealer will stop charging car purchaser fees if they were not included in the advertised price for a vehicle. It will also stop charging customers for freight if the shipping costs were included in the advertised price of a vehicle.

While Koons Kia agreed to the settlement, prosecutors said the business denied any wrongdoing.

Those who are owed refunds do not need to do anything and will be contacted by the Consumer Protection Division, according to the Office of the Attorney General.

Those who have problems with purchasing vehicles or any other consumer transaction can contact the Attorney General’s Office by doing the following:

• Calling 410-528-8662 or 888-743-0023.
• Emailing consumer@oag.state.md.us.
• Filing a complaint online at www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov.