Sears Sued by State of NJ

The state of New Jersey is suing Sears, Roebuck and Co., claiming it cheated hundreds of customers at its New Jersey auto repair centers by charging for work that was never done or unnecessary.

State Attorney General David Samson filed a fraud complaint Thursday against the company after a two-year undercover investigation at 19 auto centers in New Jersey.

State investigators found more than 350 instances of violations of the state Consumer Fraud Act, Samson said.

The investigation found that Sears auto centers routinely charged for four-wheel alignments on vehicles that were built for two-wheel alignment. Other customers complained they were told they would receive a free inspection, only to be later charged for repairs.

"This was a systematic pattern of misleading consumers," said Gov. James E. McGreevey, who joined Samson in announcing the complaint.

The complaint was filed against Sears and gives specific allegations of fraud at centers in Livingston, Jersey City, Toms River, Union, Phillipsburg and Deptford. The other 13 centers under investigation may later be named in the complaint, said attorney general's spokesman Peter Aseltine.

New Jersey officials started the investigation after receiving a tip about possible fraud at Sears centers, Samson said. He did not specify who offered the tip. Investigators contacted customers who had repairs done at Sears after records were subpoenaed, Samson said.

The five-count complaint seeks financial restitution for customers, fines for violating the state's Consumer Fraud Act and a court order to stop the fraudulent business practices.

Samson did not have an estimate on how much money customers may have been overcharged or names of specific victims.

State officials said they hope the lawsuit will prompt other customers who may have been defrauded to come forward.

A call to Sears, Roebuck and Co. headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill. , was not immediately returned Thursday afternoon.

If you think you have had a problem with a Sears Auto Repair Center in New Jersey, call the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs at (973) 504-6534.

If you would like to make a complaint to Sears, you can call their Auto Repair Customer Relations at (800) 526-3682

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Author: NBC10/AP