Va. Attorney General Files Action Against Computer Company

Attorney General Bob McDonnell filed a legal action against Financing Alternatives, Inc., a Chesapeake-based company, alleging it takes computer orders across the nation and then does not routinely deliver the computers. 

"Virginia's consumer protection laws must be strongly enforced against those who receive payment for goods and then fail to deliver them as promised," Attorney General McDonnell said. "Our free enterprise system depends on trusting in the bargain."

The lawsuit alleges that the company marketed its computers to consumers with poor credit ratings. Consumers allegedly were led to believe that the computers they ordered would be shipped after three months of payments and that they would have to continue making payments for nine months after the computer was shipped. Consumers often did not receive the computers within the time period promised by Financing Alternatives, and some consumers did not receive the computers after making all such payments.

Violations of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act alleged in the suit include:

• misrepresenting or failing to disclose to consumers the conditions to be met before computers would be ordered, shipped or delivered;
• misrepresenting to consumers the reasons for delays in ordering, shipment or delivery;
• misrepresenting to consumers that Financing Alternatives is or was licensed by the Va. State Corporation Commission;
• misrepresenting to consumers that Financing Alternatives is or was in good standing with the Va. Attorney General's Office or the Better Business Bureau; and
• failing to disclose all conditions, charges or fees relating to a layaway agreement.

The suit was filed in the Chesapeake Circuit Court. It requests that the court enjoin Financing Alternatives from violating the Virginia Consumer Protection Act and that all money acquired by Financing Alternatives from consumers in transactions that violated the Act be returned to those consumers. The suit also seeks civil penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation of the Act.

Consumers may file complaints regarding Financing Alternatives with the Va. Office of Consumer Affairs. Complaint forms can be obtained by clicking here, or by calling the Office of Consumer Affairs at 804-786-2042 (in Richmond) or 800-552-9964 (outside Richmond). Completed complaint forms may be sent to: Office of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA  23218.