Hyundai of White Plains to pay state $32K over ad practices

The office of the New York state attorney general recently reached a settlement with Hyundai of White Plains LLC over what the attorney general said were deceptive advertising practices.

The company, on Westchester Avenue, will pay $32,500 in penalties and reform the way it advertises, according to a statement released by Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman’s office.

Many of the online and print ads from Hyundai of White Plains showed its vehicles priced with discounts or rebates only available for certain potential customers, such as military rebates or loyalty rebates for customers who purchased a vehicle within the last six months, the attorney general’s office said.

Other problems with the advertising included the use of footnotes or asterisks that modified the “principal message of an ad” and failing to mention promotions that were available for a limited time.

The settlement is part of a larger crackdown on deceptive practices at auto dealerships in the state.

Last month, Schneiderman”™s office announced a $13.5 million settlement with three dealerships, including White Plains Honda, for unlawfully hiding identity theft prevention services, credit repair and other costs in the sale or lease of cars.