Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a lawsuit against an Indianapolis car dealer alleging the dealer illegally rolled back odometers on vehicles sold to unsuspecting consumers believing they were purchasing lower-mileage vehicles.
The lawsuit alleges that KBB Auto Sales LLC — along with owners and employees Brandon Billingsley, Shannon Hayes and Nicolas Fortinberry — rolled back odometers by a combined total of more than 14 million miles on 216 known vehicles.
“This outright fraud unfairly gives a bad name to the good and honest people working in the used-car business,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Worse than that, these unethical tactics deceive consumers who buy these vehicles with rolled-back odometers. They wind up with higher-mileage cars and trucks with more wear and tear than they thought.”
The lawsuit alleges that the odometer tampering violates the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, the Indiana Odometer Act, the Federal Odometer Act and the Motor Vehicle Unfair Practices Act.
Attorney General Rokita seeks injunctive relief, consumer restitution, treble damages, civil penalties, costs and other relief.
“We will always work to hold these businesses accountable when they engage in this kind of misconduct detrimental to consumers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “And we will always work to get restitution for Hoosiers who have fallen victim to such reprehensible schemes.”
Attorney General Rokita offers the following tips for Hoosiers shopping for used cars:
- Do your research and know your budget prior to going to the dealership.
- Test drive the vehicle in a variety of conditions: highway, city streets and stop-and-go traffic.
- Get a vehicle history report to check for potential odometer issues, prior accidents and damage, salvage, rebuilt or flood damage title brands.
- Have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle.
- Check whether the vehicle has any open recalls, including safety recalls. This information can be obtained at safecar.gov.
- Ask to inspect the vehicle’s title, including the odometer disclosure.
- Closely inspect the final paperwork to ensure the price and terms match what was negotiated.
- Get all promises from the dealer in writing, typically on the “We-Owe” statement.
New PIO officer announced for Indiana State Police Evansville District
Valentine seeks change of venue for murder trial
Indiana Gov. Braun declares state of disaster emergency for 63 Indiana counties
Newton power plant to be closed
Lawrence County Board approves public safety tax referendum
Library district in solid financial shape
U.S. 41 road project continues in Knox County
Richland County death investigation
Vantlin named Heeps of Jeeps First Responder of the Year
Vincennes University to upgrade Beckes Park
Lawrenceville sewage plant visited by U.S. EPA
Two dead after head-on collision in Crawford County
First-ever statewide digital library resource program available in Illinois
Knox County approving preliminary solar project resolution
St Francisville to contract out bridge repair work
U.S. Postal Service will be closed in observance of Juneteenth, June 19
Feutz sworn in as new Bridgeport Police Chief
