HARRISBURG, Pa. — Credit Connection Auto Sales in central Pennsylvania has reached a $12,500 settlement with the state’s attorney general for allegedly leasing vehicles that needed a considerable amount of repair work and using lease agreements that did not comply with federal law.

The business offers vehicles on a lease-to-own basis at its locations in Harrisburg, York and Carlisle. The Carlisle location also operates a motor vehicle repair shop.

The settlement, filed in the form of an assurance of voluntary compliance, requires the company to pay a $12,500 civil penalty for alleged violations of the Consumer Protection Law, the Pennsylvania Auto Regulations, the Truth in Lending Act and the Federal Trade Commission’s Used Car Rule. Additionally, under the terms of the settlement, the company must begin using lease agreements that comply with federal law within 90 days and comply in the future with the Consumer Protection Law and the Auto Regulations. 

The Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection received several consumer complaints about the company, which prompted an investigation. Those complaints claimed that the vehicles offered for lease by Credit Connection Auto Sales were represented to be in good working condition, but were later found to have mechanical problems that required repair work. And those repairs, consumers said, were often not performed well. Consumers also said the sales presentations at the dealerships were not always consistent and referenced misleading information.