Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced on Tuesday that the state has joined a multistate lawsuit against Mariner Finance, alleging widespread violations of multiple consumer protection laws. The suit claims that Mariner Finance charged consumers for hidden add-on products without fully informing them or, in some cases, without their consent to purchase. As a result, Mariner illegally added hundreds or thousands of dollars to the amounts owed by consumers, charging them $121.7 million nationwide in premiums and fees for add-on products in 2019 alone.
Attorney General Skrmetti emphasized his commitment to ensuring fair and honest treatment of Tennessee consumers by companies, stating that engaging in deceptive practices is illegal and wrong. The lawsuit also alleges that Mariner employs illegal, aggressive sales tactics to extend credit to new borrowers, which can lead consumers into a cycle of debt that is difficult to overcome.
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On April 1, 2024, the Court granted Tennessee’s joint motion to intervene, allowing the state to join the litigation by filing a Second Amended Complaint that includes the intervening states as parties. Mariner has 34 branches in Tennessee, according to its website. Consumers who believe they have been deceived by Mariner’s harmful practices can file a complaint with the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office, with more information available here.
The Second Amended Complaint includes as plaintiffs the attorneys general of Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin, in addition to Attorney General Skrmetti.
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