Attorney general orders Bayside car dealership to
pay restitution after allegedly scamming customers
Photo via Google Maps
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | NOV. 27-DEC. 3, 2020 5
BY JACOB KAYE
A Bayside car dealership that allegedly
engaged in deceptive businesses
practices targeting Chinese-speaking
customers has been ordered by a Queens
judge to pay restitution to at least 21 people,
New York State Attorney General
Letitia James announced on Tuesday.
Star Toyota of Bayside, located at
205-11 Northern Blvd., allegedly targeted
Chinese-speaking customers
inside Chinese-language publications,
inviting them to come speak with the
dealership’s Chinese-speaking sales
team, according to James. After negotiating
a price with the Chinese-speaking
staff, the customer would passed off to
an English-speaking staff member, who
would give the customer a contract with
a higher than agreed upon price, the AG
said.
To further the scam, the sales representatives
would allegedly add items, including
unwanted warranties, service
contracts and theft insurance, to the
contract, according to the authorities.
Additionally, Star Toyota of Bayside often
didn’t give customers copies of the
contracts.
The car dealership also would submit
inflated or fabricated personal financial
information to its lenders to secure
loans that the customers struggled
to pay, according to James.
After purchasing cars, Chinesespeaking
customers who were unfamiliar
with the business of buying a car
were told by sales staff that they should
give a cash tip.
“Stealing from our immigrant
communities by taking advantage of
language barriers is not only illegal,
but downright shameful,” James said.
“New York values its immigrant communities,
and we will not stand idly by
while they are targeted. I look forward
to returning hard-earned money back
into the pockets of consumers, and I am
proud to be able to fight for the rights of
all New Yorkers.”
Star Toyota of Bayside resolved the
allegations against them by agreeing
to pay $100,000 in civil penalties to the
state of New York and $186,855 in restitution
to 21 of their customers.
A 90-day window has also been
opened for additional customers to come
forward and claim restitution.
Any customer who believes they
might have been deceived by Star Toyota
from Jan. 1, 2014, to March 1, 2018,
is encouraged to file a complaint by
calling 800-771-7755.
Representatives of Star Toyota in
Bayside did not respond to request for
comment.
Don’t delay.
Early lung cancer detection
can help save lives.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.
When found early, it is more likely to be successfully treated.
Talk to your healthcare provider about risk factors and
scheduling your lung cancer screening today.
To schedule a screening, call 718-888-2062
or visit nyp.org/queens-lung-cancer-screening
/QNS.COM
/queens-lung-cancer-screening
