BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden filed an agreement today with Western Auto Sales, prohibiting the dealership from engaging in harassing debt collection or repossession acts or practices. If the dealership fails to comply with the agreement, it will be subject to a $15,000 civil penalty.

An inquiry into Western Auto Sales’ business practices was started after the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division received consumer complaints about the dealer. A mentally-impaired consumer alleged that Western Auto Sales misled him during the sale of a car, while another consumer claimed deception in Western Auto Sales' transfer of a motor vehicle service contract. A third consumer complained that Western Auto Sales' agent threatened to arrest him and harassed his wife at her workplace when the agent attempted to repossess the car.

Western Auto Sales satisfactorily resolved the consumers' complaints. And under the terms of the settlement agreement, the operation must review its Internet website advertising and make all required changes to ensure its advertising complies with state and federal law. Additionally, the dealership must comply with the Idaho Motor Vehicle Service Contract Act in the sale of its motor vehicle service contracts and disclose all material terms and conditions relating to the receipt of a free motor vehicle service contract with the purchase of a car.

To reimburse the Attorney General Office for its attorney's fees and investigative expenses, Western Auto Sales paid $950 to the office.