Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has filed a lawsuit against Progressive Leasing over allegedly violating a state disclosure law.
An Office of the Attorney General investigation found that Progressive Leasing and its merchant partners engaged in widespread non-compliance with The Rental Purchase Agreement Act’s (RPAA) disclosure requirements. RPAA requires that all leasing fees are clearly and conspicuously shown via a hang tag attached to the product to consumers considering rent-to-own financing as an option.
“This company used deceptive practices to take advantage of low-income Pennsylvanians,” said AG Shapiro. “Consumers deserve to have all the information about a rental purchase agreement, so they can make an informed choice that makes the most sense for them and their family. My office will continue to enforce laws designed to inform and protect Pennsylvania consumers.”
According to their website, Progressive Leasing partners with thousands of retail locations nationwide, offering lease-to-own purchase options on furniture, electronics, jewelry, tires & wheels, mobile devices, appliances, mattresses, and more. Some of their partners include Ashley Furniture, Best Buy, Big Lots, Cricket Wireless, Kay Jewelers, Lowes, and several local businesses and corporations.
According to the Attorney General, Pennsylvanians exploring rent-to-own options should know that:
- If shopping at a brick-and-mortar store, you should look for physical tags on the property that show four things: the rental payment amount, the cash price, the total number of rental payments required to own the property, and the full cost of the lease.
- If you can’t find physical tags on a product after September 8, 2022, the store or finance company will be permitted to provide this information via electronic means.
- These transaction disclosures are required to be made to you under the law before the business provides you with a rental-purchase agreement.
- After September 8, 2022, the store and finance company will also be required to:
- Confirm that you have viewed and acknowledged the transaction disclosures before they provide you with a rental-purchase agreement.
- Provide you with an electronic copy of the transaction disclosures.
- Make transaction disclosures available in multiple languages.
Anyone who may have been victimized by Progressive Leasing or any other “rent-to-own” company is urged to file a complaint online or contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling 800-441-2555 or emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
