Attorney General Keith Ellison wins reforms to fraudulent business practices of used-car dealer Midwest Car Search

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Court orders Midwest Car Search and owner Scott Spiczka to comply with Attorney General’s demands that they cease their deceptive business practices and comply with Minnesota law

July 30, 2024 (SAINT PAUL) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today announced that the Court overseeing the Attorney General’s consumer-protection lawsuit against Fridley used-car dealer Midwest Car Search and owner Scott Spiczka has ordered the defendants to modify their business practices in accordance with the Attorney General’s demands. The Court’s order requires the defendants to: 

  1. Stop marketing and selling their used cars as “certified;”
  2. Make clear and conspicuous disclosures about the expensive, optional product known as “vehicle service contracts” that Midwest Car Search sells;
  3. Disclose and honor warranties required by law;
  4. Provide easy-to-understand “Buyer’s Guide” disclosures;
  5. Cease conducting business under an unregistered trade name that heavily targets and exploits Spanish speakers; and
  6. Provide disclosures and sales documents in Spanish whenever a sale is conducted in Spanish. 

The Order comes after the Attorney General petitioned the Court for these reforms and the Court found good cause that the Attorney General will prevail in its claims that Midwest Car Search and Scott Spiczka violated Minnesota law. It remains in effect until the Court determines whether to make the reforms permanent at the conclusion of the case.

Today’s order is the first development in the Attorney General’s lawsuit against Midwest Car Search and Scott Spiczka that was filed in Anoka County on April 23, 2024. The lawsuit alleges that Midwest Car Search: (1) misrepresents that its used cars are certified when they are not; (2) illegally adds expensive vehicle service contracts to consumers’ purchases without their consent; (3) refuses to provide warranties that it is required to provide by law; (4) fails to make accurate “Buyer’s Guide” disclosures and provide such disclosures in Spanish, as required by law; and (5) conducts business under an unregistered trade name that heavily targets and exploits Spanish speakers.

“On behalf of Minnesota consumers, I applaud the Court’s decision,” Attorney General Ellison said. “I will continue working to both hold Midwest Car Search accountable and to obtain refunds for consumers that fell victim to its business practices.”

The lawsuit remains on-going as the Attorney General seeks, among other things: (1) to make the business reforms ordered by the Court permanent; (2) refunds for consumers; (3) civil penalties; and (4) the Attorney General’s costs of investigation and attorneys’ fees.

The Attorney General’s Office encourages consumers with complaints about auto dealers to contact the Office online. Minnesotans can also contact the Office by phone at (651) 296-3353 or (800) 657-3787, or at (800) 627-3529 (Minnesota Relay). The Attorney General’s website offers several publications for consumers with helpful tips on and warnings about the car-buying process, including information about warranties and service contracts.