SANTA ANA, Calif. (Oct. 21, 2016) — Certified Tire & Services Center Inc. and Certified owner Jeffrey Darrow have agreed to pay more than $1.4 million to settle a consumer protection suit brought by the Orange County District Attorney's Office, alleging that Certified had sold unnecessary parts and services and charging for services that were never performed.
In agreeing to settle, Certified did not admit liability, according to the DA's office, which said it it pursued an investigation of the company after receiving renewed complaints of unfair business practices in violation of terms of a 2008 injunction against Certified on similar charges.
Certified Tire operates 41 stores in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The dealership did not respond to Tire Business queries for comment.
The DA's office said it worked collaboratively with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) in pursuing the case. The BAR conducted numerous undercover car repair runs in Orange and Riverside Counties to uncover a renewed pattern of unfair business practices.