By AP/KWMU
Lansing, Mich. – Ford Motor Credit has reached a settlement with Missouri, Illinois and 37 other states related to its leasing practices.
The deal affects more than 150,000 Ford customers who ended a lease before its expiration date after January 1, 1991.
Those customers could be eligible for restitution checks of $100 each. The attorney general's office estimates about 900 Missouri customers may qualify.
Investigators found that customers in the program who terminated vehicle leases early faced charges that were sometimes higher than the balance owed in the lease.
The settlement involves 1,300 Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers -- including 45 in Missouri. All told, the dealers will pay more than $6 million in legal fees and costs.
Customers who may be affected may call the administrator of the settlement at 1-800-221-3312.
More information is available at http://www.gilardi.com/fordcreditrclagsettlement.