LYNCHBURG (WSLS 10) - Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced Friday his office has filed a Complaint against Virginia Silversmiths, Inc., a Lynchburg-based company that offered silver repair and restoration services, and company president Lindsay W. Martin for alleged violations of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
Virginia Silversmiths and Martin allegedly accepted payments and items for repair and restoration without performing the promised work or returning the items.
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The Complaint seeks an injunction against further VCPA violations, restoration of payments and property to at least six consumers owed nearly $3,000, and civil penalties.
Affected consumers are encouraged to report any similar incidents to Attorney General Herring's Consumer Protection Section.
The lawsuit alleges that, in multiple instances, Virginia Silversmiths and Martin failed to perform the services they advertised and agreed to provide. In some cases, the company and Martin have taken payment for services that the company subsequently failed to perform and then refused to return possession of valuable silver goods to their respective owners upon request.
Some complainants claim that Virginia Silversmiths has been in possession of their silver goods for over two years.
The Complaint filed in the Circuit Court of the City of Lynchburg alleges that Virginia Silversmiths and Martin violated the VCPA in the following manner:
The Complaint asks the court to enjoin Virginia Silversmiths and Martin from violating the consumer protection statutes mentioned and to award restitution to any affected consumers, in Virginia and elsewhere.
The suit also seeks an award of civil penalties of up to $2,500 per willful violation, and reimbursement of the Commonwealth's costs, including reasonable investigative expenses and attorney's fees.
Any consumers with unresolved complaints involving Virginia Silversmiths, Inc. are encouraged to keep any relevant documentation and report the incident to Attorney General Herring's Consumer Protection Section by filing a complaint HERE.