NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Acme Rent-A-Car, a small car rental company that drew national headlines after issuing customers speeding fines, is awaiting a decision on whether it violated Connecticut's Unfair Trade Practices Act.
The last of three hearings concluded on Wednesday, Oct. 10. The Connecticut Consumer Protection Department contends that Acme’s policy is deceptive and motivated by profit rather than the consumers' best interest. Hearing officer Robert H. Brinton Jr. has 90 days to decide on the case.
The department in early July charged Acme with violating the Unfair Trade Practices Act and asked the company to sign a cease-and-desist order promising to stop this practice. Acme’s refusal to comply with the request resulted in the hearings, which began in late August.
Each car in Acme’s fleet is equipped with a GPS tracking device, which can be used to monitor speed. The company’s practice is to deduct $150 from a customer's credit or debit card each time the vehicle exceeds 79 miles per hour for at least two straight minutes.
The Consumer Protection Department accused Acme of the following deceptive practices: failing to forewarn customers about the speeding policy and use of the GPS system, and failing to notify customers of the surcharges and to provide them with an opportunity to refute the speeding charges.
