Drivers receive refunds from Vroom settlement today

Drivers who ordered cars from the online dealer Vroom may soon receive refunds following a $1 million settlement related to delivery delays. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will distribute over $934,000 to affected consumers. The FTC accused Vroom of misleading customers about vehicle inspections and failing to provide proper updates on shipping timelines. They claimed that the company did not get buyers' consent for delays or offer timely refunds when deliveries were late. Vroom also failed to provide required information about warranties. In July 2024, the FTC filed a lawsuit against Vroom, citing multiple consumer protection violations. The commission's then-director, Samuel Levine, criticized Vroom for its misleading practices. Vroom has agreed to stop misleading consumers moving forward, although the company did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. A total of 20,361 consumers will receive checks from this payout. Recipients are advised to cash their checks within 90 days. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has recorded nearly 5,000 complaints about Vroom over the past three years. Customers have reported issues such as receiving cars that didn't match the descriptions, delivery delays, and problems contacting customer service. Vroom stopped operating its eCommerce platform in early 2024 but continues its other business operations, such as managing an automotive lending firm. The FTC warns consumers to be cautious of scams and reminds them that official refunds should not require payments or personal financial information.