CrimeJul 26, 2022
Suspects Wanted in Arizona Jewelry Store Shooting Apprehended CrimeJul 26, 2022
Harris Jewelry to Pay Millions in Predatory Lending Settlement
The jeweler is accused of defrauding thousands of U.S. military members.
Accused of defrauding U.S. service members through predatory lending practices, Harris Jewelry will pay more than $34 million in a settlement deal announced last week by the Federal Trade Commission and 18 state attorneys general. (Image courtesy of Harris Jewelry’s Facebook page)
Hauppauge, N.Y.—Harris Jewelry will have to pay millions in refunds to customers and stop collecting on loans following a settlement deal announced last week by the Federal Trade Commission and 18 state attorneys general.
The Hauppauge, New York-based retailer, which catered to members of the military and their families, was the focus of an October 2018 complaint from the New York State Attorney General’s office.
The lawsuit alleged the retailer marked up its jewelry between 600 and 1,000 percent and misled service members so they would sign financing agreements with high interest rates.
Similar complaints were made in 17 other states.
The settlement, which extends to all 18 states, requires Harris Jewelry to issue $12.9 million in refunds to more than 46,200 customers who were said to unknowingly have paid for supposedly optional “lifetime protection plans.”
The retailer will also have to cease collections on $21.3 million in loans currently held by more than 13,400 customers.
When customers fell behind on payments, Harris Jewelry reported them to credit agencies, according to the attorney general’s office. Now, under the terms of the settlement, the company will also have to vacate judgments against 112 consumers, totaling more than $115,300, and delete any negative credit entries.
“The settlement, in which Harris Jewelry neither admitted nor denied the allegations, resolves these matters in the best interest of all its stakeholders,” Harris Jewelry said in a statement.
The settlement also requires Harris Jewelry to pay $1 million in total to the 18 states.
New York will receive $150,000, which Attorney General Letitia James will donate to Fort Drum, the largest military base in New York, and the site of a former Harris Jewelry store.
“It’s abhorrent that Harris Jewelry built their business by taking advantage of young servicemembers risking their lives to protect our country,” James said.
“Harris Jewelry claimed to serve and support our troops, but its business practices were entirely self-serving. For years, Harris Jewelry misled military members and saddled them with thousands of dollars of debt.”
The now-shuttered retailer operated on and near U.S. military bases. It closed all of its stores in May 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic but still has an online presence.
James’ office said Harris Jewelry violated the FTC Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Military Lending Act, the Holder Rule, and state laws in connection with jewelry sales and financing to members of the military.
There are three main accusations against the jeweler.
The company is accused of falsely telling customers that financing jewelry through the company would boost their credit scores, which was not true in most cases.
The credit was advanced through the “Harris Program,” an in-house financing plan. While banks usually consider a person’s credit score, income, and other factors, the Harris Program allegedly looked at a servicemember’s branch of service, the amount of time they had remaining on the term of enlistment, and the category of merchandise they purchased.
Harris Jewelry is also accused of misrepresenting its protection plans, claiming in several instances that protection plans were required to finance a purchase when it was actually optional.
Protection plans ranging in price from $40 to $350 were also said to be routinely added to customers’ bills without disclosure. In some cases, the cost of the protection plan allegedly surpassed the wholesale cost of the jewelry.
Lastly, the company allegedly did not provide written disclosures in its retail installment contracts or meet the authorization requirements for contracts required by law.
Its internet and print ads also did not include the required disclosures, as per the Truth in Lending Act, James’ office said.
In addition to these main accusations, the company was also said to sell low-quality goods.
“The jewelry itself was significantly overpriced and poor quality,” said James’ office. “The jewelry was not worth the price, and consumers often reported stones falling out, chains breaking, and the finish fading.”
Harris Jewelry was also accused of using a fake charity drive to draw in customers.
The stores ran an “Operation Teddy Bear” promotion, selling teddy bears dressed in military uniforms, claiming the proceeds would go to Operation Troop Aid, a charity that would send care packages to military members deployed overseas.
The OAG’s investigation found there was no legal contract between Harris Jewelry and Operation Troop Aid.
Operation Troop Aid shut down in July 2018 following an investigation by the FTC and the National Association of State Charity Officials, which looks into charities suspected of falsely claiming to support servicemembers and veterans.
“Today’s action against Harris Jewelry shows that companies that target our country’s servicemembers with false promises and deceptive sales practices will face serious consequences,” said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Servicemembers and veterans who entered into predatory financing loans with Harris Jewelry, starting in January 2014, will be eligible for restitution.
Those eligible will receive an email and a letter in the mail with a notification about the agreement.
Attorney General James and the FTC were joined in the agreement by the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and Hawaii's Office of Consumer Protection.
CrimeJul 19, 2022
Nehal Modi Convicted of Grand Larceny
IndependentsMay 06, 2021
Harris Jewelry Closes All LocationsMore on Crime
The Latest
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
