Elderly Veteran, PSLS Client Files Suit Against Watseka Car Dealership Over False and Misleading Scratch-Off Advertisement

KANKAKEE AND IROQUOIS COUNTIES — Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) recently filed a lawsuit alleging that Watseka Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Inc., a car dealership in Watseka, together with automotive marketing business Dealer Ignite, defrauded an elderly veteran using a scratch-off advertisement. The lawsuit alleges Mr. Robert Bakken, an 84-year-old resident of Saint Anne, believed he won $10,000 after the scratch-off numbers on the advertisement appeared to reveal a match.

When Mr. Bakken called Watseka Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Inc., as directed by the advertisement, a representative confirmed that he had “good numbers” and to “come on down.” However, when he arrived at the dealership, he was not given a prize. Instead, Mr. Bakken was coerced and pressured into trading in his SUV in exchange for the purchase and financing of a newer SUV. When he arrived at Watseka Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Inc., Mr. Bakken owned his SUV outright. When he left, Mr. Bakken had a new SUV with payments that he could not afford on his fixed income.

Mr. Bakken alleges in a Complaint filed in Kankakee County Circuit Court that Defendants Watseka Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Inc. and Dealer Ignite violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, Illinois Prizes and Gifts Act, and are liable based on claims of unjust enrichment and common law fraud. Mr. Bakken alleges that the practices are harmful not only to him but others as well.

The Complaint includes additional claims against assignee of the loan, First Financial Bank, for failing to honor Mr. Bakken’s requests to cancel and refund warranties.

Businesses across the nation target the elderly. The FBI indicated in a 2023 report that more than $3.4 billion of losses were suffered by individuals 60 years or older in the United States as a result of scams that specifically target that demographic. That’s an 11% increase from the year 2022.

PSLS Staff Attorney Chloe Juergensen said, “Businesses shouldn’t be able to profit off of anyone’s vulnerabilities. Mr. Bakken’s case — though not an anomaly — is calling for the businesses that defrauded him to be held accountable. Mr. Bakken has given a lot to his country and community. It’s disappointing to see someone take so much from him in return.”