WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWNY) — A jeweler that had a store in Watertown for years scammed soldiers across the country out of millions of dollars, according to the New York Attorney General.
As a result, Harris Jewelry must pay these soldiers, forgive debt, and remove negative credit reports.
Some of the soldiers – it is not clear how many – were stationed at Fort Drum. Harris Jewelry had a store at the Salmon Run Mall from 2014 to 2021, according to the attorney general’s office.
“An investigation conducted by my office found that Harris’ Jewelry’s business practices were wholly self-serving, and they lured service members into their stores and encouraged them to buy inferior, overpriced jewelry via predatory financing deals,” Attorney General Letitia James said during a stopover in Watertown on Wednesday afternoon.
The national, multi-state comparison with Harris totals $34.2 million.
In New York State alone, 443 service members will receive $756,000 in debt forgiveness and 1,692 service members will receive refunds totaling $479,000. Another $150,000 from Harris will go to a program that supports veterans in Jefferson County.
“Today they are paying the price for the damage they have caused to thousands of soldiers and veterans across the country,” James said.
As part of the statewide settlement, Harris must liquidate all of its businesses.
As James described Wednesday, Harris hunted soldiers.
An example James gave: The jeweler sold something called “Mother’s Medal of Honor”. It cost Harris $77.70 for a medal, but they sold it for a staggering $799.
Then a “Protection Plan” would be added for an additional $79.99, and with other taxes and fees, the total cost of the “Medal of Honor” would increase to $974.31.
But wait, there’s more.
The soldier would then be charged an interest rate of $14.99 on the purchase, bringing the total for an item Harris bought for $77 to…
$1,039.
“It is abhorrent that Harris Jewelry built its business by taking advantage of young soldiers who were risking their lives to protect our country,” James said.
“Our troops bravely put our protection above their own and deserve to be treated with integrity and respect.
In all, James said, 46,000 military members and veterans nationwide were scammed by Harris Jewelry.
Harris Jewelry’s website was still active as of Wednesday but said all stores were “permanently closed due to the pandemic.”
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