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In a lawsuit filed in Beaumont, Texas, and subsequently settled out of court, there were allegations
that the coin companies improperly promoted, marketed, advertised and sold precious metal coins to
customers.
The Petition asserted several complaints and causes of action against the coin
companies, including negligence, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and violation of the Texas Deceptive
Trade and Practices Act.
Some former customers of these companies allege in lawsuits that the coin companies made false representations
to encourage the customers to purchase high-priced precious metal coins. These customers claim,
among other things, that the coin companies improperly assessed the value of coins and made misleading
statements concerning the origin and investment value of these coins.
At a court hearing on August 31, 2006, a former top salesperson at Universal Coin & Bullion
testified that he and other company salespersons were trained to “pitch heat” (i.e.
fabricate stories) to current and potential customers regarding the coins.
Additionally, there
has been testimony of credit card abuse and sending coins to customers that they did not purchase. |