Pennsylvania AG settles $101K dispute with pest-control company

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Wednesday it reached a $101,430 settlement with a Utah-based pest control company with Pittsburgh offices in what Shapiro’s office described as a deceptive business practices case involving door-to-door solicitation.

Shapiro’s office initiated the investigation following consumer complaints to Franklin Park officials about Aptive Environmental LLC, which did not have the required borough permit for solicitation.

“Pennsylvania consumers will no longer be pestered by this company and we’re getting them their money back,” Shapiro said in a statement. “When a business chooses to operate in our commonwealth, it’s on them to follow our consumer protection laws.”

The settlement includes $57,635 in restitution for more than 300 Pennsylvanians harmed by the company’s practices, Shapiro said. They will receive compensation checks from the state.

The individual restitution checks will vary by consumer, but amounts are expected to range from $45 to $245, said Joe Grace, a Shapiro spokesman.

An Aptive Pittsburgh branch manager declined to comment on the settlement.

According to the attorney general’s investigation, Aptive’s sales members failed to provide Pennsylvania consumers with service agreements and notice of cancellation. The company also disregarded cancellation requests. Consequently, those enrolled in a one-year agreement with Aptive were often unaware that under the terms of service they would be required to repay the “discount” if they canceled their contract within the first year.

Victims may email the Bureau of Consumer Protection at scams@attorneygeneral.gov or call at 1-800-441-2555.