Arkansas Attorney General Suing Seller of Invalid ID Cards, Driver's Licenses
By: News Release
Updated: September 20, 2012
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel filed a consumer protection lawsuit against a Las Vegas company accused of selling invalid international driver's licenses and identification cards to Arkansas residents on Thursday.
According to the lawsuit, American ID Solutions, operated by Saul G. Gomez of Las Vegas, fraudulently tout the ID cards as official, legal documents. In advertisements targeting Spanish-speaking consumers, American ID Solutions claims that the cards entitle holders to drive in any part of the world, rent a car in any city, obtain title and insurance and avoid most traffic citations.
"This company intentionally made false and misleading sales pitches to consumers who may be unfamiliar with the process of obtaining official identification cards or licenses," McDaniel says. "We have asked the court to order this company to cease its deceptive practices and stop the sale of these useless cards."
American ID Solutions sells its so-called international driver's licenses for $175 each and ID cards for $75 each. Though the documents bear a strong resemblance to legitimate driver's licenses, they serve no legal purpose.
Only two organizations in the United States are authorized by the federal government to issue International Driver's Permits: The American Automobile Association and the National Automobile Club. These organizations are permitted to provide permits only to residents who have a valid driver's license issued by a U.S. state or territory, and the permits are not a substitute for an actual license. Non-citizens cannot obtain a valid international driver's permit in the United States.
The lawsuit was filed in Washington County Circuit Court in Fayetteville.
The suit alleges that American ID Solutions and Gomez violated the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
McDaniel requested that the company be ordered to stop its illegal business practices, provide restitution to affected consumers and pay civil penalties.
According to the lawsuit, American ID Solutions, operated by Saul G. Gomez of Las Vegas, fraudulently tout the ID cards as official, legal documents. In advertisements targeting Spanish-speaking consumers, American ID Solutions claims that the cards entitle holders to drive in any part of the world, rent a car in any city, obtain title and insurance and avoid most traffic citations.
"This company intentionally made false and misleading sales pitches to consumers who may be unfamiliar with the process of obtaining official identification cards or licenses," McDaniel says. "We have asked the court to order this company to cease its deceptive practices and stop the sale of these useless cards."
American ID Solutions sells its so-called international driver's licenses for $175 each and ID cards for $75 each. Though the documents bear a strong resemblance to legitimate driver's licenses, they serve no legal purpose.
Only two organizations in the United States are authorized by the federal government to issue International Driver's Permits: The American Automobile Association and the National Automobile Club. These organizations are permitted to provide permits only to residents who have a valid driver's license issued by a U.S. state or territory, and the permits are not a substitute for an actual license. Non-citizens cannot obtain a valid international driver's permit in the United States.
The lawsuit was filed in Washington County Circuit Court in Fayetteville.
The suit alleges that American ID Solutions and Gomez violated the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
McDaniel requested that the company be ordered to stop its illegal business practices, provide restitution to affected consumers and pay civil penalties.
