The state of Georgia has levied a record $5 million fine against a Louisiana-based marketing company that violated the state’s Fair Business Practices Actsent when they sent deceptive mailings in an attempt to bring customers to local car dealerships.

In announcing the fines against the Smart Automotive Group, the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs accused the company of telling consumers that they had won cars as prizes when they had not, misrepresenting monthly car payments, and falsely claiming that consumers with credit problems were pre-approved for loans of up to $30,000.

Commentary: Someone in the car dealership industry acting unethically? Say it isn’t so! Our kudos go out to the State of Georgia for taking action on this one – often state enforcement officials simply turn a blind eye.