5 On Your Side

Customers to get refunds in Raleigh Geeks scam

Customers who are entitled to a refund in a scam involving the Raleigh Geeks repair business will finally get their money, according to the Attorney General's office.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Customers who are entitled to a refund in a scam involving the Raleigh Geeks repair business will finally get their money, according to the Attorney General's office.

WRAL's 5 On Your Side began looking into the computer repair shop in 2013 when customers reached out about iPads and cell phones submitted for service that were never returned.

In 2015, a Superior Court judge ordered the business to pay $445,000 in civil penalties for misleading dozens of customers. Owners Timothy Staie and Mark White were barred by the judge from operating the same kind of business again in North Carolina.

Last week, a judge ordered White to pay $10,425 in restitution to customers who were misled. An additional $9,574.47 will be paid to the North Carolina Attorney General's Office.

Last week, the case was back in court where White agreed to a much lower settlement of $20,000. Part of the money will go to customers. Staie did not show up. Investigators with the Attorney General's office are working to find him.

Investigators said they also recently found out the men were operating a computer repair business in Wilmington, which violates the court order, but said the shop is now under new ownership.

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