A.J. Perri, based in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, has been fined $100,000 by the state over deceptive business practices.

The fine was levied by the New Jersey Board of Master Plumbers and agreed to as part of a consent order with the state Attorney General's office.

The agreement followed an investigation into reports that A.J. Perri routinely performed expensive work that wasn't needed and used scare tactics to convince customers into a agreeing to work so sales personnel could meet sales goals, according to the report posted at NJ.com.

Attorney General Christopher Porrino said A.J. Perri technicians "used overly-aggressive and deceitful tactics to coerce consumers, many of them senior citizens, into paying for plumbing repairs and services that were unnecessary or far exceeded what was needed."

The company admitted no wrongdoing under the settlement, which spells out specific changes that must be made to protect customers in the future.