Auto fraud attorneys are available at the Consumer Action Law Group to help victims of car scams. Auto fraud lawyers help buyers get their money back and cancel illegal contracts at a very low upfront cost to them. You can talk to our car dealership lawyers if you have any suspicion of being a victim of auto fraud.
Use FindLaw to hire a local auto dealer fraud lawyer to assist you with problems like "bait and switch," odometer tampering, and car warranty scams. How do I choose a lawyer?
If you would like to hire an attorney to help you with your car repossession, you have many options online. As you begin your search, however, make sure to look for a specialist who understands repossession law. That is, look for a bankruptcy attorney or a debt relief attorney local to your area.
There are many scams that our car dealership lawyers can identify to help you get your money back. 2. Return your car to the dealer and get out of your contract Our attorneys can help you return your car and get you out of your contract for a vehicle.
If you think you were sold a car with higher mileage than what’s shown on the odometer, a lawyer for car problems can help you get just compensation. Dealership fraud lawyers can also help if you bought a vehicle with undisclosed crash damage.
File an official complaintIf you have concerns about false advertising, you can report the dealership to the Federal Trade Commission.If there was a problem with your contract or your loan terms, report the dealer to the consumer protection office in your state.More items...•
Here are the top five tricks dealers use to rip you off when you're buying a car.Mixing negotiations. Most car shoppers are fixated on the amount they can spend each month for a car, and salespeople know this. ... Marked-Up Financing. ... The Spot Delivery Scam. ... Unneeded Extras. ... Extended Warranties.
The Consumer Services Division Hotline is 1-800-HELPFLA (1-800-435-7352). All other complaints against license Florida dealers should be filed with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at the regional office responsible for the dealership.
Report a problem with new car dealership....New Car Dealer ComplaintAgency: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.Division: Vehicle Safety Licensing Complaints.Phone Number: (518) 474-8943.Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:15 AM - 4:15 PM.Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours.
Most car shoppers focus only on negotiating the price of the car. That's fine with dealers, because they can easily give you a good price while completely ripping you off on the financing and trade-in. If you focus instead on your trade-in, that's fine too.
10 Negotiating Tips to Beat Salesmen at Their Own GameLearn dealer buzzwords. ... This year's car at last year's price. ... Working trade-ins and rebates. ... Avoid bogus fees. ... Use precise figures. ... Keep salesmen in the dark on financing. ... Use home-field advantage. ... The monthly payment trap.More items...•
Florida has no “cooling off” period or other specified time within which a buyer may voluntarily and unilaterally return the vehicle free of penalty and cancel the sales agreement in typical transactions. Once you sign, the vehicle is yours.
Florida's Lemon Law applies only to new or demonstrator motor vehicles or recreational vehicles sold or long-term leased in the state. There is no Lemon Law for used cars in Florida.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles licenses and regulates new and used Dealers, wholesales and manufactuers in the state and has a list of searchable active licensees available to the public on their website.
There is no “cooling-off” period in New York for car purchases. Some dealers may tell you that you have three days to change your mind. This is not true. But in New York City, you have 48 hours to look over a contract before signing while the dealer holds the car.
The New York State New Car Lemon Law provides a legal remedy for consumers who are buyers or lessees of new cars and certain "used" cars that turn out to be "lemons." If a car does not conform to the terms of its written warranty and the manufacturer or its authorized agent is unable to repair the car after a ...
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regulates all repair shops, inspection stations, dealers, vehicle dismantlers and other related businesses in NY State. To legally operate as such a business, you must register with the DMV.
Talk to Our Lawyers that Deal with Car Dealerships If This Happened to You 1 You bought a car and paid more than the advertised price, 2 You bought a car and it broke down soon after you drove off the lot, 3 You bought a car without being told that it has been in an accident or that it is defective or has frame damage, 4 You bought a car with a warranty that the dealer won’t honor, or you are being told that your repair is not covered due to exclusion, or 5 You bought a car and later found out that the car dealer has lied to you.
Consumer Action Law Group is dedicated to helping victims of auto fraud. They have a team of lawyers that sue auto dealers that work with the client and guide the client on the best course of action; some cases do not require legal action to get resolved.
You bought a car and it broke down soon after you drove off the lot, You bought a car without being told that it has been in an accident or that it is defective or has frame damage, You bought a car with a warranty that the dealer won’t honor , or you are being told that your repair is not covered due to exclusion, or.
Laws in California, like California Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights, are designed to protect innocent consumers and car buyers who think they are getting a good deal when they are actually being sold a car that was in a prior accident, or a vehicle that is defective, or a contract for more than the advertised price.
The contract may not accurately reflect that there were pre-existing issues that were not mentioned in the contract. Some contracts may attach extra options and accessories, such as a warranty plan, that a car buyer was not informed about when purchasing a vehicle which resulted in an increase in the total price. 3.
Many buyers are forced to spend money trying to fix engine problems and mechanical issues after buying a defective car. An experienced auto fraud attorney will know when it is best to file a lawsuit and sue dealership service departments for not repairing a car after many attempts.
There are many scams that an auto fraud attorney can easily identify to help buyers get their money back. The auto dealer fraud attorneys at Consumer Action Law Group are very familiar with dealership fraud and it has been their mission to defend buyers from the sale of defective cars.
If you've recently purchase a car and suspect some wrongdoing by the car dealer, you may be a victim of auto dealer fraud. An auto dealer fraud lawyer can help with unfair business practices such as failure to disclose damages, price packing, and misleading dealer add-ons.
Detailed law firm profiles have information like the firm's area of law, office location, office hours, and payment options. Attorney profiles include the biography, education and training, and client recommendations of an attorney to help you decide who to hire.
It may also be possible to stop a creditor from repossessing a vehicle by filing a claim of exemption with the court. It is important to remember that creditors do not have a legal obligation to inform the vehicle owner, or debtor, of the intent to repossess the vehicle.
State specific requirements for repossessions may be found by contacting the State Attorney General of your state of the local consumer protection agency. Additionally, a credit counseling organization may help with financial issues.
After a vehicle has been repossessed, the creditor will generally keep the property or sell in in order to pay off the remaining debt. Each state has different regulations regarding the sale of repossessed property. The debtor may retain some rights to the property even after it has been repossessed, including a right:
This is beneficial because a repossession can remain on someone’s credit report for up to seven years after the original date of delinquency and can have a negative impact on their credit score.
The debtor may retain some rights to the property even after it has been repossessed, including a right: To be notified when and where the property will be sold; To be notified what will be done with the property once repossessed; To demand the property be sold, even if the creditor wishes to keep it; and/or.
Should the debtor default on their loan, or become behind on their payments, the creditor may legally repossess the vehicle as outlined in the loan agreement. Vehicle repossession can occur until the time at which the final payment is made. An automobile repossession may also occur should the debtor not maintain proper car insurance.
It may be tempting to attempt to hide a vehicle to buy time to pay off a creditor and avoid repossession. In most states, doing this will not violate a law on repossessing vehicles unless it is done with intent to defraud the bank. For example, if an individual usually parks their vehicle in a locked garage, they may continue to do so. However, in some jurisdictions, deliberately hiding a vehicle from a repossession company is a crime.
A defective car repair is a repair that is improperly done on a vehicle, as discussed above. A defective product recall is different and may be caused by a car defect which is the result of the vehicle’s manufacturer.
If a repair is not properly completed, it can result in further damage or even injury to the passengers. A defective car repair can render a vehicle unsafe to drive. A vehicle that is unsafe to drive can result in physical damage to the vehicle itself, making further repairs difficult or impossible. It can also present risks to a driver, passenger, ...
One important step an individual can take to protect themselves is research the mechanic or repair shop they plan to use.
Since vehicles play such important roles in our everyday lives, it is important to have the help of a consumer lawyer in defective car repair situations. Car repair issues can inhibit your ability to work, take care of children and complete everyday tasks.
In most cases, mechanic work is done in accordance with a contract between the shop mechanic and the customer. There will be terms of payment, the length of time the repair is expected to take, and any other concerns prior to the mechanic beginning work.
An automobile recall may become necessary when a vehicle part does not comply with the federal motor vehicle safety standards and/or there is a safety related defect in the equipment in the vehicle.
Should a lawsuit be necessary, a lawyer can ensure your rights are protected, claims are properly filed and represent you during court proceedings if necessary. A lawyer will work to provide the best possible outcome for your case.
NHTSA estimates that odometer fraud costs American car consumers more than $1 billion each year. Texas consumers can use both the Federal Odometer Act and the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act to sue dealers in cases of odometer fraud.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines odometer fraud as the “disconnection, resetting or alteration of a vehicle’s odometer with the intent to change the number of miles indicated.”.
The dealership’s loan officer then tells the consumer their credit score disqualifies them from financing, or financing at a specified promotional rate. Customers either must finance the vehicle at a higher interest rate or walk away entirely. Sometimes dealers commit fraud by concealing a vehicle’s damage history.
Sometimes dealers commit fraud by concealing a vehicle’s damage history. If the dealer hides or lies about past crashes, damage stemming from neglect or flood damage, or knowingly provides you with an inaccurate history for the vehicle, the dealer has violated the law.
Buying a vehicle can be difficult. Customers sometimes feel anxious about their transportation needs, and dealership sales staff often cross the boundary between bold salesmanship and illegal practices.
If you think you have been a victim of auto fraud, contact Allen Stewart. The consultation is free.
Hiring a lawyer will help you manage these legal issues the right way and reduce stress. Below are some tips for how to hire the right car repossession lawyer for you…
In many cases, if your car is being repossessed, you may consider filing for bankruptcy. Whether you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy will impact how you handle your car repossession.
Lawyers will often provide free consultations to help you decide if you’d like to hire them and to get the basic facts of your case. A free consultation is a good opportunity to get a feel for the lawyer and also provide them with basic information about your case.
It’s a red flag if a lawyer is not upfront about how they charge for their services. Be wary of these kinds of lawyers.
Having your car taken back by a lender is understandably a terrible experience, and you might be wondering what your options are. Although there are steps you can take on your own, a lawyer knowledgeable about car repossession can help. Most importantly, they can explain the car repossession process and provide you with options specific to your situation.
To find your local bar association, simply Google “bar association” and the name of the city you are in.
Judges have ultimate control over court proceedings. Further, lawyers can’t force them to take your side.
Nolo is a part of the Martindale Nolo network, which has been matching clients with attorneys for 100+ years.
The process of taking the car from you is called " repossession .". Each state has its own rules regarding repossession . If your car lender repossesses your car, van, motorcycle, SUV, or another motor vehicle, you'll need to examine your goals and decide if it's worth paying for an attorney to help you.
If your car lender repossesses your car, van, motorcycle, SUV, or another motor vehicle, you'll need to examine your goals and decide if it's worth paying for an attorney to help you. In some cases — say the lender repossessed your car even though you weren't actually late on payments or you want to avoid a deficiency judgment — you probably need a lawyer to assist you. In other instances, like if you were late on payments but have money available and want to keep the car, it often makes sense to use that money to reinstate the loan or redeem the repossessed car rather than hire an attorney.
In some states and under some loan agreements, you may reinstate your loan by paying the past-due amount plus the costs of repossession and related expenses. If you reinstate the loan, you must make future payments on time and meet the other terms of your reinstated contract to avoid another repossession.
breached the peace when repossessing the vehicle (for example, by using or threatening to use physical force against you to take the car or removing the car from a closed garage without your permission)
When your lender sells the repossessed car at an auction, you can attend and bid on the vehicle. Keep in mind that you could still be on the hook for any deficiency if you buy the car at the auction.
You're In the Military. Under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), a lender must get a court order before it can repossess your car if: you're on active military duty. you signed the loan agreement before you went on active duty, and.