The U.S. Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently released statistics showing that there were more than 14,500 complaints filed by consumers against auto mechanics in 2011. According to the BBB, the complaints were in addition to over 1.5 million inquiries concerning where to find a reliable automotive repair service. The sheer volume of complaints and inquiries illustrates car owners continual need for high-quality and honest repair work.
In order to ensure the best service possible and prevent any form of fraud or poor work being done on your car, the BBB offers the following tips to consumers:
- Inspect your vehicle’s warranty to determine whether it must be brought to an authorized dealer for repairs or if it can be worked on by a third party.
- When searching for a shop, ask friends for recommendations or use the BBB’s business list to find the best repair shop.
- Only bring your car to mechanics that display certification and use specialists for major work like brakes and engines.
- Get a written estimate for parts and labor before any work begins. Also, learn about the shop’s policies and methods before giving permission for repairs to begin.
- Have everything that was done (repairs, parts etc.) documented in writing to prove that it took place and can be covered by any guarantee that was provided by the repair shop.
If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of any form of car repair fraud, it is important that you immediately obtain legal representation for your case. Howard D. Silver has years of experience as an auto repair fraud lawyer in Riverside and can help. For a free consultation, call the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver at (866) 49-LEMON.
With tax season upon us, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is making sure that U.S. citizens are aware of the most common scams that target finances through taxes. The list, known as the “Dirty Dozen,” describes the top 12 tax scams that people may encounter this year and how they take advantage of victims in Southern California and around the country. The top scams, from greatest to least, are:
- Identity theft for bogus refunds
- Phishing via fake emails from the IRS
- Return preparer fraud by filing incorrect tax information
- Hiding income offshore to prevent it from being taxed
- Promises of “free money” to gain access to Social Security information
- False/inflated income and expenses reported for a greater tax return
- False Form 1099 refund claims
- Frivolous arguments concerning falsified or unfiled tax returns
- Falsely claiming zero wages to avoid taxes
- Charitable organizations and deductions abuse by lying about value of donations
- Disguised corporate ownership to confuse IRS collection
- Misuse of trusts to hide assets and avoid taxes
While any of these scams could occur at any time during the year, tax season sees an increase in the occurrence of many of them. Additionally, identity theft traps are prevalent year-round, but have added benefits for thieves around tax season to steal tax return payments from the government.
If you or a loved one is suffering from the effects of identity theft, Howard D. Silver, the Southern California identity theft lawyer, can help. For more information, call (866) 495-3666.
A string of consumer complaints has led the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to begin an investigation into 2006 to 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazers for fires in the driver’s side door. According to The Los Angeles Times, fires have occurred in the power window switch and related electrical components in the driver’s side door.
So far, NHTSA has received 12 complaints of smoke or fire in the Trailblazers, but fortunately none of the cars were destroyed and no one was injured. However, the fires have led to door parts being melted and seats singed. These incidents have been reported as occurring when the vehicle was moving, as well as when the engine was shut off and the vehicle was unattended. The problem is believed to be related to a switch part or door configuration limited to the 2006-2007 Trailblazers.
Currently, NHTSA is investigating approximately 309,000 vehicles, but has not issued a recall as the problem has not been diagnosed yet. Additionally, NHTSA has opened a similar investigation into fire problems with 2007 Toyota Camry sedan and RAV4 SUVs, which total more than 830,000 vehicles. The agency is currently investigating if Toyota and GM used power window switches from the same manufacturer and if there are any other vehicles which use the same switches.
When a vehicle has a defect that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of tries, you may be entitled to lemon law protection and receive either a replacement vehicle or your money back. If you find yourself in this position Los Angeles lemon law lawyer Howard D. Silver can help. For more information, call the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver today at (866) 49-LEMON for assistance.
The California State Senate recently approved tougher regulations for debt collection agencies. The new regulations would require debt collectors to provide proper documentation to collect debts. According to The Los Angeles Times, the proposition, known as the Fair Debt Buyers Practices Act, was passed in the Senate by a vote of 22 to 14 and now must be approved by the Assembly and Governor Jerry Brown.
While other provisions have been set up against unfair debt collection practices, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, California Senators believe additional protection is needed. The bill would require companies that buy consumer debt from other agencies to provide more documentation than was previously required. The documentation would show that the agency has the right to collect and that the amount they are seeking from the debtor is correct. Of those supporting the legislation, Senator Lou Correa from Anaheim was unfairly targeted for a $4,000 debt that someone with a similar name actually owed. The incident led to a court order for wage garnishment of the Senator.
Opponents of the bill say it would create an unfair burden on agencies and make the collection of legitimate debts too difficult.
Being targeted for debts that you do not owe, or being subjected to intimidation or pressure by collection agencies, is both unfair and illegal under federal and state law. Riverside unfair debt collection lawyer Howard D. Silver can protect you from such practices and halt agencies from pursuing you in such a manner. Call the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver today for a free consultation about your case at (866) 49-LEMON.
While each state has its own motor vehicle lemon law, regulations differ from state to state, making it important for consumers to understand how they are covered when buying a vehicle in a state they may be unfamiliar with. In Pennsylvania, a motor vehicle may be a lemon if the nonconformity (what you’re complaining about) affects the use, value, or safety of the vehicle and the defect is not repaired after at least three attempts by the manufacturer. In the alternative, if your vehicle is out of service for a cumulative total of at least 30 days during a specified period of time, it may also qualify for lemon law relief.
Compared to other states, Pennsylvania’s lemon law is not as favorable to the consumer. Under that state’s law, a new vehicle may be a lemon if the nonconformity occurs within one year following the delivery of the vehicle to the consumer, within the first 12,000 miles of use, or during the term of warranty, whichever comes first. Additionally, manufacturers may resell vehicles that have been returned as lemons so long as the manufacturer provides the same warranty originally given to the consumer and informs the purchaser in writing that the vehicle was returned as a lemon. Vehicles that have a brake or steering problem that is likely to cause death or serious injury cannot be resold.
Identifying your vehicle as a lemon and figuring out how much compensation you are entitled to, can be a difficult process. If you have a lemon in California, Los Angeles lemon law attorney Howard Silver can help you get a replacement vehicle or a refund of your money. Call (866) 49-LEMON today for a free consultation about your case with attorney Howard Silver.
