In the 2009 Consumer Complaint Survey Report released July 27, 2010, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA), and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators (NACPI) compiled their annual list of the “Top 10 Complaints in 2009″ regarding consumer purchases. Just as it did in 2008, the “Auto” category ranked as the number one complaint that consumer protection agencies received. These complaints took the form of “misrepresentations in advertising or sales of new and used cars; lemons; faulty repairs and leasing and towing disputes.”
In the state of California, consumers are protected from automotive fraud. It is against the law for used car dealers to deceive consumers by advertising a vehicle to be in better condition than it actually is. Automotive fraud not only costs consumers at the initial purchase, but in the long run, as repair issues for “hidden” vehicle defects become more complicated and expensive to deal with.
At the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver, skilled California used car fraud attorney Howard D. Silver will help protect your rights if you believe that you have been cheated by a used car dealer. Please call 866-49-LEMON for a free consultation about your situation. Howard D. Silver will fight to recover money paid to dishonest auto dealers or repair shops, and will hold the dishonest party accountable for any other related damages you may have incurred along the way.
Consumers in Connecticut recently filed fraud complaints with the Department of Motor Vehicles in regards to an automobile dealership that closed. According to a report from The Hour, the dealership closed still owing customers money and services. Some individuals even provided the car dealership with a cash deposit for an automobile that they have yet to receive.
In addition, customers have complained of paying for vehicle repairs that have not been completed as a result of the dealership unexpectedly closing. While these customers have been given their cars back, minus repair work, many of the dealership’s other customers learned of its closure by visiting the premises and seeing vehicles being towed away from the lot.
A new bill was introduced by Senator Bob Duff, vice chair of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, regarding existing lemon laws in Connecticut. Senate Bill 1081, An Act Concerning the Functions of the Department of Motor Vehicles, went into effect in 2009, adding an extra disclosure provision for the sale of all used vehicles. The new law allows consumers to buy warranty protection for a used vehicle purchased on an “as is” foundation.
While some states provide equal consumer protection for new and used vehicles, used car fraud still takes place. After purchasing a used car, whether a consumer suspects that the dealer charged them for features that he or she was told were free, rolled back the odometer, or failed to reveal that the vehicle was a “lemon buyback” or a rental car, consumers may be entitled to their money back, damages and attorney’s fees for this type of violation.
