As widely reported in the media, Target Department stores was recently a victim of a massive security breach. Credit and debit card information belonging to consumers who made purchases between Black Friday and mid-December has been obtained by hackers and may be...
Month: December 2013
Attorney Dan Blinn will be a guest on December 28 “Law Talk”
On Saturday, December 28 attorney Dan Blinn will be a guest on WTIC 1080 AM's "Law Talk." Dan will be discussing consumer credit and the implications of the Target security breach. Tune in for tips on improving your credit score and protecting your identity. The...
Know Before You Go: Preparing to Buy a Car
Purchasing a car can be a difficult river to navigate for many consumers. Here are two things every consumer should do before they visit a car dealership. 1) Check your credit score Many consumers don’t learn their credit scores before they start to negotiate...
Announcement: Credit Report Webinar Rescheduled
The Understanding Credit Reports Webinar that was scheduled for Monday, December 9, 2013 at 6:00 PM EST has been rescheduled to Monday, January 13, 2014 at 6:00 PM EST. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience. To register for the January 13, 2014 webinar,...
Don’t be afraid to fight against auto fraud
If you believe that you have become a victim of auto fraud, it's likely that you have had some unpleasant interactions with your dealer. You'll likely be left with a bitter taste in your mouth and feeling that you have been short-changed in some way, but you may be a...
How to recognize vehicle warranty scams
Auto repairs are more than just an inconvenience -- they can be prohibitively expensive. For this reason, some people in Hartford feel the safe thing to do is to purchase a manufacturer’s warranty from their auto dealer. It is important to understand the difference...
Reminders for used car purchases in Connecticut
Many people consider buying used cars because they are often more affordable than brand-new cars. A used car purchase is a still a large transaction, however, and there is important information available for consumers in Connecticut to keep in mind. Connecticut law...
What are the different types of auto dealer fraud?
Buying a car can be a challenging and exciting process. To ensure they are not taken advantage of, consumers should be familiar with the different types of auto dealer fraud and the protections against auto dealer fraud. Types of auto dealer fraud There are several...
What are the possible outcomes if I have a “Lemon law” hearing?
We expect the new or used cars we buy are in good working condition, especially if they are relatively new or have a low mileage. Under Connecticut’s “Lemon Law” if you were sold a defective vehicle that is either at or under two years old or has a mileage at or under...
What can you do if you suspect auto dealer fraud?
Is your recently purchased used car already causing problems? It may have faulty components that were not disclosed at the time of purchase, the auto dealer may have failed to disclose it was involved in a prior accident or the dealer could even have been tampered...
Don’t get burned by these three common types of auto fraud
Studies show that around 1 in 10 property/casualty insurance claims are fraudulent. In fact, insurance fraud is close behind tax evasion amongst some of the most pervasive white-collar crimes. This means that the likelihood of experiencing the outcome of such fraud is...
What should I know about arbitration for a Lemon Law case?
When a Connecticut resident purchases a new vehicle and it fails to live up to its expectations, it is more than a personal disappointment. It could be a financial morass in which more and more money was poured into the vehicle in addition to making the payments for...
Connecticut pre-owned vehicle warranty protections
Consumers who buy a preowned car should not purchase someone else’s problems. They should know about Connecticut’s law that helps protect them from vehicle warranty problems. Coverage Under state law, warranties are required for a used car purchased from a dealer...
Spotting odometer tampering in a used car
Until the advent of digital odometers, tampering with the analog odometers was perhaps the most common type of fraud involved in used car sales in Connecticut and elsewhere. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration once estimated that more than 450,000 used...