Buying a used car always is a little bit of a gamble. You may choose to buy a car from an auto dealer because you feel better about that than buying one from a private party. However, auto dealers sometimes are sneaky and may try to sell you a car without disclosing...
Auto Dealer Fraud
Why Does the State Tolerate Auto Dealer Fraud?
The most frequently asked question that we hear from consumers who have been victimized by Auto Dealer Fraud is "How Do They Get Away With It?". We regularly see examples of auto dealers committing fraud, forgery, odometer violations, and the sale of dangerous cars....
Auto Dealer Fraud by A Better Way Wholesale Autos
The Connecticut Appellate Court, in a unanimous decision, recently upheld a decision by a Connecticut Superior Court Judge that A Better Way Wholesale Autos committed auto dealer fraud. The judge had found, following a trial, that the dealership had committed unfair...
Stopping Auto Dealer Fraud With One Phone Call
We frequently meet with new clients who are victims of auto dealer fraud. Many of them have done on-line research about the dealership before they meet with us, and they have discovered that many other consumers have also been ripped-off. Unfortunately, they didn't do...
Games Dealers Play: Tampering With Engine Lights
Buying a used car can be a frustrating experience. It can be even more frustrating when the check engine light comes on shortly after delivery. Many dealers will fix problems with the cars, but some dealerships will attempt to avoid their responsibilities by tampering...
NJ Dealerships Accused of Auto Dealer Fraud Settle Claims
Two New Jersey car dealership have agreed to pay $50,000 to settle claims that they engaged in auto dealer fraud. The agreement with the New Jersey attorney general, which was entered as a consent judgment in court, involved Newton Audi and Newton Volkswagen. The...
Games Dealers Play: Scratch and Win Mailing Scams
One particularly nasty scam favored by many car dealerships is the "Scratch and Win" promotion. In this scam, the dealer mails cards resembling instant lottery tickets to consumers. The consumer scratches the ticket and, not having fully understood the confusing and...
Car Dealer Found to Commit Auto Dealer Fraud
A Connecticut judge has issued a decision finding that A Better Way Wholesale Autos of Naugatuck, Connecticut engaged in unfair trade practices and committed auto dealer fraud when it refused to refund a deposit to an Manchester woman. The court awarded her a refund...
Games Dealers Play: Come Back in Six Months
Some car dealerships routinely make promises that they know cannot be kept. "Come back in six months" they say, "Your credit will be better and we can get you a lower payment." This tactic of auto dealer fraud can help a dealership close the deal when it is...
Games Dealers Play: Passing the Trash
Many consumers tell us that they purchased a vehicle because the car dealership told them that they were approved to buy only that car. This is a particularly nasty type of auto dealer fraud that we call "Passing the Trash". A car dealer passes the trash when it...
What are lemon laws?
Lemon laws provide many important protections for car shoppers, car purchasers and consumers. For that reason, anyone considering a car purchase or who has recently purchased a car should be familiar with lemon laws. What is a considered a lemon? What qualifies as a...
What makes a problematic vehicle a “lemon” under the law?
When we purchase a new car from a dealer, we have the right to expect the vehicle to conform and perform to the expectations advertised by the manufacturer, as well as the dealership. However, many cars do roll off the assembly line with problems that were not caught...
What if I buy a car that’s been in an undisclosed accident?
Buying a used car always is a little bit of a gamble. You may choose to buy a car from an auto dealer because you feel better about that than buying one from a private party. However, auto dealers sometimes are sneaky and may try to sell you a car without disclosing...
Setting a Budget BEFORE Car Shopping
We continue our blog series on things to do before car shopping at a dealership. One important step to take before visiting a dealership is setting a budget. I bought my first car in 1982. Although I had graduated high school and had two years of college, I was...
Setting a Budget When Car Shopping
I bought my first car in 1982. Although I had graduated high school and had two years of college, I was financially naïve. I had never learned how to set a budget or how to manage credit. I was, in that sense, very much like many consumers today. Fortunately, the...
Check Your Credit Report Before You Start Car Shopping
The next article in our blog series on things that people thinking of buying a car should do before they visit a dealership addresses the importance of checking credit reports. According to a 2019 study,over 85% of new car purchases and over 55% of used car purchases...
The Way We Buy Cars
Not many people are car shopping during the COVID-19 shutdown. However, once businesses re-open and people get back to work, car dealers will be aggressively marketing to the public. In order to help our clients and friends avoid becoming a victim of the Games...
Toxic Car Dealerships
A recent lawsuit filed by employees of a New Jersey auto dealer shows the toxic atmosphere that exists in some car dealerships. While there are many car dealers that respect their employees and customers, we have heard many stories from employees and consumers about...
Avoiding Repossessions During COVID-19 Shutdown
Are you concerned about avoiding a repossession due to lack of work or reduced income because of the COVID-19 pandemic? Consumer Law Group Managing Attorney Dan Blinn offers advice on dealing with auto lenders in this new video.
Why Does the State Tolerate Auto Dealer Fraud?
The most frequently asked question that we hear from consumers who have been victimized by Auto Dealer Fraud is "How Do They Get Away With It?". We regularly see examples of auto dealers committing fraud, forgery, odometer violations, and the sale of dangerous cars....