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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Many consumers contact us after they discover that they paid significantly more than the "sticker price", or the manufacturer's suggested retail price ("MSRP") for a new car. Dealerships caught overcharging a consumer are quick to point out that the MSRP is just the...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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....
A recent study by the Consumer Federation of America found that there were 70 million recalled cars that were on American roads. "While these open recalls present a clear hazard to the occupants of these vehicles, they are also a hazard to the rest of the driving...
Consumer Law Group Managing Attorney Daniel Blinn was recently interviewed by NBC 30 News about a consumer who hired a Home Improvement contractor who did not finish the job.The story, which broadcast on November 8, 2019, discussed a Wallingford resident who hired a...
A Connecticut consumer recently won an Auto Warranty claim in United States District Court. The consumer had sued Brandfon Honda in Branford Connecticut. The dealership had sold the vehicle pictured above as a certified-pre owned car. The jury found that the...
