People in New Jersey use their vehicles every day to get to various places that they need to go to. However, cars do not last forever and people need to buy new vehicles from time to time. People have different options on where to purchase their vehicle, but many...
Auto Dealer Fraud
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...
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...
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...
Beware of hurricane damaged vehicles
Connecticut managed to avoid any extensive damage from the historic 2020 hurricane season. However, used car buyers should still be on the lookout for vehicles that may have suffered from flood damage. Often, flood-damaged cars are transported far beyond their...
What is odometer fraud?
When people in Connecticut purchase a used car, one feature they may pay particular attention to is the milage on the vehicle. In general, vehicles with lower mileages will have less wear-and-tear and thus may be more reliable vehicles. However, not all dealers are...
State law protects buyers of used cars before and after the sale
Connecticut has laws which authorized used car dealerships have to follow. These laws are there to protect customers from paying way too much for a car that has significant mechanical problems. Before the sale of a vehicle, a prospective buyer has the right to have...
An overview of Connecticut’s Lemon Law
Most residents may not know this, but our state was the first state to enact a “Lemon Law” to help car owners of defective vehicles. In fact, the program has refunded or replaced vehicles to the tune of over $60 million. Where is the Lemon Law? “Lemon Law” is not...
Financing scams run by auto dealerships
People in New Jersey use their vehicles every day to get to various places that they need to go to. However, cars do not last forever and people need to buy new vehicles from time to time. People have different options on where to purchase their vehicle, but many...
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...