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...
Lemon Law
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...
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...
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...
The Lemon Law: How Many Repair Attempts Before a Car is a Lemon?
Connecticut's Lemon Law gives important protections to consumers who bought a new car or truck. If the manufacturer is unable to repair a defect after a "reasonable" number of repair attempts, then it must either replace the vehicle or buy it back. So, a common...
Student Loan Scams
An article in Today's New York Times discusses the predatory nature of some debt settlement companies, who are increasingly targeting consumers who collectively owe more than $1 trillion dollars in student loans.
The Connecticut Lemon Law: 5 Things Every Consumer Should Know
Last month, you may have heard about Nick Murray, a Connecticut resident who gained some internet attention from his YouTube videos documenting the unmerchantable condition of his new Porsche 911, as well as his frustration in seeking a refund or replacement under the...
Auto dealer fraudster sentenced to prison for 60 months
Used car dealers and salesman are some of the most hated individuals in the U.S. This is mostly due to a pervasive idea that they are fraudsters, and this is why every state has laws against auto dealer fraud. Though, what some may not realize is that federal law also...
Avoiding online car buying scams
Readers of our blog are no stranger to car buying scams. Indeed, many of our blogs are devoted to auto dealer fraud, like last week’s blog. In that blog post, we described how some online “internet prices” were actually after an undisclosed down payment. And, after...
Be careful when shopping for a car online
When a Connecticut resident needs a new car chances are they will search the internet first before heading into the dealership. This can be a good way of checking prices, models, features, etc., but a recent article in PC Magazine highlights the deceptive nature of...
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...
Understanding title types to make an informed purchase
When a person purchases a used vehicle, it can sometimes be difficult to know the vehicle’s full history. The vehicle may have been in accident, may have flood damage or may have been owned by several different people. Buyers may not be aware that there are several...
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...
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...
Review of Connecticut’s repossession laws
Most people in Connecticut realize that those who provide automobile loans have the right to repossess the vehicle if the borrower does not make timely payments. However, what they might not realize is that borrowers have rights during the repossession process, and...
Vehicle disclosure requirements and what if they are unmet
Buying a vehicle is exciting and a big step for many people. For that reason, car buyers and consumers should be familiar with vehicle history disclosure requirements and auto dealer fraud and how they can protect themselves. Vehicle disclosure requirements Vehicle...
What can you learn from a VIN search?
Every vehicle is a unique machine that comes with a unique identifier – a vehicle identification number. Known as a “VIN” number, this identifier is an alphanumeric code that provides important information about the vehicle's history. There are ways for...