1. The ONLY reason a dealer sells an aftermarket service contract on top of a “Certified Pre-Owned” (CPO) warranty that comes with the certified vehicle is to make profit. The coverage is usually duplicative and mostly worthless; 2. When you see a service contract/extended warranty on top of a solid CPO Warranty, there is a…
Car buyer victims of ‘yo-yo’ financing Typical Scenario: Consumer buys car and takes possession of it on a Sunday. During the application process, he provided the dealer with his financial details, including recent pay stubs, while the dealer filled out his application for financing. The consumer signs a sales contract and drives away in the…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the nation’s authority on vehicle-related safety. NHTSA ‘s new SaferCar app provides important information to help consumers make informed safety decisions involving your vehicle. Features include: · 5-Star Safety Ratings: Buy safe by looking up a vehicle’s crash test ratings and comparing ratings for different vehicles. · Recalls…
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced its plans to require automakers and motorcycle manufacturers to provide consumers with a free online tool that will enable them to search recall information by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) starting next year. Many manufacturers already do this, but some don’t — like…
At car dealers across the United States, loans to subprime borrowers are surging – up 18 percent in 2012 from a year earlier, to 6.6 million borrowers, according to credit-reporting agency Equifax Inc. And as a Reuters review of court records shows, subprime auto lenders are showing up in a lot of personal bankruptcy filings,…
A Florida consumer hit “Straight Talk” prepaid phone co-founders Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and TracFone Wireless Inc. with a putative class action Monday claiming the service promises unlimited data service that is actually subject to several undisclosed restrictions
A federal jury recently handed down the largest award ever given to an individual consumer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act in a suit against Equifax, an awakening verdict for companies that trade on consumer data, which are now more likely to face similar suits. The award consisted of $180,000 in actual damages and $18.4…
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has approached the Federal Trade Commission to go after the mobile app industry’s false advertising of learning apps for babies. In particular, they are going after industry claims that dupe parents into thinking the apps are “educational” or “teach” rather than just entertaining. The Campaign is focusing on Fisher-Price’s…
Getting annoying calls, texts from car dealers or others? The Hanson Law Firm can help. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) restricts marketing calls and text messages to cellphones and residential landlines by generally prohibiting communication using automated systems, artificial callers, or prerecorded voices unless the consumer gives “prior express consent.” The TCPA also specifies…
Huge win for consumers today. After being blocked for two years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), has the Captain aboard ship! The CFPB, by the way, was established by the 2010 law that overhauled federal financial regulatory powers following the Great Recession and was meant to be a flagship protection against further consumer abuse. …
