The Detroit News reports that federal safety regulators have opened an investigation into 830,000 Toyota vehicles over complaints of fires sparked by power window switches. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it was opening a preliminary investigation into the 2007 Camry and RAV4 after receiving six consumer complaints alleging a fire in the…
Odometer fraud is huge problem for California Used-Car Buyers. Consumer protection groups have estimated at least 20% (or more) of all used cars sold have the odometers “rolled.” Of course, odometers are electronic/digital now and are not actually manually rolled back. Computers are used now. Many of these vehicles have “washed” titles running through Texas…
For GMAC, AmeriCredit, GM Financial, or any other auto finance company operating in California, they must provide a thorough and fair Notice of Intent to Sell to consumer’s whose vehicles they have repossessed. You have the right to reinstate or pay off your contract, and if that is not provided, they can’t come after you…
Car Dealerships, Banks, and Computer Companies add MORE in smaller size to CHARGE More Fine print is everywhere growing in use against consumers and shrinking in size. Big deal? Did you know fine print means the consumer loses big money. Transparency Labs, which administers a national database of consumer contracts, estimates that information buried in these disclosures generates…
The Consumer’s Friend recently received report of flood damaged cars from Japanese manufacturers (Toyota, Honda, etc.) possibly reaching U.S. markets. The earthquake, nuclear plant destruction, and tsunami in Japan may yet hold new dangers — this time to American car buyers. Sea water and electronics do not mix, and no one uses a Geiger counter…
Gift cards from American Express, Chase, and Wells Fargo, as of December 2011, charge “purchase fees” from $3 to $7. Chase charges an “inactivity fee” of $2.50 a month if the card is not used for a year. Wells Fargo also charges for lost card replacement. What if the card is for a Bankrupt Company?…
Holiday gift cards are popular, but can be a lemon in your stocking if hidden fees make them worthless. Hidden “junk” fees can bring the value to zero if not used right away. Read the fine print, or, better yet, spend them now. Here are some of the consumer protections out there: (federal consumer protections)…
The National Consumer Law Center has listed the following “Top Ten” Consumer Law Violations: 1. Bogus affidavits, Robo-signed affidavits used in foreclosure and credit card collection lawsuits; 2. Entities foreclosing on mortgages lack standing or do not comply with HAMP mortgage modification requirements; 3. Employers pull consumer reports but do not send required notices; 4….
The U.S. Department of Transportation is advising consumers taking advantage of the “Cash for Clunkers ” program not to sign contingency agreements promising to pay back up to $4,500 if dealers don’t receive payment from the government. No contingency agreement is required to participate, the Transportation Department, which administers the $3 billion Car Allowance Rebate…
As the Cash for Clunkers (CFC) program has taken off, so have Dealership frauds. Issue 1: Jumping the Gun… Dealers started advertising for CFC sales BEFORE the program details were set AND before they were changed! Now some cars that qualified for CFC no longer qualify! Dealers have been illegally calling people back in and…
