Reports just came out in the Union Tribune that San Diego new car sales are up 15%. Over the past 15 months, at least five new car showrooms or lots have opened in San Diego County, including San Diego European Motorcars and Mini of San Diego in Kearny Mesa; Hoehn’s Jaguar/Land Rover and Bob Baker…
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…
Bank of America Corp. (BAC) will pay a record $335 million to compensate Countrywide Financial Corp. borrowers who were charged more for home loans based on race and national origin. Countrywide, acquired by Bank of America in 2008, assessed higher fees and interest rates to more than 200,000 black and Hispanic borrowers, the U.S. Department…
In November 2011, the Hanson Law Firm certified a class against of thousands of California consumers against subprime lender AmeriCredit regarding money it has collected from these car buyers after their family vehicles were repo’d and sold. Trial is set for April 2012.
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)…
AmeriCredit is reporting thousands of California consumers to the Credit Bureaus (Experian, Trans Union, etc) for “deficiency” amounts on repossessed family cars. There’s just one problem: this money may not be owed! The Hanson Law Firm has filed a new case in federal court alleging that AmeriCredit is forcing consumers to either pay a debt…
The Federal Car-History Database: NMVTIS nmvtis.gov Almost everyone has heard of Carfax and similar car-history databases, but most would be shocked to learn how little protection they provide against the fraudulent sale of previously wrecked and flooded vehicles. Few, however, have heard about the important developing federal car-history database—the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System…
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….
Merchants can’t ask you for your ZIP code or any other identifying information that they then record when you are using credit cards for purchase. The Song Beverly Credit Card Act of 1971 prohibits retailers from requesting and recording customer’s “personal identification information” during a transaction, and imposes statutory damages of up to $1,000 per…
