I have been hearing reports from consumers and consumer protection attorney colleagues that some dealers and finance companies are moving to computer based contracts. The consumer is shown the contract on a computer screen and signs on the computer screen. This facilitates Dealer Fraud, because it both deters and makes meaningful review and consideration harder.
It’s simply harder to see, understand and digest a document, especially legal document on a computer screen. It’s too easy for a dirty dealer to scroll quickly over things and click thru things. Add in the chit-chat dealers use to distract you in the first place and its a brutal situation.
You should identify this type of practice as a big Red Flag.
I have heard that Credit Acceptance is one of the finance companies pushing this new approach. If you have had any bad experiences with Credit Acceptance, or with a dealer who assigned the finance agreement to Credit Acceptance, then I would like to hear about it.
My advice. Get everything in writing. Meaning on paper. Get it on paper and review before agreeing to it or signing to indicate your agreement.
Make sure that you have copies of everything you have signed before you leave the dealer. If the dealer takes away the documents after you signed them, and perhaps puts them in an envelope for you, take them out of the envelope and make sure you have all of them.
If you have been the victim of consumer fraud or Dealer Fraud, then contact a qualified attorney right away.