Some dealers advertise and promote themselves as "No Haggle" dealers. Meaning the best price is the list price, and there is no haggling or negotiating. This may sound good in concept. It may even give a false impression that the dealer is such a good guy that he's giving his best price right from the beginning. But, in truth, it often is a red flag for Dealer Fraud.
Dealer Fraud: Beware of No Haggle Dealers
Debt Collector Abuse: PA AG Wrangles Loan Modification Scam
The PA Attorney General issued a press release announcing a legal action, in the form of an assurance of voluntary compliance (AVC), against two Philadelphia-based mortgage loan modification companies that will provide $30,000 in restitution for consumers.
Dealer Fraud: Certified Scams
If you read this blog in the past you probably recall that I believe all Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs are scams. Consumer Reports recently ran an article on certified car programs. The ultimate opinion of the writer was that CPO vehicles are not worth the added expense. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/06/are-certified-preowned-cars-worth-it/index.htm#
Vehicle sales hype: distinguishing between mere puffing and fraud
Do you like bells and whistles?
DEBT COLLECTOR ABUSE: LEVERAGING FAMILY AND FRIENDS
In a recent case I uncovered training materials in which a major finance company admitted they used contacts with a debtor's family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to leverage payments. These are called Third-Party Contacts (TPCs) under the law. They are one of the stocks and trades of Debt Collector Abuse.
Dealer Fraud: Repair Invoices Versus Repair Orders
It is important to know about the difference between Repair Invoices and Repair Orders (ROs) and the service process generally. Dishonest dealers often try to get away with only disclosing Repair Invoices, because they have been sanitized and are missing much available information. This is just one of the ways dealers try to hide Dealer Fraud.
DEALER FRAUD: NJ AG SETTLES ACTION AGAINST NEWTON AUDI AND VW
Dealer Fraud knows no borders. The New Jersey Attorney General Division of Consumer Affairs issued a press release on 08/17/2015 that it had settled its charges against Newton Audi and Newton VW. http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/News/Pages/08172015.aspx
DEALER FRAUD: STATE INSPECTIONS ANTIQUATED AND INADEQUATE
I have shown for years that the Pennsylvania State Inspection system has an ulterior motive: Dealer Fraud. Dealer admit under oath all the time that State Inspections are a real profit center for them. They can sell a heck of lot of brakes, tires, oil changes, etc.
WRONGFUL REPOSSESSIONS: YO YOs and Repos
Wrongful or unlawful repossessions often arise out of Yo Yo sales. Yo Yo sales are when after a consumer signs the finance purchase agreement the dealer tries to dishonor it or get a consumer to sign a different finance agreement.
Dealer Fraud: Crooked Games Dealers Play
Dealer fraud comes in many varieties. I'm pursuing several case regarding promotional contest mailers that dealers send out to past and prospective customers. Often the mailers promise and assortment of prizes, including large sums of money, MP3 players, and flat-screen TVs.
Predatory lenders focus of reforms to help military personnel
"[L]ike bears in a trout stream."
Dealer Fraud: Dealer Fails to Transfer Title
Dealer fraud comes in many varieties. I get calls frequently from distressed buyers who bought a vehicle, but the dealer fails or refuses to transfer the Title and/or registration. If the temporary tags and registration expire, this can lead to impoundment. No matter what happens, the bank often will insist on continued payments.
Have you been the victim of illegal debt collection practices?
A Jan. 18, 2015 article on The Motley Fool, revealed that the average U.S household is carrying roughly $97,360 in debt. Debts associated with student, car and home loans in addition to credit card and medical expenses are crippling many Americans who struggle each month to pay down these debts while still affording basic necessities other everyday expenses.
Fighting Delaware Title Loans
Pennsylvania is finally cracking down on unfair, unlawful Title loans. I get calls about these often high-interest loans very often. Interest on these loans often runs in excess of 100%. This far exceeds the lawfully allowable rate, and amounts to a usury violation.