Anyone who purchases a product or service is potentially at risk for fraud, and even the most financially savvy customer can unknowingly fall victim to it. It can crop up in a number of ways, from overpaying for contracting services to purchasing a car that turns out to be defective. Facing the pressures of a competitive marketplace, some companies take deceptive actions in order to give them a financial edge while disadvantaging countless customers. Consumer fraud may appear in the form of:
- Automobile fraud
- False and misleading advertising or bait and switch tactics
- Insurance fraud
- Interpreting a contract or agreement in a way that unfairly disadvantages the consumer
- Overcharging or improper charges for goods and services
- Selling defective products
In 2012 alone, the Federal Trade Commission received more than one million fraud-related complaints with losses totaling more than $1.4 billion.
Our Approach to Consumer Fraud Litigation
Motley Rice believes that class action lawsuits are an important tool for both the individual and the marketplace. For many consumers, filing an independent lawsuit may be impractical or costly. A class action lawsuit positions a group of similarly harmed consumers to pursue recovery for their damages.
Our consumer fraud team seeks damages for consumers with both small and large losses, and we strive to make a significant impact that will also discourage future businesses from attempting to undertake the same illicit practices.
Vehicle Economic Loss Cases
If a vehicle you own is recalled, its value may quickly decrease through no fault of your own. Even if the vehicle is repaired, potential buyers may still perceive the car as unsafe or damaged, making it difficult to resell.
Motley Rice attorneys are litigating vehicle economic loss cases involving defective Takata airbags and GM’s unprecedented series of recalls. For more information on vehicle economic loss or to discuss a potential claim, contact attorney Jodi Westbrook Flowers by email or at 1.800.768.4026.
Volkswagen Emissions Fraud Lawsuits
On Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, news broke that German automaker Volkswagen has been programming more than 11 million vehicles worldwide, nearly 500,000 of those vehicles in the United States, to cheat on tests by emitting lower emissions levels in official tests than how they actually perform on the road. If you own one of the vehicles listed, you may have an economic loss claim for potentially overpaying for your car and any depreciated value. For more information, click here.
Our Experience in Consumer Fraud Protection
Our attorneys have litigated diverse and complex consumer fraud matters against industries and companies that prey on unwary customers, including cases against:
- Automobile manufacturers and dealers
- Banks
- Brokers
- Credit reporting agencies
- Financial consultants
- Insurance companies
- Mortgage lenders
- Title insurers
We have also worked with numerous state attorneys general who have retained our attorneys to represent their states in a range of legal matters, including consumer rights and consumer protection.
Consumer Fraud Class Action Lawsuits
Federal and state laws offer consumer fraud protection by regulating the advertising, marketing and sale of consumer products and services. In addition, there are federal agencies that work to prevent and address consumer fraud, including the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Agency.
These agencies, however, do not help individual consumers pursue recovery for damage due to fraud. If you are a victim of consumer fraud, our attorneys are positioned to use a class action lawsuit to help you seek justice and obtain compensation.
