Protecting Your Consumer Rights in California
Consumers have numerous rights under both California and federal laws. Protecting your rights under the law is important; consumers are often victims of fraudulent business practices or untrue or misleading advertising. In these cases, an attorney who has experience protecting consumer rights can help.
Fraudulent Business Practices
Consumers can encounter a number of problems, particularly when dealing with credit. Some examples include:
- Fake charging and overcharging – charges that show up on your bank accounts or credit card statements that you never authorized.
- Hidden fees – credit card companies, mortgage
companies and banks have a fiduciary responsibility to disclose any fees you may be responsible for. These fees include overdraft, over-the-limit fees, annual fees and more. However, consumers often find hidden transaction fees when they least expect them. - Creditor problems – creditors have a responsibility to accurately report your payment history to credit reporting agencies. If the reports they make are not accurate, you could face problems getting a home loan, credit card or auto loan. Creditors are also prohibited from harassing consumers when they fall behind on payments.
False and Misleading Advertising
We are inundated with advertising; on television, via email, on the internet and in our regular mailboxes. Sadly, companies are not always leveling with us when they advertise their products or services. Whether you have accepted a free trial to a product and found you are being charged monthly for an ongoing subscription which was “part” of the free offer, a product manufacturer has made unwarranted health claims or a provider of services has misled you about their abilities you have the right to fight back.
Chances are, if you have faced any of these issues, you are not the only one. Consumers can band together and file class action lawsuits against companies that have unfair business practices. If you believe you are one person out of hundreds, or even thousands who have been deceived by a company, contact The Spencer Law Firm.
