Los Angeles Consumer Protection Lawyers

Consumer protection laws are designed to ensure fair competition and the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace. The laws are designed to prevent businesses that engage in fraud or specified unfair practices from gaining an advantage over competitors. If you have been the victim of fraud, unfair business practices, unfair lending practices, predatory pricing or other violations of your rights, contact our Los Angeles consumer protection lawyers today.

Specific consumer protection laws can deal with issues such as:

• Credit repair
• Debt repair
• Product safety
• Service and sales contracts
• Bill collector regulation
• Pricing
• Utility turnoffs

However, no two situations are the same. Because we have such a long history of success within this area of the law, we can rely on what has worked for our clients in the past. But we are also experienced enough to know how to adapt to changing circumstances. With the increasing emergence of online commerce, the need for consumer protection may have never been greater. There are myriad new ways for consumer rights to be violated. We are prepared for them all.

Federal Consumer Protection Laws

Consumer protection laws at the federal level include:

• The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
• The Fair Credit Reporting Act
• The Truth-in-Lending Act
• The Fair Credit Billing Act
• The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

Consumer protection laws are enforced by the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. Each agency has various departments dealing with different aspects of consumer protection.  For example, the Federal Trade Commission has the following different divisions:

• Advertising Practices – protects consumers from deceptive and unsubstantiated advertising.
• Enforcement – enforces protection laws, rules and guidelines in these and other ways: investigating and prosecuting civil actions to stop fraudulent, unfair or deceptive marketing and advertising practices.
• Financial Practices – enforces credit statutes, including: the Consumer Leasing Act, Credit Practices Rule, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Billing Act, Electronic Fund Transfer Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Holder-In-Due-Course Rule, and Truth in Lending Act.
• Marketing Practices – enforces federal protection laws to protect consumers from fraudulent marketing practices.
• Planning & Information – collects and analyzes data to target law enforcement and education efforts and measure the impact of activities related to the FTC’s mission to protect consumers.
• The International Division of Consumer Protection – promotes confidence in international marketplaces.
• The Office of Consumer and Business Education – plans and implements public education campaigns about fraud, deception, and unfair practices.

California Consumer Protection Law

There are also California laws for consumer protection. These include:

• The Lemon Law
• Laws prohibiting unfair debt collection
• Laws prohibiting auto dealer fraud
• Laws prohibiting unfair and deceptive business practices

For example, the Lemon Law covers the following new and used vehicles that are under manufacturer warranty:

• Automobiles
• Trucks
• Boats
• Motorcycles
• Jet skis
• Trailers
• Demonstrator vehicles
• Motor homes

This law covers any defect that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle to the buyer.

California has very strong consumer protection laws and agencies committed to enforcing these rules. However, having an experienced attorney on your side to guide you through the bureaucracy and legal challenges is crucial. With a skilled consumer protection lawyer on your side, you can be sure that your case will not fall through the cracks or be endlessly delayed. You will also have an ally who can answer all of your questions and lead you on the best course of action.

Contact a Skilled Los Angeles Consumer Protection Lawyer Today

If you believe your consumer protection rights have been violated, contact one of our experienced Los Angeles consumer protection attorneys at Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos for a consultation today.