Consumer Protection
All consumers face the constant danger of exploitation by unscrupulous businesses and individuals. In this section, lawyers describe the various consumer protection laws and how to use them to secure your rights.
FindLaw Consumer Protection Articles
- New bill in Texas could cut cost of storm-mitigation equipment
Provided by: The Voss Law Firm, P.C.
Bill would create Hurricane Mitigation week and provide savings on hurricane-mitigation equipment like portable generators and flashlights. Read More » - Insurance companies deny claims after storm causes damage in Texas
Provided by: The Voss Law Firm, P.C.
Insurance companies may attempt to falsely deny claims after large storms. Knowing your rights can help ensure you get the coverage you paid for. Read More » - Warranties protect California consumers
Provided by: The Law Offices of Michael S. Humphries
People who buy or lease a new vehicle in California have legal recourse if the vehicle turns out to be a lemon. Read More » - An overview of Arizona bad faith insurance law
Provided by: Surrano Law Offices, A Professional Corporation
Arizona law requires insurers to approach every claim with an attitude of “good faith and fair dealing.” Read More » - Avoiding Ponzi Schemes, Protecting Your Investments
Provided by: Girardi Keese
What is a Ponzi scheme? How can investors spot a Ponzi scheme? What can you do if you are the victim of a Ponzi scheme? Read More » - Consumer bank account transaction resequencing multiplies overdraft fees
Provided by: Bohrer Law Firm, L.L.C.
The order in which a bank posts a customer’s daily transactions to his or her account can make a huge difference financially when not enough money has been deposited to cover them all. Read More » - Jefferies trader charged in $2 million investment fraud scheme
Provided by: Stone Bonner & Rocco LLP
A recent prosecution for investment fraud is shedding light on shareholders' rights. Read More » - Request Independent Medical Review of your denied health claim in Calif.
Provided by: Law Offices of Stephenson Acquisto & Colman
California law gives consumers the right to have certain kinds of medical insurance claim denials independently reviewed in “Independent Medical Reviews” or IMRs. Read More » - Long-term care insurance: the trend of bad faith claim denials
Provided by: Law Offices of Stephenson Acquisto & Colman
California law gives insurance companies, brokers and agents a “duty of honesty, and a duty of good faith and fair dealing” in their interactions with customers about long-term care insurance. Read More » - Companies can utilize California’s Unfair Competition Law as well
Provided by: Boyd Contreras, LLP
California’s UCL is not only applicable in consumer protection situations, but may also be used in certain disputes between businesses and in allegations of commercial fraud. Read More » - Crowdfunding May Increase the Likelihood of Fraud
Provided by: Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein PA
"Crowdfunding" may increase likelihood of securities fraud. Read More » - Athletes and Alcohol Sponsorships: A Good Mix?
Provided by: Entertainment, Intellectual Property, Internet & New Media Law Group
Some athletes are now venturing into the arena of alcohol sponsorship. Read More » - State Farm Under Investigation for Texas Hurricane Ike Insurance Denials
Provided by: Clint Brasher Attorney at Law PC
State Farm is under investigation for denying Hurricane Ike claims related to lifted shingles. Read More » - The SEC’s Whistleblower Program Pays Out
Provided by: Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein PA
The SEC has awarded its first whistleblower payout under the Dodd Frank Act. Read More » - Protect Yourself against Evolving Investment Fraud Tactics
Provided by: Schachter Harris, LLP
Learn how to avoid investment fraud schemes and how to hold brokers accountable for fraud which has already occurred. Read More » - Florida Drivers Get Hundreds of Thousands of Speeding Tickets
Provided by: Miami Traffic Ticket Attorneys
A two-year average of more than 300,000 tickets just for speeding makes one wonder whether Florida drivers simply have more of a need for speed than drivers in other states. Read More » - What Is a Buy-Sell Agreement?
Provided by: The Roberts Law Firm, P.C.
Business owners should understand the purpose of buy-sell agreements, the issues they address and some common mistakes people make in drafting them. Read More » - Supreme Court to Hear Stock Fraud Lawsuit
Provided by: The Roberts Law Firm, P.C.
In Amgen v. Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds, the U.S. Supreme Court will determine at what point plaintiffs in stock fraud lawsuits must prove that the alleged fraud had an impact on share prices. Read More » - Electronic Privacy Law May Soon Be Updated
Provided by: Erik S. Syverson
Privacy groups are calling for updates to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. Learn why in the following article. Read More » - Avoid Lemons: Nearly Three Million Recalled Cars Have Never Been Fixed
Provided by: The Law Offices of Michael S. Humphries
When you purchase a vehicle you want it to work, and when a vehicle does not work as promised or expected you expect the situation to be fixed. Many used cars sold in California today are subject to recalls. Read More » - Defective Construction Coverage Frustrates Policyholders
Provided by: Elkus & Sisson, P.C.
In the world of commercial general liability, policyholders have been frustrated over whether commercial general liability policies cover faulty construction work. Read More » - Protecting Your Claim on a California Public Works Project
Provided by: Weule & Ballard, APC
Contractors and suppliers involved in payment disputes on California public works projects can protect their claims with stop notices and payment bonds. Read More » - The Insured Still Have Options for Denied Claims
Provided by: Law Office of Robert F. Keehn
California health insurance policyholders have a system in place to resolve disputed claims. Read More » - Disabled California Children May Lose Medical Services
Provided by: Law Office of Robert F. Keehn
Changes in the administration of the Medi-Cal insurance program can lead to denial of medical coverage for some Californians, because of disputes about medical necessity. Read More » - State Supreme Court Addresses Consumer Responsibility in Lemon Law Ruling
Provided by: Aiken & Scoptur
The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently issued a ruling that strengthens the state’s Lemon Law. Read More » - No Fun in the Sun: Summer Product Risks and Recalls
Provided by: Portner Bond, PLLC
Consumers should be aware of several unexpectedly dangerous summer products. Read More » - Out of Luck? Sprint Customers May Lose Unlimited Data Plans
Provided by: Gray Ritter & Graham, PC
A recent email informed Sprint customers that their data plans would be capped at 5 gigabytes (GB). The unlimited data package used to set Sprint apart from its mobile carrier competitors. Read More » - Facebook IPO Leads to Class Action Lawsuit and Federal Inquiry
Provided by: Gray Ritter & Graham, PC
Social media giant Facebook’s IPO raised serious questions about the information offered to investors, who have filed a class action suit against Facebook, Morgan Stanley and other underwriting banks. Read More » - When Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Goes Wrong in Maryland
Provided by: Baltimore Criminal Attorneys
At sentencing, the judge indicated that he believed the defendant, yet because of mandatory minimum sentencing, he was obligated to sentence him to serve time behind bars anyway. Read More » - Texas Insurance Agents Who Violate State Rules No Longer Named Online
Provided by: Law Offices of Robert N. Grisham, II
Unfortunately for consumers, the Texas Department of Insurance has quietly discontinued its practice of publishing the names of insurance agents disciplined for breaking state rules. Read More » - Mold: It’s Not Just a Musty Smell
Provided by: Slinde Nelson
Mold spores in a closed, wet environment can pose a risk to people. Read More » - First Lightning, Then Thunder, Then … Your Insurance Claim Fails
Provided by: Speights & Worrich Trial Lawyers
Billions of dollars worth of damage has made the price of homeowner's insurance go up while providing less coverage. Read More » - Gov. Scott Signs No-Fault Bill, But Don’t Expect Your Premiums to Decrease
Provided by: Personal Injury Attorneys in Miami
Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed the no-fault insurance bill into law. With Scott’s signature, auto insurance premiums are likely to stay exactly where they are now: high. Read More » - Despite Reporting Law, Heath Care Costs Still Hard to Find
Provided by: Law Offices of Stephenson Acquisto & Colman
Unfortunately, it can be surprisingly difficult in California to get an accurate picture of how much a medical procedure will cost. Read More » - When is Hot Water Too Hot?
Provided by: Personal Injury Lawyers in New York City
The New York State Consumer Protection Board has issued a directive urging consumers to make sure their children and loved ones are protected from extremely painful and possibly fatal scalding burns. Read More » - New Oregon Bad Faith Insurance Law Tabled in Committee
Provided by: Chenoweth Law Group, P.C.
A bill currently before the Oregon State Legislature would strengthen the rights of insurance policyholders and third parties to bring legal actions for prohibited insurance practices. Read More » - Check Your Credit Report Regularly to Nip Trouble in the Bud
Provided by: Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, LLC
Avoid unpleasant credit surprises by reviewing your credit report on a regular basis, whether or not you have any reason to think something might be wrong. Read More » - The Future of Internet Policy Bills
Provided by: Erik S. Syverson
The recent defeat of two controversial bills, PIPA and SOPA, showed how Internet users can rally together to challenge controversial laws. What does it say about future Internet laws? Learn more in the following article. Read More » - Lemon on Your Hands? California Law Might Provide Relief
Provided by: The Law Offices of Michael S. Humphries
California law provides relief some owners of lemons: new vehicles with serious problems that arise soon after purchase of the vehicle. Read More » - Joplin Gives Extra Time for Businesses to Declare Plans in Wake of Tornado
Provided by: Doyle Raizner LLP
Following the 2011 Joplin Tornado, city officials are asking businesses to announce whether or not they intended to rebuild. Read More » - Insurance Bad Faith in Florida
Provided by: Corless Associates
In every Florida insurance contract, there is an implied promise by the insurer and the insured to act in good faith when carrying out the terms of the insurance agreement. When the insurer does not do so, by failing to investigate a claim, by wrongfully denying a claim or other action, the insured has a right to make a 'bad faith insurance' claim against the insurer. Read More » - Florida Weakens Insurance Coverage for Sinkhole Property Damage
Provided by: Corless Associates
In 2011, changes were made to Florida's insurance laws that may make it more difficult for homeowners and business owners whose property has been damaged by sinkhole activity to recover from their insurance company. Read More » - Charles Ponzi Is Alive And Well And Living In Texas
Provided by: John McDuff Attorney at Law
Following the investment crisis, more and more investment scams are coming to light ― and as two recent securities cases from the Austin area demonstrate, investment fraud is not specific to Wall Street. Read More » - Qui Tam Lawsuits Under the False Claims Act
Provided by: Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A.
The False Claims Act seeks to empower employees to report instances of fraud committed by their employers, by rewarding the employees for coming forward and protecting them from retaliation. Read More » - Exchange-Traded Funds: Benefits and Risks of the Popular Investment Vehicle
Provided by: Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A.
While ETFs are widely utilized and can be a very useful investment product, many brokers and investors do not understand the products. Read More » - Decertification of NFL and NBA Players Unions Allows Antitrust Litigation
Provided by: The Law Offices of Michael S. Humphries
The NFL went through a tense labor dispute this past summer, but luckily managed not to miss any games. The NBA and the NBA Players Union is at risk of losing their entire 2011-2012 season. Unbeknownst to many, however, are the intricate legal topics that arise between unions and their employers. Read More » - Storm Season Is Here: Are You Properly Insured?
Provided by: Clint Brasher Attorney at Law PC
Hurricane Irene highlights how important it is to make sure your assets are protected in the event of a disaster. Read More » - Primer on Payment Terms in Residential Remodeling Construction Contracts
Provided by: Chenoweth Law Group, P.C.
The most common contracts used by contractors in the residential remodeling context are fixed contracts and cost-plus or “time and materials” (T&M) contracts. Each type of contract approaches payment differently. Learn more about each type of contract, as well as their benefits and drawbacks. Read More » - FDA Issues New Warnings About Risks of Vaginal Mesh
Provided by: Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C.
Recent warnings and requests by consumer advocates to recall vaginal mesh highlight the dangers of the transvaginal placement of surgical mesh. The costs to patients may far outweigh any benefits and the FDA is warning doctors to fully inform patients of the risks prior to completing TVM surgery. Read More » - Windstorm Insurance A Necessity for Homeowners in Storm-Prone Areas
Provided by: Doyle Raizner LLP
It is important for homeowners to know what their basic homeowner’s insurance policy covers and to buy additional windstorm coverage if that damage is excluded from their basic policies. Read More » - Joplin Tornado: Businesses are Suffering Too
Provided by: Doyle Raizner LLP
The tornado that touched down in Joplin, Missouri earlier this year reminds us just how devastating natural disasters can be, and the importance of business interruption insurance for businesses. Read More » - Insurance After A Disaster: Are You Sure You’re In Good Hands?
Provided by: Doyle Raizner LLP
Insurance companies always attempt to minimize costs, which is especially concerning for insureds in Joplin, Missouri following the May 22 tornado. Read More » - When Disaster Strikes, Know Your Insurance Policy
Provided by: Doyle Raizner LLP
Home and business owners are realizing how difficult it can be dealing with insurance providers following the tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Read More » - Even Pros Get Scammed
Provided by: John McDuff Attorney at Law
Last month, a jury found Kurt Barton guilty of ripping off several investors, including former Heisman trophy winners Ty Detmer, Earl Campbell and Chris Weinke, in a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Barton. Read More » - U.S. Senate Pushes Truck Safety Legislation
Provided by: New York Personal Injury Attorney
There has been no shortage in the news lately of stories about commercial vehicles and truck accidents, so the U.S. Senate is pushing legislation that would give more power to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Read More » - Applying For Social Security Disability Benefits in Oregon
Provided by: Helzer Cromar & Schneider, LLP
Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a complicated, lengthy process and, unfortunately, 60 to 70 percent of initial claims in Oregon are denied immediately. Read More » - New Proposal Calls for Stronger Broker-Dealer Audits
Provided by: Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is contemplating new regulations that would create tougher audits for broker-dealers that do not use outside firms to handle client funds. Read More » - Online Advertisers Continue to Track Movements Even After Users Opt Out
Provided by: Erik S. Syverson
Targeted advertising campaigns are more important than ever, and ads based on browsing histories are becoming more common. Behavioral advertising is a great concern for consumers who want to avoid targeted ads and who are concerned about who has access to their personal information. Learn more about what is being done to protect against targeted advertising. Read More » - Legal Basis for Products Liability Claims
Provided by: J William Savage PC
Consumers expect that the products they buy will be safe. Toasters should work without starting electrical fires; cars should accelerate and stop safely; and food should be safe from contaminants. Learn more about the basis for products liability lawsuits in the following article. Read More » - Is FINRA’s Proposed Rule Regarding Back-Office Personnel Too Broad?
Provided by: Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A.
FINRA's proposed rule has many concerned due to it's breadth of coverage. Read More » - Florida Senate Bill 408 Becomes Law
Provided by: Williams Law Association, P.A.
On May 17, Senate Bill 408 – a controversial overhaul of Florida’s property insurance system – became law with Governor Rick Scott’s signature. Read More » - Supreme Court Decision in Concepcion v. AT&T: Another Blow to Consumers
Provided by: Kantrowitz Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C.
In its recent decision, AT&T Mobility, LLC v. Concepcion, the Supreme Court has removed from consumers another important arrow from their quiver to defend against companies which use unconscionable or improper retail practices against them. Unfortunately, the number of arrows in that quiver are rapidly shrinking. Read More » - Construction Defects Are Serious Concerns in the Pacific Northwest
Provided by: Slinde Nelson & Du Val Business Law PC
Construction defects were the downfall of Oregon’s McGuire tower. Learn how similar issues could affect your home or business and what to do if you discover building problems. Read More » - Update: Permanent Rule Change Arising Out of FINRA’s Pilot Program
Provided by: Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A.
A good day for wronged investors: New rule allows for all-public arbitrators in securities arbitration cases. Read More » - California Court Interprets Commercial Insurance Policy, Says Policy Covers Assault and Battery
Provided by: Campbell, Lauter & Murphy
A California Court of Appeals case highlights why it is important for business owners to understand their company’s insurance policy, especially the exclusions. Read More » - Homeowner Insurance Applications - Take Them Seriously
Provided by: Tyler & Hamilton, P.A.
Almost every homeowner, and many renters, at one time or the other have applied for homeowners or renter’s insurance. Depending upon one’s locale, this process can be quite informal (sometimes a realtor or mortgage broker takes care of matters) and is often more of a pleasant meeting between salesperson and insurance consumer than what it really should be considered: a critical step in determining the insurability of the applicant and the item or items to be insured. Read More » - Data Miners Gathering Personal Information
Provided by: Erik S. Syverson
If the FTC is able to mandate that browsers install a universal, easy-to-use “do not track” option, consumers will not need to take additional steps to prevent their data from being gathered. Read More » - New Dodd-Frank Act Creates Important Rights for Whistleblowers
Provided by: Watkins, Lourie, Roll & Chance, PC
The Dodd-Frank Act gives employees and other whistleblowers with independent knowledge of a financial fraud by any company required to report to the SEC the potential of a big pay-out - up to 30% of any amount recovered over $1 million. Read More » - US Justice Department Opined Genes Not Eligible For Patents
Provided by: Erik S. Syverson - Los Angeles Internet Law Attorney
Read More » - The Psychology of Investment Fraud
Provided by: Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A.
Scammers often use psychological tricks to influence people to buy into fraudulent investments. Knowing the psychology of fraud can help investors avoid falling prey to investment scams. Read More » - U.S. Supreme Court to Decide California Video Game Violence Law
Provided by: Erik S. Syverson
The question is whether the First Amendment prevents California from enacting laws ostensibly restricting free speech in order to protect children from violent images in video games. Read More » - Congress Revisits Honest Services Fraud
Provided by: the Mead Law Firm P.C.
Since its inception in 1988, a doctrine known as “honest services” fraud has helped prosecutors send hundreds of public officials to jail on corruption charges. Read More » - Financial Reform Legislation and Transparency in Hedge Fund Management
Provided by: Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A.
Reforming Wall Street? A peek at the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Read More » - The Myth of "100% Protected" Securities
Provided by: Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A.
Instead of 100% protection, certain securities have lost all their value and left investors holding an empty bag. Read More » - Curbing Mortgage Fraud in South Carolina
Provided by: Monckton Law Firm, P.A.
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) created a mortgage fraud hotline in June 2008. How is the SCDCA's effort to aid consumers working out? Read More » - GM Bankruptcy May Impact Victims’ Rights
Provided by: Goldenberg & Johnson, PLLC
Bankruptcy rendered the new GM Corporation immune from important liability. However, victims of accidents who filed claims prior to bankruptcy may still be entitled to voice their objections. Read More » - Protecting Yourself from Mortgage Fraud
Provided by: Koles, Burke & Bustillo, L.L.P.
The growing trend of schemes aimed at homeowners who are fighting to avoid foreclosure. Read More » - Protecting Californians From Predatory Settlement Purchases
Provided by: The Dolan Law Firm
The California Legislature should adopt SB 510, which would help to protect injured people from predatory settlement purchasing companies. Read More »