Lubbock Auto Fraud Attorney
Have you been sold a new vehicle lemon that the manufacturer refuses to repair or replace? Has a car dealership sold you a car or truck with undisclosed defects or undisclosed prior damage? After purchasing a vehicle, did the auto dealership later ask you to come back to sign a new contract?
If so, the car dealer may have violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. For new cars, the Texas Lemon Law may also be applicable.
The Deese Law Firm is committed to holding car dealers and financial institutions accountable for auto dealer sales fraud. State and federal laws protect consumers from auto dealer sales fraud. Even when complying with the law, car dealers may stack the deck in their favor.
Before purchasing a new or used vehicle, consumers should be aware of some of the common tricks and traps. Our Lubbock auto fraud attorney is here to help when unscrupulous car dealers violate the law.
Yo-yo Financing
Have you purchased a car and driven it away from the dealership only to be told days later that you needed to sign a new contract? If so, you may be the victim of yo-yo financing. In a typical yo-yo transaction, you are asked to sign a new contract with a higher interest rate or asked to make a larger down payment.
After buying your vehicle, the car dealer essentially decides that the terms need to be re-written. When this happens, the new terms generally never favor the consumer. To make matters worse, the auto dealer may also tell you that your trade-in vehicle has already been sold. These sales tactics almost always violate Texas law. To protect yourself, make sure that any contracts you sign are final and seek independent legal advice before signing any contract.
You should contact our Lubbock auto fraud lawyer if you believe you have been the victim of a yo-yo transaction.
Damaged Car Fraud
Car dealers have been known to purchase damaged and wrecked vehicles at auction. Recycled wrecks or flood-damaged cars may look great but only be partially repaired before being re-sold to unsuspecting Texas consumers.
Failure to disclose the adverse history of a vehicle is likely both fraudulent conduct and a violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Texas consumers should always have a qualified mechanic and reputable body shop inspect a used vehicle before buying it.
Odometer Fraud
Car dealers may also try to hide a vehicle’s true mileage history to maximize their profits. The Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act prohibits car dealers from tampering with odometers. Federal law also requires dealers to disclose the odometer reading and indicate whether the odometer reading is accurate.
Violations of this federal law may allow you to recover three times your actual damages or $10,000, whichever is greater, plus the reimbursement of your costs and your attorney’s fees. Rolling back the odometer is also a violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA).
Consumers should be aware that CARFAX reports are not always accurate. To help prevent odometer or title fraud, our Lubbock auto sales fraud attorney recommends that consumers visit www.vehiclehistory.gov for vehicle history information prior to buying their next vehicle.
Dealer Forgeries
Car dealers sometimes decide to re-write the deal after you have signed the sales contract to increase their profits. Car dealers have been known to sell phony extended warranties and GAP, life, or even disability insurance coverage. These actions may constitute fraud and may also violate the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. You may be able to hold the car dealer liable for your damages suffered and recover your costs and attorney’s fees.
If you believe that a car dealership has engaged in false, misleading, or deceptive conduct, contact The Deese Law Firm today at 806.475.0150 to schedule a FREE Potential New Client Phone Consultation. Lubbock dealer fraud attorney Kyle S. Deese may be able to help you.
Even if your vehicle was sold “AS IS,” a car dealership may still be liable for violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Kyle S. Deese will review your potential auto sales fraud case at no cost to you. Kyle encourages consumers in or near Lubbock, Abilene, San Angelo, Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Arlington, Fort Worth, or Dallas to contact The Deese Law Firm today.
How Much Will It Cost To Hire Our Lubbock Auto Fraud Attorney?
For auto fraud matters, our Lubbock auto fraud attorney accepts cases on a contingency fee basis and most cases will require no out-of-pocket costs. But, in select cases, Kyle S. Deese may charge an initial retainer to get started on your auto fraud case.
Aside from this possible initial retainer, it generally costs the consumer nothing to hire Kyle S. Deese, unless there is a recovery in your case. If there is a recovery in your case, Kyle will be reimbursed for any advanced costs and then paid a percentage of the total recovery.
If you believe you have been a victim of auto fraud or have been sold a defective vehicle, contact The Deese Law Firm today at 806.475.0150 to schedule a free telephone consultation. Our Lubbock auto sales fraud lawyer will do his best to protect your rights and will work hard to hold the fraudsters accountable!