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The Consumer Law Group, P.C.
5905 West Broad Street, Suite 303
Richmond, Va. 23230
Phone: 804-282-7900
Fax: 804-673-0316
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Case Results

Awarded: $34,000 in punitive damages

Awarded: Over $114,500

Misrepresentation costly for Norfolk dealership

Awarded: $114,400

Auto Fraud Case Results
Yo-Yo Sale Results in Allegations of Fraud, Violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and Equal Credit Opportunity Act
GM Dealer Settles Fraud Case After Two Mistrials

Awarded: Confidential

Dealership Settles Case on Automobile Fraud, Violation of VA Consumer Protection Act, and The Federal Odometer Act.

Awarded: $57,000

more >

The Consumer Law Group, P.C. BBB Business Review

On the page below you can find links that can be of use to every person at critical moments in their lives. Following an incident, it is important to gather as much information as you can. The Internet is an increasingly important resource in this search, and the sites below are referenced regularly by those facing similiar situations as yourself. If you don't find the answers here, you may contact us for answers to more complex questions or questions specific to your case. The initial phone consultation is free.

Virginia Lemon Law

Addresses for Automobile Manufacturers: If you need to put the manufacturer on notice, here is a list of addresses for various Automobile Manufacturers.
Car Lemon: One stop lemon law information source.
Center for Auto Safety:
The Center for Auto Safety is in the business of keeping you safe. They have suceeded in getting lemon laws in every state, airbags in every car, and more recalls that the auto industry wants to admit.
DMV Lemon Law:
Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) of Virginia's explanation of the Virginia Lemon Law.
EIGHT THINGS TO DO WHEN BUYING CARS: Eight Tips for Buying Cars
Instructions on How to Give Notice to the Manufacturer: View instructions on how to give notice to the manufacturer
Lemon Law Intake Form: Provide General Information About your Vehicle
Lemon Law Office: Find another state Lemon Lawyer.
NADA Guides: Vehicle pricing and information.
Sample Letter to Put the Manufacturer on Notice: View a sample letter to put the manufacturer on notice
The Center for Auto Safety: Consumers Union and Ralph Nader founded the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) in 1970 to provide consumers a voice for auto safety and quality in Washington and to help lemon owners fight back across the country.
Virginia Lemon Law and Auto Fraud: Use this website to look up a vehicle's Title History. NMVTIS is administered by the US Justice Department.
NMVTIS reports provide data on five key indicators, intended to prevent auto fraud and theft:
1. Current Titling State & Last Title Date
2. Brand History. Brand information, applied by state motor vehicle titling agencies, including junk, slavage and flood.
3. Odometer Reading
4. Total Loss History
5. Salvage History
www.50StatesLemonLaw.com: Your Lemon Law information source for Lemons in all 50 states.
www.alldata.com
www.cardetective.com

Auto Fraud

Active Recall cars Auto Fraud: Find out if your car is an active recall vehicle. Enter your VIN number and find out.
AutoCheck.com: Get a Vehicle History Report to help you make a purchase decision.
CarFax.com: Order a CarFax Vehicle History Report, which is the first step to protecting yourself against buying used cars with costly hidden problems.
Center for Auto Safety: Center for Auto Safety has helped get lemon laws in every state, airbags in every car, and more recalls that the auto industry wants to admit.
Consumer Checkbook: The Center for the Study of Services (CSS) is an independent, nonprofit consumer organization and the creator of Consumer Checkbook. CSS’s CarBargains pits dealers against each other, keeping you from haggling.
Edmunds.com: Edmunds.com provides “True Market Value” pricing, unbiased car reviews, ratings, and expert advice to help you get a fair deal.
EIGHT THINGS TO DO WHEN BUYING CARS: Eight Tips For Buying Cars
John Gayle on NBC12 about Carfax: How reliable is a CARFAX report? Consumer Attorney John Gayle with The Consumer Law Group in Richmond talks about the reliability of your CARFAX report and what you need to do when buying a used car.
Motor Vehicle Dealer Board: The Motor Vehicle Dealer Board will administer sections of the Commonwealth’s Motor Vehicle Dealer Laws and Regulations as charged; promote the best interests of both the automotive consumer and dealer body; and process all motor vehicle related complaints promptly and professionally; while providing a high level of customer service.
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence: Under the Motorists section of the ASE website you will find important information about why you should seek ASE-Certified professionals when looking for a repair shop as well as information on the care and upkeep of your vehicle.
National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB): To identify vehicles that have flood damage, check the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) Database.
Salvage or Flood Vehicle Virginia and Auto Fraud: NMVTIS is administered by the US Justice Department. The report, which costs $2.00 for each request, provides data on the 5 key indicators, intended to prevent auto fraud and theft:
1. Curent Titling State and Last Title Date
2. Brand History: Brand information, applied by state motor vehicle titling agencies, including junk, salvage and flood.
3. Odometer Reading
4. Total Loss History
5. Salvage History
The Car Care Council: Before you buy a used vehicle, have it inspected by a qualified mechanic that routinely does automotive diagnostic work. A thorough diagnostic should cost around $120. This organization certifies diagnostic shops.
The Virginia Consumer Protection Act: Every consumer should know the law in order to protect your rights. Read The Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

Credit Report Problems

Annual Credit Report: The official Web site to distribute a free yearly credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting bureaus.
CSC CREDIT SERVICES: P.O. Box 674402
Houston, TX 77267-4402
(800) 759-5979
FEE: $9.00 ($3.00 for MN residents)
EQUIFAX CREDIT INFORMATION SERVICES: P.O. Box 105873
Atlanta, GA 30348
(800) 685-1111
FEE: $9.00 ($3.00 for MN residents)
EXPERIAN: P.O. Box 9595
Allen, TX 75013
(800) 583-4080
FEE: $9.00 ($3.00 for MN residents)
Free Annual Credit Report: This is a central site that allows you to request a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
TRANS UNION CORPORATION: Consumer Relations Center
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19016-1000
(800) 888-4213
FEE: $9.00 ($3.00 for MN residents)

Law Firm Websites

Attorneys For Consumers: Attorneys Representing Consumers.
Debt Help Lawyers: Affordable Debt Help Services by Licensed Attorneys
lawyers.com: A great way to find lawyers in your area.
Virginia Injury Attorney: Virginia Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice Attorney

General

5 Car Myths You Should Know about Car Repairs: 5 Car Myths You Should Know. Knowing what myths and legends exist in the car repair world may potentially save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety: An alliance of consumer, health, and safety groups, and insurance companies.
AutoTrader.com: Research and compare vehicles.
Better Business Bureau: Start With Trust
CarBargains: CarBargains’ new car shopping service uses competitive bidding to find you the best price on your new car. The nonprofit's service is unique.
CARS - Car Allowance Rebate System: This guide will help you determine if your trade-in and new vehicle qualify for the CARS program and, if so, how much your trade-in is worth.
Cars.com: Buy, Sell, Research, and get Shopping Advice on New and Used Vehicles.
Comcast & Verizon outages, Consumer Attorney Reaction: Consumer Attorney, John Cole Gayle, Jr. responds to questions about Comcast and Verizon outages due to Hurricane Irene.
Consumer Action: Complaint handling and advocacy related to consumer rights.
Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety: Auto safety, airbags, and lemon laws.
Cutting Car Costs: Inspiring report published in the NY Times, by Lisa Margonelli of the New America Foundation - shows what a difference it makes in a family's life to get a fair deal in an auto transaction after being ripped off.
Environmental Protection Agency: EPA's responsibilities include setting and enforcing air and noise emission standards for motor vehicles and measuring fuel economy in new vehicles (EPA Fuel Economy Guide).
Federal Trade Commission: The FTC regulates advertising, credit practices, marketing abuses, and professional services and ensures that products are properly labeled (as in fuel economy ratings). The commission covers unfair or deceptive trade practices in motor vehicle sales and repairs, as well as non-safety defects.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent, nonprofit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses — deaths, injuries, and property damage - from crashes on the nation's highways.
Kids and Cars:
Safety and advocacy related to protecting children in and around motor vehicles.
NADA Guides: Vehicle pricing and information.
Nation Highway Traffic Administration: Our Mission: Save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes.
National Association of Consumer Advocates: NACA
National Consumer Law Center: NCLC
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website contains useful information on safety standards, crash tests, recalls, technical service bulletins, child seats, and safety advisories.
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System Resource Center: NMVTIS is an electronic system that enables users to access automobile titling information, including brand history and certain historical theft data.
Public Health Advocacy Institute Motor Vehicle Hazard Archives Project: The Project's mission is to preserve and broaden access to historical and current information about motor vehicle hazards and injury control. The website offers free information about vehicle safety and motor vehicle hazard control.
S.A.N.E., Inc.: Advocates and distributes information for better driving behavior and vehicle safety.
SafetyBelt Safe, U. S. A.: Excellent information and training on child safety seats and safety belt usage.
Six Things Never to Say at an Auto Dealership: When you are buying a car, pretend you are playing poker! Don't become friends with your salesperson, don't show your emotions, take your time deciding, don't discuss interest rates, don't talk about the monthly payments and don't talk about your trade-in value.
Technical Service Bulletins: Lists of Defects and Recalls. Search for any Service Bulletins before you purchase a used vehicle.
The Center for Auto Safety: Consumers Union and Ralph Nader founded the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) in 1970 to provide consumers a voice for auto safety and quality in Washington and to help lemon owners fight back across the country.
TrueCar: TrueCar helps you research new car prices and find the best deals in your area.
U.S. Department of Justice: The DOJ enforces federal law that requires manufacturers to label new automobiles and forbids removal or alteration of labels before delivery to consumers. labels must contain make, model, vehicle identification number, dealer's name, suggested base price, and manufacturer's suggested retail price.
United States Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
www.autopedia.com: A place where consumers can find information related to Autos, Boats, Trucks, Minivans, Motorcycles, RVs, SUVs and the Lemon Law.
www.carfax.com
www.consumerauto.com
www.kbb.com: Kelley Blue Book
www.nada.com
www.nada.org
www.nhtsa.org
www.pistonslap.com
www.planetfeedback.com: Helping Consumers Express Their Voice, Helping Companies Prime Their Ears.

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