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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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Patty Anderson, Attorney
5905 West Broad Street, Suite 303
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-282-7900
Fax: 804-673-0316
Get Directions

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Case Results

Awarded: $34,000 in punitive damages

Awarded: Over $114,500

Misrepresentation costly for Norfolk dealership

Awarded: $114,400

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The Consumer Law Group, P.C.

On the page below you can find links to documents, reports, publications and discussions provided by The Consumer Law Group, P.C.. As an attorney with years of experience practicing Virginia Lemon Law, Auto Fraud, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and Credit Fraud & Identity Theft; we have acquired expertise in a number of areas.

The documents below are available to the public so that they can gain a better understanding of the legal challenges facing them, and why an experienced attorney is so important for success.

Library Categories:

Virginia Lemon Law:

Summary of the Virginia Lemon Law
Description: What is the Virginia Lemon Law and how does it work?
Sample Letter to put the Manufacturer on Notice to Buyback your Vehicle Under the Virginia Lemon Law.
Description: View a sample of The Consumer Law Group's letter to put the manufacturer on notice under the Virginia Lemon Law.
Instructions on How to Give Notice to the Manufacturer for a Virginia Lemon Law Buyback
Description: Instructions on How to Give Notice to the Manufacturer Under the Virginia Lemon Law
The Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act
Description: Read the Virginia Lemon Law
Virginia Lemon Law - Addresses for Automobile Manufacturers
Description: Under the Virginia Lemon Law, you first need to put the manufacturer on notice. Your warranty book should have the proper address to write to the manufacturer. If you do not have your warranty book you can use the addresses listed here for various Automobile Manufacturers. (Please note, your warranty book is more accurate.)

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Virginia Lemon Law Articles:

Take the Virginia Lemon Law Test
Description: Take the Virginia Lemon Law test to see if your vehicle qualifies under the Virginia Lemon Law.
HYUNDAI BUYERS BEWARE
Description: The Hyundai warranty manual contains a binding arbitration clause, which you do not want.
Why the Dealer Won't Help Me: by Greg Artim
Description: You purchase your dream car after years of saving to afford it. Then, something goes wrong. You take the vehicle in to the Dealer's Service Department and are met with a "Who Cares?" attitude.
Class Action Lawsuit Over Ford's Arbitrary Cutting of Warranty Reimbursement Charges at Ford Dealerships: by Robert F. Brennan, Esq.
Description: There is a class action lawsuit filed by Ford dealership mechanics themselves against Ford Motor Corp. Evidently Ford Motor Corp. has arbitrarily cut the "SLTS" (service labor time standards) for various warranty repairs and services by up to 30%, according to the allegations made on the mechanics' website.
What You Need To Know About The Lemon Law: by Terry Dunn
Description: The Lemon Law offers consumers protection against defects in the car and gives them the right to demand for replacement or refund.

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Virginia Lemon Law Case Results:

Lemon Law Case Results Against Chrysler LLC
Description: See a sample of Lemon Law case results that involve Chrysler vehicles.
Virginia Lemon Law Case Results
Description: Recent Virginia Lemon Law settlements that John Cole Gayle, Jr. has obtained.
Lemon Law Case Results Against Ford
Description: See a sample of Lemon Law case results that involve Ford vehicles.
Lemon Law Case Results Against General Motors Corporation
Description: See a sample of Lemon Law case results that involve General Motor Corporation vehicles.

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Auto Fraud:

CLAIMS AGAINST A DEALERSHIP THAT GOES OUT OF BUSINESS
Description: When a dealership goes out of business, what should a consumer do about their claims? Often this question comes up when a dealership closes and vehicles that were traded in on the purchase of another car have liens that never get paid off by the dealer.
Consumer Beware of Automobile Fraud As You Shop for a Vehicle
Description: There are many opportunities for fraud and dirty dealing in buying a vehicle. The consumer needs to be aware of different types of automobile fraud as you shop for a vehicle.
Consumer Law: Beware of the Spot Delivery Technique.
Description: Increasingly, buyers are signing purchase papers and driving away in their new cars, only to find out that the financing they agreed on didn’t fall into place! At that point, the consumer is usually told that they must either return the car, unless you want the car to be repossessed, or sign up for sub-par financing at a very high interest rate per year. The consumer should know the law and beware of the spot delivery technique.
Consumer Law: The Virginia Consumer Protection Act
Description: Know your rights under The Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
EIGHT THINGS TO DO WHEN BUYING CARS
Description: Eight Tips For Buying Cars

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Auto Fraud Articles:

Buying Used Cars - Top 10 Dealership Scams: by admin!!
Description: A dealer will charge you for window etching and they will tell you that you have to pay the money to get the loan because the banks insists on it. Some dealers might tell you that the etching is free but will add on the etch money to your monthly payments to make up for it. The best way to avoid this scam is to force the dealer to put it in writing if they say that the etching is free or simply etch the car yourself. Remember a lender doesn't require that you purchase any extras on a car. All the lender cares about is that you can make your payments on time regularly. Don't buy into it.
Auto Repair Fraud and How to Avoid It: By Sammy Beanard
Description: Given the sophisticated equipment in most automobiles today, it is no wonder that consumers find themselves at the mercy of auto repair shops, and are often left wondering whether the $500 they just spent for repairs was necessary, or was it just money that was wasted?
The Trouble With Carfax: By Louis M. Green, Attorney at Law
Description: This article about Carfax and the problems with depending on it too much. Your report may only be worth a little more than the paper it's written on.
Tips on How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Vehicle
Description: NADA offers 10 inspection tips that may be used to detect significant water damage.
CONSUMER WATCH: The downside of Voluntary Repossession
Description: In a Richmond Times Dispatch article, Iris Taylor wrote about the downside of voluntary repossession. John Cole Gayle, Jr. of The Consumer Law Group was quoted in the article.

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Auto Fraud Case Results:

Car Dealership Pays Over $114,500 For Fraud In Selling Wrecked Vehicle
Description: Misrepresentations Costly For Norfolk Dealership
Auto Fraud: Prior Wrecked Vehicle - Settled for $52,000
Description: Our client alleges that the prior accident history, damage, and repairs to the vehicle were known, or should have been known, prior to selling the vehicle to him, but were never disclosed to him prior to his purchase of the vehicle. Our client alleges that these repairs were obvious to anyone inspecting the vehicles in the auto purchase industry.
The Consumer Law Group - “Rebuilt” Vehicles - Auto Fraud Case
Description: Two different plaintiffs had auto fraud cases against a major insurance company. In both cases, the vehicles purchased were involved in a prior collision.
The Consumer Law Group Case Result: SALE OF CAR, WRECKED TWICE BEFORE
Description: A vehicle was sold to the Plaintiff and the dealership did not disclose any prior wreck damage.
The Consumer Law Group Case Result: Sale of Salvaged Vehicle Without Notice
Description: A franchise dealership purchased a vehicle several days prior to its purchase by the Plaintiffs. Prior to the dealership purchasing the vehicle, it had ben issued four different titles.

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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA):

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) - Questionnaire [PDF]
Description: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors (not creditors) from engaging in abusive, deceptive, and unfair practices. The FDCPA does not apply to your original creditor. It regulates only debt collectors’ conduct. Before we can fully evaluate your situation, and thus determine if you have a valid claim, we would like you to print off the worksheet attached titled “Fair Debt Questionnaire.” Please fill out the questionnaire and fax it to our affiliated office, at their toll free fax, at 866-773-6152.
Cease and Desist Letter to Debt Collector
Description: Once a Debt Collector receives your cease and desitst letter, they are required to stop all the communications except to notity you about the actions that will be taken against you. Use this letter as your consumer rights are outlined in the FDCPA law.
Follow Up Letter For Debt Validation When First Letter Is Ignored
Description: Here is a sample letter to use when the first debt validation letter is ignored. Be sure to keep a copy of the letter for your records, and send the second letter by certified mail with a return receipt.
Letter For Debt Validation
Description: In accordance with the FDCPA, you have the right to request for a validation of your debt. This letter is asking for proof regarding this and verifying the same. You may use the following sample letter to ask for this proof. Be sure to keep a copy of the letter for your records, and send the letter by certified mail with a return receipt.

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FDCPA Articles:

How Can I Better Deal with Debt Collectors? by Liz Roberts
Description: Dealing with debt collectors can be nerve-wracking. When Imagine how you would feel if you have to answer calls even during inconvenient hours. In this article, we will discuss the positive steps that you can do when dealing with debt collectors.
Dealing with Collection Agencies: by Dom Estable
Description: According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Americans have rights even when they are behind on their bills.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: by Anthony and Maricar Wing
Description: In the USA the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (also known as the FDCPA) is a law that was added in 1978, which protects people in financial trouble from debt collectors that use illegal methods to extract money from people. It also provides an avenue for consumers to contest any information that is not correct that may be on their record. This extract gives an overview as we understand it although it is brief and we do not warrant the accuracy of the information.
How Long Can Old Debt Follow You?: by Vincent Polisi
Description: If you have an old debt that you are unable to pay, you may be worried that it is going to haunt you forever! The good news is that for most debts, there is a statute of limitations which prevents lenders from hounding you for something that happened 20 years ago! The only debts that have no statue of limitations are income tax debt, federal student loans and child support.
How To Handle Debt Collectors: by Michael Redbourn
Description: Most debt collectors are very experienced and they know the law as it relates to their job, whereas most debtors are inexperienced, don't know the law and are therefore easy to trick, and to intimidate. So if you're afraid to answer your phone because you're worried that the call will be from a collection agency, then it's vitally important that you know what to say to them, and what not to say to them, and more importantly that you know what you can sign, and what you definitely mustn't sign.

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FDCPA Case Results:

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Case Results
Description: Recent FDCPA case results that John Cole Gayle, Jr. has obtained.

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Credit Fraud & Identity Theft:

3 Major Consumer Reporting Agencies
Description: To order copies or to dispute your credit reports, write to each of the three major Consumer Reporting Agencies.

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Credit Fraud & Identity Theft Articles:

How to Report Identity Theft: by Joe Farinaccio
Description: Many police departments don't want to deal with identity theft. If your local police resist the idea of filling out an official police report then politely insist.
Identity Theft Crime
Description: Identity theft crime is becoming more widespread all the time. There are many ways criminals obtain your personal information. Here are some ways to prevent it as well as what you should do after the fact if it happens to you.
‘FREE’ CREDIT REPORTS - BEWARE OF ADD-ONS
Description: Consumer Reports magazine reported the following information in their August, 2007 issue.
How To Avoid Credit Fraud & Identiy Theft
Description: What are some ways to avoid Credit Fraud & Identity Theft?
Reporting Identity Theft: by Joe Farinaccio
Description: After contacting the 3 big credit reporting agencies and informing them of identity fraud, a victim needs to begin the process of clearing up any fraudulent records generated by the identity thief. This usually involves obtaining a police report.

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General:

This article was provided by U.S. News & World Report
Description: Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, you should never buy a car on impulse. The buying process takes time, research, careful thought and even some strategy.
Electric Vehicles: GM Goes Electric: by Michael Waterman & Katrina Ramser
Description: GM’s future is directly tied to electric vehicles. At least that’s the sense you received listening to Bob Lutz, vice chairman of GM, deliver the Motor Press Guild keynote speech at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.
What Not To Say When Buying A Car: By Hannah Elliott
Description: It's easy to get excited by a new car. But if you want a chance at getting a good deal on one of the 2010 models, keep that enthusiasm to yourself. It's the only way to walk out of the showroom with your dignity--and your wallet--intact
New Models Stir Car Buyers by Jim Ostroff, Associate Editor, The Kiplinger Letter
Description: Auto dealers are growing more encouraged about revving up sales next year. Showroom traffic is picking up, and not just from folks lured by the cash for clunkers program.

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©2010 The Consumer Law Group, P.C., All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission
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