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• Virginia Lemon Law
  • Having trouble making your car payments?
  • Auto Recall, BMW Recalls 1.3 Million 5 & 6 Series Vehicles

• Auto Fraud
  • The Federal Trade Commission is Cracking Down on Car Ads
  • Virginia Auto Fraud and Yo-Yo Sales, the Federal Trade Commission is investigating
  • Enterprise still won't back Houck Act
  • Lemon Rental Cars - Hertz Backs Federal Law

• Debt Harrassment
  • New Low for Debt Collectors
  • Credit Problems? New website can help with questions and answers.
  • Debt Collectors are Banned from the Industry

• Credit Report Problems
  • Credit Problems on your Credit Report

• General
  • REVAMPED. ("Like" The Consumer Law Group to connect to Virginia's best resource for news on auto & debt problems.)

Practice Areas

• Virginia Lemon Law
• Auto Fraud
• Debt Harrassment
• Credit Report Problems
• Debt Settlement

News

• John Cole Gayle, Jr. discusses a new tactic car dealers are using to reel in consumers with Gray Hall of NBC12 in Richmond, VA
• Virginia Auto Fraud Attorney and Yo-Yo Auto Fraud Sales
• Subaru Rated Top Carmaker for 2012 by Consumer Reports
• Hyundai Ranks Highest in Customer Retention among 33 Automotive Brands
• Car Buyer Rights in Virginia Extended Warranties
• Selling Cars on Consignment
• Is Your Car a Lemon? Top 10 Car Maintenance Mistakes
• 115 Cars Made 2012 Top Saftey Picks' List
• Debt Settlement Definitions
• Leased Cars Instead of Clunkers are Popular for High Schoolers
• Avoid Credit Card Fraud
• Guide To Summer Road Travel
• Best Ways to Save Gas
• Gas Pumping Tips
• 2011 Automotive Hot List: The Departed...
• How to sue telemarketers in small claims court
• Know what your contract says
• Stop aggressive debt collectors: You have rights
• 3 Auto Dealer Tactics the Overhaul Missed: By RON LIEBER
• The $555,000 Student-Loan Burden: provided by The Wall Street Journal
• Beware the Rip-Off Sticker: Provided by edmonds.com
• Secret tips for buying a new car: Provided by CNNMoney.com
• 'No evidence of failure' after US recall fixes: Toyota
• U.S. satisfied with Toyota recall remedy: By John Crawley John Crawley
• GM to make its own electric motors in 2013: By DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP
• Ford, Subaru, VW Win Insurance Industry Picks: By Ken Thomas
• 10 SUVs That Keep Going and Going and Going...: by Eric Mack Monday, July 20, 2009
• Most Popular Cars of 2009: By Jeff Voth, CarNews Media
• Volkswagen Steals Toyota's Crown as World's Largest Automaker: By Sean Tucker
• 6 Car Buying Mistakes You Might Have Made: by Katrina Ramser
• The 5 Best Low-Cost, High-Mileage Cars: By Ron Amadon
• Toyota to recall 3.8M vehicles over floor mats: By By Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer
• Car Safety Recalls: What You Need to Know: By Lauren DeAngelis
• Win at the Credit Scoring Game: by Carla Fried provided by CNNMoney.com
• How to Avoid the 'Cash for Clunkers' Snarl: By Rick Newman from U.S. News
• America's Most Overpriced Cars: By Hannah Elliott
• Final Frontier: Below Dealer Cost: by Jonathan Welsh
• 7 Ways to Be a Dolt About Credit: By Sheyna Steiner
• Debt: The next big American crisis? By Chris Hansen, Correspondent Dateline NBC
• 6 Used-Car Traps and How to Avoid Them: By Jada A. Graves
• Better Business Bureau starts rating businesses with letter grades: By Eileen Ambrose -- Personal Finance
• Virginia Lawyers Weekly, January 26, 2009 - Lemon Law Verdict
• Chrysler Violates Lemon Law, Has To Repurchase the Vehicle And Pays Over $70,000 in Legal Fees
• CONSUMER WATCH: The downside of voluntary repossession
• Misrepresentation costly for Norfolk dealership
• USED-VEHICLE PURCHASE
• J. Smith v. Casey Chevrolet, Circuit Court of Newport News, Virginia:
• Charlie Falk Auto Wholesale, Inc. Pays Judgments
• CONSUMER WATCH: Looking for options in tough cases
• Fine Print Binds Car Buyers
• Consumer Watch: Couple gets some relief in warranty case
• Virginia Lemon Law - Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act
• Dealership Found Guilty of Fraud, Jury Awards Punitive Damages

Case Results

• Virginia Lemon Law
  • Serious Electrical Problems leads to a Great Lemon Law Case for a 2010 SUV
  • The Lemon Law solved a problem client had with a water leak in 2011 SUV
  • Lemon Law Case with Subaru Settled
  • Lemon Law case settled in Virginia over Bluetooth System in Cadillace
  • Virginia Lemon Law Cases
  • Chrysler Violates Lemon Law, Has To Repurchase the Vehicle And Pays Over $70,000 in Legal Fees
  • Virginia Lemon Law - Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act

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

  Awarded: $57,000

  • GM Dealer Settles Fraud Case After Two Mistrials

  Awarded: Confidential

  • 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
  • Auto Fraud Case Results
  • Misrepresentation costly for Norfolk dealership

  Awarded: $114,400

  • Car Dealership Pays Over $114,500 For Fraud In Selling Wrecked Vehicle

  Awarded: Over $114,500

  • Auto Fraud - Settled Case
  • Automobile Fraud
  • Settled Case - Prior Wreck Auto Fraud
  • Settled Case - Auto Fraud
  • Charlie Falk Auto Wholesale, Inc. Pays Judgments
  • CAR DEALER ORDERED TO PAY $140,000 + FOR FRAUD, CLAIMS POVERTY
  • Dealership Found Guilty of Fraud in Sale of BMW
  • Richmond Dealer Guilty of Fraud, Punitive Damages Awarded

  Awarded: $34,000 in punitive damages

• Debt Harrassment
  • Win for our client against debt harassment
  • Debt Collector
  • FDCPA- Case Results and Settlements
  • NCO Financial Systems, Inc. Violates FDCPA Laws

• Debt Settlement
  • Debt Settlement case saves the client $35,000

Document Library

• Virginia Lemon Law
  • Take the Virginia Lemon Law Test
  • HYUNDAI BUYERS BEWARE

• Auto Fraud
  • What to do if you regret your auto purchase.....

• Debt Settlement
  • Debt Settlement Questionnaire

• Virginia Lemon Law Articles
  • Why the Dealer Won't Help Me: by Greg Artim
  • Class Action Lawsuit Over Ford's Arbitrary Cutting of Warranty Reimbursement Charges at Ford Dealerships: by Robert F. Brennan, Esq.
  • What You Need To Know About The Lemon Law: by Terry Dunn
  • Virginia Lemon Law: By Peter Gitundu
  • The Lemon Laws: by Greg Artim
  • New Car Troubles? - Legal Tips: by Greg Artim
  • The Lemon Law
  • Lemon Law Tips
  • Lemon Laws Equals Protecting Your Rights
  • EIGHT THINGS TO DO WHEN BUYING CARS

• Virginia Lemon Law Case Results
  • Lemon Law Case Results Against Chrysler LLC
  • Virginia Lemon Law Case Results
  • Lemon Law Case Results Against Ford
  • Lemon Law Case Results Against General Motors Corporation

• Auto Fraud
  • CLAIMS AGAINST A DEALERSHIP THAT GOES OUT OF BUSINESS
  • Consumer Beware of Automobile Fraud As You Shop for a Vehicle
  • Consumer Law: Beware of the Spot Delivery Technique.
  • Consumer Law: The Virginia Consumer Protection Act
  • EIGHT THINGS TO DO WHEN BUYING CARS

• Auto Fraud Articles
  • How to combat Auto Fraud when purchasing a car online. Don't get scammed.
  • Buying Used Cars - Top 10 Dealership Scams: by admin!!
  • Auto Repair Fraud and How to Avoid It: By Sammy Beanard
  • The Trouble With Carfax: By Louis M. Green, Attorney at Law
  • Tips on How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Vehicle
  • CONSUMER WATCH: The downside of Voluntary Repossession
  • Car Dealer Scams Used to Get Your Money and How to Avoid Them: by Steve Faber
  • How to Avoid Auto Repair Fraud: By Perry Gibson
  • Should I purchase a vehicle AS IS?: by Greg Artim
  • Legal questions to ask before buying a Used Vehicle: by Greg Artim
  • Rebuilt Wrecks Emerging Threat To Car Buyers: by admin
  • The Smart Consumer's Guide to Buying a Used Car by Robert F. Brennan, Esq.
  • Tips On Dealing With Auto Fraud
  • 10 Top Tips for Inspecting a Used Car
  • Tips On Buying A Used Vehicle by admin
  • Do Not Be a Dealership Victim

• Auto Fraud Case Results
  • Car Dealership Pays Over $114,500 For Fraud In Selling Wrecked Vehicle
  • Auto Fraud: Prior Wrecked Vehicle - Settled for $52,000
  • The Consumer Law Group - “Rebuilt” Vehicles - Auto Fraud Case
  • The Consumer Law Group Case Result: SALE OF CAR, WRECKED TWICE BEFORE
  • The Consumer Law Group Case Result: Sale of Salvaged Vehicle Without Notice
  • The Consumer Law Group Case Result: Prior Wrecked Vehicle
  • The Consumer Law Group Case Result: Used Vehicle Sold As New
  • The Consumer Law Group Case Result: Vehicle Repossession
  • The Consumer Law Group Case Result: Certified Pre-owned Scam

• Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
  • Contact us and we will send you a copy of the letter to send to your Debt Collector, we will explain how the whole process works, and we can help you send the letter if needed.
  • Stop Debt Collector from harassing you now!
  • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) - Questionnaire
  • Follow Up Letter For Debt Validation When First Letter Is Ignored
  • Letter For Debt Validation

• FDCPA Articles
  • Debt-relief companies getting new FTC rules By Iris Taylor | TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNIST Published: August 29, 2010
  • The $555,000 Student-Loan Burden: by Mary Pilon - Provided by THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
  • How Can I Better Deal with Debt Collectors? by Liz Roberts
  • Dealing with Collection Agencies: by Dom Estable
  • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: by Anthony and Maricar Wing
  • How Long Can Old Debt Follow You?: by Vincent Polisi
  • How To Handle Debt Collectors: by Michael Redbourn
  • FDCPA - Facts That You Should Know About It: By Jason Holmes
  • The Statue Of Limitations On Debt - Step-By-Step by Michael Redbourn
  • How to Stop Ongoing Harassment From a Collection Agency: by Frank Sullivan
  • How The Debt Collection Act Affects You: by Alan King
  • Bill Collectors and Old Debt Be Careful What You Say by Chris A Smith
  • Collection Agency Procedure To Collect Unpaid Debt - Basic Debt Collection Techniques: by K D Garrow

• FDCPA Case Results
  • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Case Results

• Credit Fraud & Identity Theft
  • 3 Major Consumer Reporting Agencies

• Credit Fraud & Identity Theft Articles
  • How to Report Identity Theft: by Joe Farinaccio
  • Identity Theft Crime
  • ‘FREE’ CREDIT REPORTS - BEWARE OF ADD-ONS
  • How To Avoid Credit Fraud & Identiy Theft
  • Reporting Identity Theft: by Joe Farinaccio
  • Protecting Yourself From Identity Thieves: by Janet F Henderson
  • Building A Better Credit Record: by a-1credit
  • How to Stop Identity Theft: by Joe Farinaccio
  • Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft: by Jon Arnold
  • Reporting Identity Theft to Credit Bureaus: by Kristy Annely
  • What to Do If Wallet is Stolen: by Joe Farinaccio
  • How to Deal With a Stolen Identity: by Joe Farinaccio
  • Unauthorized Access of Credit Reports: Your Rights Under the Law- by Robert F. Brennan, Esq.
  • Free Resources to Help Fight Identity Theft: by Jason Shafer
  • Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft is Impossible: By Jayson Hahn
  • Checking Your Credit File - Important Points
  • Credit Report Repair
  • Identity Theft Repair - How to Fix the Damage
  • How to Prevent Identity Theft - Take Charge

• General
  • Know what your contract says

• General
  • Follow the Money To Become a Savvier Shopper. By Philip Reed, Senior Consumer Advice Editor
  • Why It's Easier to Buy a Car Now: by Joseph B. White Sweet deals -- 0% interest, no down payment -- for drivers with good credit.
  • This article was provided by U.S. News & World Report
  • Electric Vehicles: GM Goes Electric: by Michael Waterman & Katrina Ramser
  • What Not To Say When Buying A Car: By Hannah Elliott
  • New Models Stir Car Buyers by Jim Ostroff, Associate Editor, The Kiplinger Letter
  • How To Decode Your Car's VIN: By Matt Hardigree
  • Tips on Choosing the Right Vehicle: by Brenda Williams
  • Unscrupulous And Dishonest Car Dealers: by Robert W. Smith, Sr.
  • Summary of the Virginia Lemon Law
  • Sample Letter to put the Manufacturer on Notice to Buyback your Vehicle Under the Virginia Lemon Law.
  • The Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act
  • Instructions on How to Give Notice to the Manufacturer for a Virginia Lemon Law Buyback
  • Virginia Lemon Law - Addresses for Automobile Manufacturers
  • What Everybody Ought to Know About Buying Used Cars: by Terry Bolton
  • 6 Great Tips for Buying a Car: by Mike Boudet
  • Planning on Buying a Used Car?: by Brenda Williams
  • Purchasing a Pre-Owned Vehicle: by Shane Rethwisch
  • How to Avoid Car Dealership Scams: by Derek Hudson
  • How to spot a lemon: provided by ConsumerReports.org
  • Car Purchase Procedure
  • Dealing With a Dealer For a New Car
  • Financing Your New Car
  • 10 Common Car-Buying Mistakes
  • Five Tips For Buying a Used Car
  • Car Buying Scams
  • Tips For Buying Your First Car
  • Can You Answer These 10 Important Questions About Repossed (Repo) Car Auctions?
  • TEN TOP TIPS FOR CAR BUYERS: By Remar Sutton
  • EIGHT TIPS FOR BUYING CARS
  • Car Buying Tips:
  • Client's Bill of Rights
  • Lemon Law Intake Form

Frequently Asked Questions

• Virginia Lemon Law
  • I have been forced into arbitration, what can I do?
  • How do I know if my car is a lemon?
  • Does my vehicle qualify under the Virginia Lemon Law?
  • What is the Virginia Lemon Law and how does it work?
  • What types of vehicles are covered by Virginia's Lemon Law?
  • Does Virginia's Lemon Law cover used vehicles?
  • What is a "lemon" vehicle?
  • Are business vehicles covered by Virginia's Lemon Law?
  • Is there a time deadline to file a Lemon Law claim?
  • The manufacturer wants to give me an extended warranty instead of replacing my car. What happens if I accept it?
  • I have a lemon and the manufacturer has agreed to replace it but it wants me to pay for the mileage. Do I have to do that?
  • How many times do I have to give the dealer the chance to fix my car before it qualifies as a lemon?
  • If I have a lemon, what remedy am I entitled to?
  • Do I have to pay any attorney fees?
  • What are some Lemon Law tips?
  • How do I notify the Manufacturer of any problems?
  • Does the consumer have 3 days to change his mind and return a car to the dealership?
  • What can the consumer do if the vehicle appears to be a lemon, and the vehicle is older than 18 months?

• Auto Fraud
  • What can I do if I regret my car purchase?
  • What do I do if a car dealer lied to me?
  • If I am unhappy with the way my vehicle is performing, should I stop making payments on it and let it be voluntarily repossessed?
  • How does a voluntary repossession of a vehicle hurt me?
  • How can a consumer find out the history of a used vehicle prior to purchase?
  • What shoulda consumerdo about claims against a dealership that has gone out of business?
  • What can I do if the dealership contacts me after the sale, and wants me to re-sign the paperwork, or bring the vehicle back because the financing could not be worked out, all after being told that it was a done deal?
  • How can a consumer determine if his vehicle was wrecked prior to being sold to him?
  • What can a consumer do if she pays a mechanic to fix her car, and they replace the wrong part, while charging her for a different part?
  • What can a consumer do if a mechanic is negligent in repairing the vehicle, and this negligence leads to a future problem or an accident?
  • What should a consumer do when a warranty company rejects honoring the warranty because they claim the consumer did not maintain the vehicle, or that the consumer abused the vehicle?
  • What should a consumer do once he knows that the vehicle was wrecked prior to being sold to him?

• Debt Harrassment
  • Can a debt collector garnish my wages or bank account?
  • Can a debt collector tell other people about my debt?
  • How do Debt Collectors get my cell phone number?
  • Debt Collectors are calling my cell phone, what can I do?
  • Who is a debtor?
  • Who is a debt collector?
  • What laws protect me from abusive debt collectors or harassment from a debt collector?
  • What should I do if a debt collector contacts me?
  • What Are My Rights if a debt collector contacts me?
  • What should I do if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
  • Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
  • What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
  • Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
  • Can federal benefits be garnished?
  • Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
  • Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages?
  • What practices are off limits for debt collectors?
  • Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I dont think I owe any money?
  • What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
  • Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
  • How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
  • Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?
  • What types of debts are covered?
  • How do I stop collection calls?
  • Can the funds in my bank account be seized or frozen by collectors?
  • What are the Statutes of Limitation on a debt?
  • Are charged off debts still collectable?
  • How does FDCPA help me?

• Debt Settlement
  • How do creditors get paid with this program?
  • Do I really need a debt settlement attorney?
  • What types of debts can be settled with debt settlement?
  • How long does debt settlement take?

• Credit Report Problems
  • What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act?
  • If I am unhappy with the way my vehicle is performing, should I stop making payments on it and let it be voluntarily repossessed?
  • How does a voluntary repossession of a vehicle hurt me?
  • Your Credit Report: What should you know?
  • Was I denied credit because of a bad credit report?
  • How do I locate the Consumer Reporting Agency that has my file?
  • Do I have the right to know what the credit report says?
  • Is this information free?
  • What can I do if the information on my credit report is inaccurate or incomplete?
  • What can I do if the Consumer Reporting Agency won't modify the credit report?
  • How long can Consumer Reporting Agencies report unfavorable information on my credit report?
  • What if I think a Consumer Reporting Agency has violated my rights under the law?
  • How do I order a copy of my credit report?
  • What can a consumer do if there is an error on his credit report?
  • What should a consumer do if his identity has been stolen and used to obtain credit?
  • What are some ways to avoid Credit Fraud Identity Theft?
  • How do I get my annual free credit report?

• General
  • What is the Virginia Consumer Protection Act?
  • Why retain The Consumer Law Group, P.C. rather than a national "mill" firm?
  • What legal action can I take against a debt collector?
  • Is it worth it for me to look into debt settlement for just one card?

Staff

• General
  • John C. Gayle, Jr.

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