Consumer Law in Alabama

Do you need a consumer law attorney in Alabama to fight for your rights and bring fraudsters to justice? We can match you with the right lawyer to help you reclaim your rights.

Common Types of Consumer Fraud in Alabama

Consumer fraud primarily refers to deceptive practices that can cause customers in Alabama to suffer financial, physical, or emotional injury. Fraudulent practices can also occur at the individual level, such as when someone falls victim to lottery scams. Consumer law refers to the regulations that define unlawful actions and how consumers can seek justice.

Sometimes, becoming a victim of consumer fraud in Alabama can also lead to criminal charges against you. For instance, it can be strenuous to clear your name after you donate to a charitable organization involved with money laundering.

WAFF reports on some of the most frequent scams that target citizens in Alabama. For instance, one man from Limestone County received multiple contacts from a fraudster claiming to be from his bank. While he suspected wrongdoing, they had managed to spoof the financial institution’s phone number. Regardless of your background or savviness, criminals will go to great lengths to deceive you.

Many people are embarrassed about falling for a scam, and they suffer in silence. But, speaking up can help to bring the persons responsible to justice. Even when it does not, it helps spread awareness and stop other consumers from falling victim to the same fate.

What Types of Fraud are in Consumer Law?

If you suffered damages because of consumer fraud in Alabama, you might be able to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. Taking a closer look at the most common types of consumer fraud found under consumer law can help you determine if you have a legitimate claim.

Identity Theft

This type of consumer fraud happens when a nefarious Alabama company or individual steals your personal information. They might steal your bank account information, Social Security number, full name, or credit card numbers. One of the most common identity theft methods is data mining.

Once an individual has your personal information, they can open credit cards or make fraudulent charges on existing ones. Some thieves will even open utility accounts in your name as a way to prove residency. After they can accomplish this task, they have even more options to apply for loans or credit cards. Sometimes identity thieves gain access to your bank account and drain all the funds that you have available. There are also reports of scams that access health insurance and place medical charges on the victim’s insurance. Proving that you are a victim of identity theft can be very complicated. Consequently, hiring a dedicated and experienced Alabama consumer law fraud lawyer is essential to proving your innocence.

Fake Organizations

Fake charities are difficult to spot because they use similar techniques that legitimate ones rely on to raise funds. That’s why it’s important for you to understand where your money is going before you decide to donate to an organization. The same is true when investing or purchasing goods and services.

You can identify if any Alabama organization is legitimate if they have registration in the state. Or, the IRS should verify their non-profit status. But, scammers can legitimately register an organization for illegal purposes. Take the time to research how your money gets used before investing in a business or donating to charity.

The Code of Alabama contains definitions of what the law considers to be charity fraud and its consequences. Nonprofits need to register with the government and are liable for swindling residents. The current levels of criminal violations under state legislation are:

• Class A misdemeanor for up to $500
• Class C felony for $500 to $2,500
• Felony Class B for up to $2,500

When it comes to products and services, looking up customer reviews can help. The more reviews a product or service has, the more likely it is a legitimate organization. However, people can buy these illegally. In fact, anyone can build a website or register an empty LLC in Alabama.

Defective Products and Services

Legitimate Alabama companies often create defective products and services. Some common issues are:

• Products that do not work as intended
• Products that have harmful design flaws
• Medications that do not mention all side effects
• Services that do not deliver on promises

Even when this is not intentional, consumers might become entitled to compensation for the damages caused. This circumstance is why we often hear of car manufacturers issuing recalls and repairs when they realize something has gone wrong.

Alabama law goes into intricate detail about what does and does not qualify for a product liability action. But, this complexity can be challenging to unravel for your circumstances. The general reasons why a court would accept your lawsuit include:

• The distributor of a product is also the manufacturer
• The company that made the product had substantial control over its creation
• Alterations or modifications happened to the merchandise
• There were independent acts of negligence, fraud, or warranty violations

Alabama Consumer Protection Laws and How Consumer Law Works

The Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 is arguably the most important consumer protection law in the United States. It establishes the Federal Trade Commission to protect consumers from deceptive business practices. It does this not just for individual cases, but also to target monopolies.

The FTC’s work includes conducting investigations, collecting complaints, and filing lawsuits. In addition, other federal laws protect public consumers against deceptive transactions. These include the agriculture, real estate, food, and beverage industries. Alabama consumer laws also put measures in place to police false advertising and illegal debt collection practices.

Work With an Experienced Alabama Consumer Law Attorney

Working with a consumer fraud attorney in Alabama can help you understand your rights. The appropriate professional from our network of legal experts will help you understand the FTC guidelines. They will help you discover what types of complaints you can make against the organization that has committed fraud against you.

A qualified Alabama consumer fraud attorney will also guide you through working with law enforcement. The goal is to bring the fraudulent business practices against other customers and yourself to light. Get help and file a claim against the entity that committed consumer fraud against you. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Alabama state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!