Consumer Law in Cedar Rapids, IA
Do you need a consumer law attorney in Cedar Rapids, Iowa 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 Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Consumer fraud primarily refers to deceptive practices that can cause customers in Cedar Rapids to suffer financial, physical, or emotional injury. Fraudulent practices may also occur at the individual level. For instance, 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 Cedar Rapids, IA can also lead to criminal charges against you. As an example, it can be strenuous to clear your name after you donate to a charitable organization involved with money laundering.
According to the Iowa Attorney General, there are a variety of phone scams victimizing Iowa residents. These schemes include caller ID spoofing, grandparent scams, IRS phone scams, tech support scams, and utility phone scams. For example, the utility scam involves callers who claim they represent your Cedar Rapids power company. They threaten to shut off your electricity unless you make an immediate electronic payment. They usually insist you use reloadable debit cards to pay them.
Many people are embarrassed about falling for a scam, so they suffer in silence. But, speaking up can help to bring the persons responsible to justice. Even when it does not, it helps to spread awareness and stop other consumers from falling victim.
What Types of Fraud are In Consumer Law?
If you suffered damages because of consumer fraud in Cedar Rapids you might be able to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. Learning about the most common types of consumer fraud found under the law is the best place to start.
Identity Theft
This type of consumer fraud occurs when a fraudulent , company or individual steals your personal information. They may steal critical details such as your bank account number, Social Security number, full name, or credit card information. One of the most common tactics used in identity theft is “data mining.”
Once criminals gain access to your personal information, they can open new credit cards in your name or make unauthorized charges on existing accounts. Some thieves may even establish utility accounts under your name to prove residency. This step allows them further opportunities to apply for loans or credit cards, increasing the scope of the fraud.
In some cases, identity thieves access your bank account and empty your funds. Additionally, scams can occur when thieves tap into your health insurance and charge medical services to your policy. Proving that you are a victim of identity theft can be an extremely complicated process. Because of this, it’s crucial to seek the help of an experienced consumer law fraud attorney to help prove your case.
Fake Organizations
Fake charities are difficult to spot. Often, they use the same techniques legitimate ones rely on to raise funds. That’s why you need to understand where your money is going before you donate to an organization. The same is true when investing or purchasing goods and services.
You can identify if any Cedar Rapids, IA organization is legitimate if they have registration in the state. Or, the IRS should verify their non-profit status. But, scammers can legitimately register organizations for illegal purposes. Always take the time to research how your money gets used before investing in a business or donating to charity.
According to the Iowa Attorney General (IAG), professional commercial fundraisers must register with the IAG. A professional commercial fundraiser is any person, who for compensation, solicits contributions in Iowa for a charitable organization other than the person.
In addition, a nonprofit organization conducting charitable gambling activities must obtain a charitable gambling license from Iowa’s Department of Inspections & Appeals (DIA). The DIA must receive the license application at least 30 days before the intended event.
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 addition to this, anyone can build a website or register an empty LLC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Defective Products and Services
Legitimate Cedar Rapids, IA companies often create defective products and services. For example:
- 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 be entitled to compensation for damages. This circumstance is why car manufacturers issue recalls and repairs when they realize something has gone wrong.
Under Iowa Code, non-manufacturers in Cedar Rapids may be immune from product liability actions. A non-manufacturer is a person who wholesales, retails, or distributes a product but does not design, assemble, or manufacture it. Specifically, they are immune from any suit based upon strict liability in tort or breach of implied warranty of merchantability. This may hold if the suit arises solely from a defect in the original design or manufacture of the product.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 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 established the Federal Trade Commission to protect consumers from deceptive business practices. It does this for individual cases and to target monopolies.
Some of the FTC’s work includes conducting investigations, collecting complaints, and filing lawsuits. Additionally, other federal laws protect public consumers against deceptive transactions. These include the agriculture, real estate, food, and beverage industries. Cedar Rapids, Iowa consumer laws also put measures in place to police false advertising and illegal debt collection practices.
Work With an Experienced Cedar Rapids, Iowa Consumer Law Attorney
Working with a consumer fraud attorney in Cedar Rapids can help you understand your rights. The appropriate professional from our network of legal experts will help you understand the FTC guidelines. You’ll discover what types of complaints you can make against the organization that has committed fraud against you. A qualified Cedar Rapids, IA consumer fraud attorney will also guide you through working with law enforcement. The goal is to bring fraudulent business practices against other customers and yourself to light.
Are you looking to hire an experienced consumer law lawyer near you? 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 Iowa state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
There are plenty of other chapters of Cedar Rapids law that could apply to your situation!
