Consumer Law in Charleston, SC

Do you need a consumer law attorney in Charleston, South Carolina 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 Charleston, South Carolina

Consumer fraud primarily refers to deceptive practices that can cause customers in Charleston 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 Charleston, SC 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 South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, scammers are constantly changing their schemes, combining sophisticated technology with age-old tricks. The top reported scams in South Carolina include imposter scams, sweepstakes scams, and debt collection scams. Imposter scams involve someone posing as an organization or person you are familiar with, such as the IRS, to gain your trust. Debt collection scammers will use scare tactics to get you to pay a debt immediately. Keep in mind, scammers follow headlines so their scams can appear very topical.

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 Charleston you might be able to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. Learning about the most common types of consumer fraud found under law is the best place to start.

Identity Theft

This type of consumer fraud happens when a nefarious Charleston, SC 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 this “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. Once they can accomplish this task, they have even more options to apply for loans or credit cards.

Some 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 Charleston consumer law fraud lawyer is essential to proving your innocence.

Fake Organizations

Fake charities are difficult to spot. Often, they use the same techniques legitimate ones rely on to raise funds. That’s why it’s important for you 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 Charleston, SC 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.

Under South Carolina law, a Charleston charitable organization must register with the South Carolina Secretary of State before soliciting contributions. However, the charity cannot use this registration to imply an endorsement or approval by the State. Additionally, a person cannot misrepresent or mislead, knowingly and willfully, in connection with the solicitation of charitable contributions. Charleston residents can report suspected charity fraud through the South Carolina Secretary of State’s online charitable solicitation complaint form.

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 Charleston, South Carolina.

Defective Products and Services

Legitimate Charleston, SC 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 South Carolina Code, anyone who sells any product in a defective condition, unreasonably dangerous to the user, may be subject to liability for the resulting physical harm or property damage. This liability applies if the seller is engaged in the business of selling such a product, and the product reaches the consumer in the condition in which it is sold. However, if the consumer uses the product after becoming aware of the defect and the danger, they are barred from recovery.

Charleston, South Carolina 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. Charleston, South Carolina consumer laws also put measures in place to police false advertising and illegal debt collection practices.

Work With an Experienced Charleston, South Carolina Consumer Law Attorney

Working with a consumer fraud attorney in Charleston 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 Charleston, SC 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.

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 South Carolina 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!