Consumer Law in Charlotte, NC

Do you need a consumer law attorney in Charlotte, North 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 Charlotte, North Carolina

Consumer fraud primarily refers to deceptive practices that can cause customers in Charlotte 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 Charlotte, NC 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 Charlotte Police & Public Safety, there are a variety of scams targeted at Charlotte residents. These scams include credit-related schemes, magazine sales scams, and sweepstakes scams. In addition, the vacation scam involves a consumer accepting an offer for a free travel package. The consumer ends up paying hidden costs, such as reservation fees or listening to a high-pressure sales pitch for a club membership.

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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte, NC 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte, NC 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 WBTV, the North Carolina Attorney General (AG) ran a Charity Fraud Awareness Week in October 2021. The AG received more than fifty complaints about charity scams in the state in 2021, worth almost $50,000. In fact, the AG reports that the last three months of any year generally see an increase in fraudulent activities. The two main complaints involve totally fake charities, and legitimate charities whose paid telemarketers take 90% of the donation for themselves. The AG recommends looking up a charity’s tax return on the website GuideStar before giving.

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 Charlotte, North Carolina.

Defective Products and Services

Legitimate Charlotte, NC 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.

North Carolina law applies a negligence standard to product liability cases. This means an injured party in Charlotte must prove at least one of the following allegations:

• That the manufacturer did not provide proper instructions for the product’s use

• The manufacturer designed or constructed the product in an unreasonable manner, creating a risk of harm

• The manufacturer failed to adequately warn consumers of product dangers

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

Work With an Experienced Charlotte, North Carolina Consumer Law Attorney

Working with a consumer fraud attorney in Charlotte 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 Charlotte, NC 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 North 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!