Consumer Law in Las Vegas, NV
Do you need a consumer law attorney in Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas, Nevada
Consumer fraud primarily refers to deceptive practices that can cause customers in Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas, NV can also lead to criminal charges against you. For example, it can be strenuous to clear your name after donating to a charitable organization involved with money laundering.
According to the Nevada Bureau of Consumer Protection, residents of Las Vegas should be aware of the variety of means scammers use to defraud people. Covid-19 Scams have become increasingly popular since 2020. These scams generally involve sending a resident a fake stimulus check to cash, or going door to door selling fake “at-home testing kits”. In addition, Debt Collection Scams, IRS Scams, and Romance Scams target city residents.
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 Las Vegas 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 happens when a nefarious Las Vegas, NV 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 Las Vegas consumer law fraud lawyer is essential to proving your innocence.
Fake Organizations
Identifying fake charities can be difficult, as they often use similar fundraising methods to legitimate organizations. Before donating to a charity, making an investment, or purchasing goods and services, it’s crucial to research where your money will go.
In , , a legitimate charity should be registered with the state or verified by the IRS as a nonprofit. However, some scammers may create legally registered organizations with fraudulent intentions. Always take the time to research how your money will be used before committing to any business, investment, or donation.
Charities that solicit donations in Las Vegas by law have to register with the Nevada Secretary of State. Still, Las Vegas residents should be aware of red flags when dealing with fraudulent charities. These red flags can include only accepting cash donations, or failing to provide tax-exempt proof for your donation. The Center for Public Integrity reports that a class action suit was recently filed against a Political PAC for using a fraudulent telemarketing scheme.
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 Las Vegas, Nevada.
Defective Products and Services
Legitimate Las Vegas, NV 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.
Nevada Product Liability Statutes affirm that a manufacturer in Las Vegas cannot be held liable for injury or damages caused by a defective product if that product has been substantially altered or misused by the claimant. In addition, the Nevada State Legislature has set a strict 2 years statute of limitations for residents of Las Vegas to file their product liability claims. An experienced attorney in Las Vegas could prove beneficial when helping you file your claim.
Las Vegas, Nevada 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. Las Vegas, Nevada consumer laws also put measures in place to police false advertising and illegal debt collection practices.
Work With an Experienced Consumer Law Attorney in Las Vegas
Working with a consumer fraud attorney in Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas, NV 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 Nevada state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced consumer law attorney in Las Vegas!
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.
Are you curious to learn about other areas of Las Vegas law? We have articles on many legal topics in the state.