Consumer Law in Little Rock, AR
Do you need a consumer law attorney in Little Rock, Arkansas 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 Little Rock, Arkansas
Consumer fraud primarily refers to deceptive practices that can cause customers in Little Rock 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 Little Rock, AR 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.
The Consumer Protection Division of the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office provides information on common scams affecting Little Rock residents. Some of these involve offers of job opportunities, such as a mystery shopper scam. The scammer promises that you can make a high income, but they want you to send money for a list of jobs or a certification first. However, legitimate mystery shopping jobs do not require any upfront payment. Other scammers might try to scare you into sending money by inventing a debt or back taxes.
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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock, AR 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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock, AR 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.
Most charitable organizations must register with the Arkansas Secretary of State before soliciting donations in Little Rock. However, there are some exceptions, such as for religious, educational, and political organizations. Before you donate, it can be helpful to search the state’s Charity Database or check a resource such as the Better Business Bureau. Recently, the Arkansas Attorney General warned Little Rock residents about scammers saying they were collecting for a veteran’s charity. However, the scammers were pocketing the money, rather than using it to support veterans. Fortunately, taking the time to do some research can help you avoid this kind of scam.
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 Little Rock, Arkansas.
Defective Products and Services
Legitimate Little Rock, AR 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.
Little Rock product liability cases fall under the provisions of the Arkansas Product Liability Act of 1979. Under these statutes, plaintiffs can claim design defects, manufacturing defects, and marketing or labeling defects. The plaintiff must show that the defect made the product unreasonably dangerous. In addition, the plaintiff must file their case within the Act’s 3 year statute of limitations. Unlike some states, Arkansas does not have a statute of repose that limits the time of the suit relative to the date the product was first sold. However, Arkansas law only holds the manufacturer to the standards of scientific and technical knowledge available at the time of sale.
Little Rock, Arkansas 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. Little Rock, Arkansas consumer laws also put measures in place to police false advertising and illegal debt collection practices.
Work With an Experienced Little Rock, Arkansas Consumer Law Attorney
Working with a consumer fraud attorney in Little Rock 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 Little Rock, AR 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 Arkansas 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!
