Consumer Law in San Jose, CA

Do you need a consumer law attorney in San Jose, California 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 San Jose, California

Consumer fraud primarily refers to deceptive practices that can cause customers in San Jose 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 San Jose, CA 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 San Jose Police Department (SJPD) provides a list of common scams plaguing San Jose residents. Some of these schemes include the pigeon scam, the Canadian lottery scam, the home repair scam, psychic fraud, and the lost pet scam. For example, the lost pet scam involves a victim placing an ad in a paper about a lost pet. The scammer calls pretending to be a long-haul truck driver who has found the pet. However, the victim must wire them a reward before they will return your pet. San Jose residents who have experienced scams can file online reports with the SJPD.

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 San Jose 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 San Jose, CA 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 San Jose 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 San Jose, CA 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.

Charity fraud perpetrators in California can involve individuals as well as large charitable organizations. For example, The Fresno Bee recently reported a 36-year-old woman living in San Jose faked cancer by shaving her head. She pleaded guilty to wire fraud, having swindled more than $106,000 in donations intended to cover her nonexistent medical costs. The fraudster faces up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. In addition, she may have to pay restitution to her victims.

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 San Jose, California.

Defective Products and Services

Legitimate San Jose, CA 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.

California’s statute of limitations for product liability is two years. Consequently, San Jose residents can file an action up to two years after the date of personal injury. The deadline increases to three years if the injury is done to property. However, California Code dictates that a San Jose manufacturer or seller is not liable in a product liability action if both of the following apply:

  • The product is inherently unsafe and is known to be unsafe by the ordinary consumer
  • The product is a common consumer product intended for personal consumption

San Jose, California 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. San Jose, California consumer laws also put measures in place to police false advertising and illegal debt collection practices.

Work With an Experienced San Jose, California Consumer Law Attorney

Working with a consumer fraud attorney in San Jose 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 San Jose, CA 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 California state lines.

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