Consumer Law in Tacoma, WA

Do you need a consumer law attorney in Tacoma, Washington 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 Tacoma, Washington

Consumer fraud primarily refers to deceptive practices that can cause customers in Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA 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.

AARP reports they have joined forces with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office to launch the Tip-offs to Rip-offs campaign. Part of the campaign involves providing alerts of the latest scams calls in the Tacoma/Seattle/Bellevue area. The top five robocall scams currently include:

• Amazon Purchase Alert
• Real Estate/Home Buyer
• Back Blue Lives PAC Charity Fundraiser
• Publishers Clearing House Winner
• Balance Due Phishing Robocall

Tacoma residents can report scam activity to the Washington State Office of the Attorney General.

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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA 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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA 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.

Washington State’s Charitable Solicitations Act requires most charities and commercial fundraisers to register with the state before soliciting funds. In addition, a charity cannot mislead donors by using a name, symbol, statement, or emblem deceptively similar to another organization. Furthermore, the charity cannot claim endorsement by another party without written consent. Violations of the CSA can be charged as a gross misdemeanor. In fact the perpetrator can face up to one year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.

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 Tacoma, Washington.

Defective Products and Services

Legitimate Tacoma, WA 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.

Washington State’s Product Liability Act governs product liability actions in Tacoma and across the state. For example, a product manufacturer is subject to liability if the claimant’s harm was approximately caused by the negligence of the manufacturer. Specifically, the product must not have been reasonably safe as designed, or not reasonably safe due to lack of adequate instructions or warnings. Keep in mind, if you live in Tacoma, you have only three years from the date of injury to file a product liability lawsuit.

Tacoma, Washington 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. Tacoma, Washington consumer laws also put measures in place to police false advertising and illegal debt collection practices.

Work With an Experienced Tacoma, Washington Consumer Law Attorney

Working with a consumer fraud attorney in Tacoma 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 Tacoma, WA consumer fraud attorney will also guide you through working with law enforcement. The goal is to bring 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 Washington 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!