Consumer Law in Virginia

Do you need a consumer law attorney in Virginia 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 Virginia

Consumer fraud primarily refers to deceptive practices that can cause customers in Virginia to suffer financial, physical, or emotional injury. Fraudulent practices can also occur at the individual level, such as 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 Virginia can also lead to criminal charges against you. For instance, it can be strenuous to clear your name after you donate to a charitable organization involved with money laundering.

The Consumer Protection Section (CPS) of the Virginia Attorney General’s Office provides information on scams and other consumer issues. Scams come in all shapes and sizes, but there are some red flags to look for. For example, CPS warns about offers that seem too good to be true, such as unexpected inheritances or prizes. Another common warning sign is high-pressure tactics and unreasonable deadlines. Many scammers victimize the public in general, but some target specific groups. In fact, a recent scam involves tricking Virginia immigrants into paying for extra help when obtaining a driver’s license.

Many people are embarrassed about falling for a scam, and they suffer in silence. But, speaking up can help to bring the persons responsible to justice. Even when it does not, it helps spread awareness and stop other consumers from falling victim to the same fate.

What Types of Fraud are in Consumer Law?

If you suffered damages because of consumer fraud in Virginia, you might be able to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. Taking a closer look at the most common types of consumer fraud found under consumer law can help you determine if you have a legitimate claim.

Identity Theft

This type of consumer fraud happens when a nefarious Virginia 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 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. After they can accomplish this task, they have even more options to apply for loans or credit cards. Sometimes 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 and experienced Virginia consumer law fraud lawyer is essential to proving your innocence.

Fake Organizations

Fake charities are difficult to spot because they use similar techniques that legitimate ones rely on to raise funds. That’s why it’s important for you to understand where your money is going before you decide to donate to an organization. The same is true when investing or purchasing goods and services.

You can identify if any Virginia organization is legitimate if they have registration in the state. Or, the IRS should verify their non-profit status. But, scammers can legitimately register an organization for illegal purposes. Take the time to research how your money gets used before investing in a business or donating to charity.

Virginia’s Solicitation of Contributions law requires most charitable organizations to register with the state before asking for donations. The Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs administers this process and maintains a searchable database of charities. In addition to registering, charities cannot spend more than 40% of their revenue on administrative costs. In fact, a recent case dismantled 2 Virginia veteran’s charities that were misusing millions of donated dollars. Instead of helping veterans, up to 90% of their revenue was paying the salaries for their staff and CEO.

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 fact, anyone can build a website or register an empty LLC in Virginia.

Defective Products and Services

Legitimate Virginia companies often create defective products and services. Some common issues are:

• 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 become entitled to compensation for the damages caused. This circumstance is why we often hear of car manufacturers issuing recalls and repairs when they realize something has gone wrong.

Under Virginia common law rules, product liability claims can use one of two legal theories, negligence or breach of warranty. However, unlike many states, Virginia courts do not allow for strict liability in product liability actions. In addition, the Code of Virginia contains some statutory limitations. For example, your cause of action begins at the date of the injury, not its discovery. From this date, you have 2 years to file a negligence case, or 5 years to file a breach of warranty case.

Virginia 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 establishes the Federal Trade Commission to protect consumers from deceptive business practices. It does this not just for individual cases, but also to target monopolies.

The FTC’s work includes conducting investigations, collecting complaints, and filing lawsuits. In addition, other federal laws protect public consumers against deceptive transactions. These include the agriculture, real estate, food, and beverage industries. Virginia consumer laws also put measures in place to police false advertising and illegal debt collection practices.

Work With an Experienced Virginia Consumer Law Attorney

Working with a consumer fraud attorney in Virginia can help you understand your rights. The appropriate professional from our network of legal experts will help you understand the FTC guidelines. They will help you discover what types of complaints you can make against the organization that has committed fraud against you.

A qualified Virginia 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. 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 Virginia state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!