Consumer Law in Wilmington, NC

Do you need a consumer law attorney in Wilmington, North Carolina 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 Wilmington, North Carolina

Consumer fraud primarily refers to deceptive practices that can cause customers in Wilmington 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 Wilmington, NC 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 North Carolina Attorney General’s Office protects Wilmington residents from consumer fraud. One of the newer scams targets people who own and trade cryptocurrency. The scammer calls and says that there is a security issue with your account. They want you to reset your password using a bot that will give them access to your account. Once they have access, they can steal your money. Other scammers have a broader victim base, and may say they are with a debt collection agency or even the IRS. They try to scare you with threats of credit ruin or even arrest if you don’t send them money immediately.

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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington, NC 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington, NC 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.

Many charities must register with the North Carolina Secretary of State before they can solicit donations in Wilmington. Therefore, it’s a good idea to check out a charity’s registration status before donating. In addition, you should make sure that the solicitor is actually representing the charity they claim to. In fact, WECT6 News reports that scammers stole money by claiming to be collecting donations for the Wilmington Fire Department. One way to guard against this tactic is to hang up and call the organization directly. They will be able to tell you if they are currently soliciting donations.

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 Wilmington, North Carolina.

Defective Products and Services

Legitimate Wilmington, NC 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.

North Carolina statutes govern product liability cases in Wilmington. Unlike most states, North Carolina does not recognize strict liability in these lawsuits. Instead, a Wilmington plaintiff must show that the defendant was negligent in the design, manufacturing, or labeling of the product. In addition, plaintiffs must file their case within North Carolina’s 3 year statute of limitations. Furthermore, a Wilmington court will only hear a product liability case within 12 years of the purchase date of the product.

Wilmington, North Carolina 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. Wilmington, North Carolina consumer laws also put measures in place to police false advertising and illegal debt collection practices.

Work With an Experienced Wilmington, North Carolina Consumer Law Attorney

Working with a consumer fraud attorney in Wilmington 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 Wilmington, NC 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 North Carolina state lines.

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