how to get a consumer attorney

by Haylee Walker I 9 min read

Call the Consumer Protection Division Hotline at (410) 528-8662 Mon.-Fri. 9am - 3pm You also can send us a letter describing your complaint, along with copies of relevant documentation to: Consumer Protection Division, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Ideas on how to find an attorney:
  1. You can contact a lawyer referral service in your area by reaching out to your state or local bar association.
  2. You may qualify for free legal services through legal aid. ...
  3. You can ask people you know to suggest attorneys they have worked with in the past.
Aug 28, 2017

Full Answer

Do I need a consumer protection lawyer?

A lawyer who has experience with fraud can help you through a wide range of cases, from unintentionally filing a false tax return to someone stealing your credit card. Why hire a Consumer protection attorney. Consumer protection laws are designed to ensure consumers are treated fairly by businesses and protected against fraud and scams.

What does a state attorney general consumer lawyer do?

Sep 30, 2021 · Your consumer protection agency. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Your state attorney general. Econsumer.gov, if your purchase was with a foreign retailer. If you made the purchase using your credit card, dispute the charge with your credit card company.

Why do I need a lawyer for a fraud claim?

Consumer Protection Offices. City, county, regional, and state consumer offices offer a variety of important services. They might mediate complaints, conduct investigations, prosecute offenders of consumer laws, license and regulate professional service providers, provide educational materials and advocate for consumer rights.

What is consumer law?

A consumer protection lawyer will work to protect your rights and recover your damages. Need an attorney in St. Petersburg, FL? Find the right attorney by reviewing and comparing our profiles of lawyers and their law firms, with details on each attorney and their colleague’s practice, experience, education, training, honors and fee structure.

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What is covered under consumer law?

It aims to protect consumers against poor-quality products and unfair business practices or contract terms with regards to transactions, repairs, refunds and delivery. ... Consumers can claim compensation if the product is defective and caused personal injury or damage to property.Nov 8, 2021

Who do you report unfair business practices to?

File a complaint with your local consumer protection office or the state agency that regulates the company. Notify the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in your area about your problem. The BBB tries to resolve your complaints against companies.Sep 30, 2021

Which are the consumer rights?

Consumer Rights and ResponsibilitiesRight to safety.Right to choose.Right to be informed.Right to consumer education.Right to be heard.Right to Seek redressal.Consumer Protection Act.

How are consumers protected?

The Consumer Protection Act seeks right to: protect against the marketing of goods which are hazardous to life and property; inform about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices; ... consumer education.

What are some examples of consumer complaints?

Customer ComplaintsLong Wait on Hold. ... Unavailable or Out of Stock Product. ... Repeating the Customer's Problem. ... Uninterested Service Rep. ... Poor Product or Service. ... No First Call Resolution. ... Lack of Follow Up. ... New Product or Feature Request.Aug 13, 2020

What can you do if a company rips you off?

To file a complaint, just go to ftc.gov/complaint, and answer the questions. Or call That's all there is to it. If you've been ripped off or scammed, complain to the Federal Trade Commission. It can help put the bad guys out of business.

What are the 5 major consumer rights?

Consumers are protected by the Consumer Bill of Rights. The bill states that consumers have the right to be informed, the right to choose, the right to safety, the right to be heard, the right to have problems corrected, the right to consumer education, and the right to service.

What is the 8 basic rights of a consumer?

The eight consumer rights are: Right to basic needs, Right to safety, Right to information, Right to choose, Right to representation, Right to redress, Right to consumer education, and Right to healthy environment.

What are the 5 consumer protection laws?

In the United States a variety of laws at both the federal and state levels regulate consumer affairs. Among them are the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Truth in Lending Act, Fair Credit Billing Act, and the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act.

How will you apply your rights as a consumer?

As consumers, we have eight (8) basic rights and five (8) responsibilities. These are the rights to basic needs; safety; information; choice; redress; representation; redress; consumer education, and a healthy environment. ... Consumers have the right to choose the products that they need.Mar 18, 2021

What are reasons for consumer protection?

Reasons for consumers' protection are: (i) Exploitation: The consumers are protected from exploitation by the manufacturers through the indiscriminate price increase. This is done through the Price control Act. (ii) Sub-standard goods: Manufacturers produce goods without taking into consideration the quality desired.

Who is not a consumer in law?

1-2-1c ANY PERSON WHO OBTAINS THE GOODS FOR 'RESALE' OR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES' IS NOT A CONSUMER - The term 'for resale' implies that the goods are brought for the purpose of selling them, and the expression 'for commercial purpose' is intended to cover cases other than those of resale of goods.

What is consumer protection law?

Consumer protection laws are designed to ensure consumers are treated fairly by businesses and protected against fraud and scams. If someone uses your credit card without your knowledge or consent, that is credit card fraud. If someone sells you stock by misrepresenting its value, that is investment fraud.

What to do if you have been accused of fraud?

If you believe you have been the target of fraud or if you have been accused of fraud, a fraud attorney can clear your name and return you to good standing. A lawyer who has experience with fraud can help you through a wide range of cases, from unintentionally filing a false tax return to someone stealing your credit card.

Why do lawyers like consumer law?

Other lawyers enjoy consumer law because they enjoy helping individuals. Individuals throughout the United States need help with consumer law.

Why do corporations need lawyers?

Corporations and consumers alike need lawyers to help them with consumer law. Consumers need protection from unfair practices. Corporations need to be able to do business, and they need to be able to implement laws as they change.

What is the group of laws that protect the public at large from unfair and predatory business practices?

Consumer law is the group of laws that protect the public at large from unfair and predatory business practices. Consumer laws protect the public from unscrupulous ways of doing business. The area of law requires compliance from the corporations that consumer laws regulate.

What does a non profit consumer rights group do?

With a non-profit consumer rights group, you might represent individuals on specific cases. You may also work on legislative efforts to change laws in ways that are consistent with your group’s mission. Large law firms – Corporations that must comply with consumer laws are often large banks and credit institutions.

What do lawyers do?

Lawyers may work on implementing laws, or they may work to handle complaints and formal litigation. They may also lobby lawmakers in order to change laws in ways that are advantageous to their clients. Government agencies – Many consumer lawyers work for the government.

What is a state attorney general?

A state attorney general is a consumer lawyer. They investigate consumer complaints and take actions that they believe are necessary to protect the public. Many government consumer lawyers are long-term employees, but some are also elected to their positions.

What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act – This 1977 legislation restricts the actions of debt collectors. A company trying to collect a debt can’t call in the middle of the night.

How to file a complaint against a manufacturer?

Start your complaint with the seller or manufacturer. If they don't help, seek help from your local government or a consumer organization. Use these steps to get started. Open All +. 1. Collect Your Documents. Gather your records: sales receipts, warranties, contracts, or work orders.

What to do if seller doesn't resolve issue?

If the seller doesn't resolve the issue, a government office or a consumer organization may be able to help: File a complaint with your local consumer protection office or the state agency that regulates the company. Notify the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in your area about your problem.

What to do if your credit card doesn't work?

Your state attorney general. Econsumer.gov, if your purchase was with a foreign retailer. If you made the purchase using your credit card, dispute the charge with your credit card company.

What does the BBB do?

The BBB tries to resolve your complaints against companies. Some federal agencies accept complaints about companies, but may not resolve your problem. They use complaints to help them investigate fraud. Contact econsumer.gov. if you are complaining about items you bought online, from a seller outside the U.S.

What is a utility commission?

Utility Commissions. State Utility Commissions regulate services and rates for gas, electricity and telephones within your state. In some states, the utility commissions regulate other services such as water, transportation, and the moving of household goods. Many utility commissions handle consumer complaints.

Does each state have its own insurance laws?

Each state has its own laws and regulations for each type of insurance. The officials listed in this section enforce these laws. Many of these offices can also provide you with information to help you make informed insurance buying decisions.

Are you a victim of fraud?

If a business or individual has treated you illegally or fraudulently and if you have been monetarily damaged by that treatment you need to consult a consumer protection attorney. Federal, state and local laws, such as the Consumer Protection Act, protect against civil or consumer fraud.

Need an attorney in St. Petersburg, FL?

Find the right attorney by reviewing and comparing our profiles of lawyers and their law firms, with details on each attorney and their colleague’s practice, experience, education, training, honors and fee structure. Carefully consider client reviews and recommendations from people just like you.

Work That Matters. By People That Care

Simply stated, Florida Consumer Lawyers helps people stressed out by real world problems. In our experience, financial problems lead to a sharp decline in physical and mental well-being. Things get worse when people ignore their problems or try to handle those problems by themselves. Our mission is to help you take your life back.

At Florida Consumer Lawyers we know how the financial system really works for consumers

Insurance companies, banks, debt collectors, creditors, credit reporting agencies, and mortgage lenders design their business practices around ripping off consumers every single day. In turn, our firm makes it our mission to fight back.

FLORIDA CONSUMER LAWYERS

Our law firm only represents consumers and we have built our entire practice around that fact.

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What Does Consumer Law Regulate?

  • The practice of consumer law concerns itself with protecting individuals from unfair trade, inaccurate information and unethical ways of doing business. Say the phrase consumer law and most people probably think of banks and fair debt collection practices. However, consumer laws regulate a wide variety of industries. Some of the major pieces of federal consumer protection le…
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Products Liability Claims

  • In addition to the laws that direct corporate behavior, there are also legal actions that exist in statutory and common law. When an individual brings a claim against a corporation because of a defective product, it’s called a products liability claim. An individual who suffers an injury and other losses because of a defective product can bring a claim for compensation. They may ask f…
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Who Practices Consumer Law?

  • Lawyers who practice consumer law work in a wide variety of practices and settings: Advocacy groups– As a consumer lawyer, you might work on behalf of a public interest organization that fights for consumer rights. With a non-profit consumer rights group, you might represent individuals on specific cases. You may also work on legislative efforts to change laws in ways th…
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Why Become A Consumer Lawyer?

  • Whatever your goals and motivation, you may be able to find a satisfying practice in consumer law. Consumer laws change quickly. Consumers and businesses alike rely on attorneys to stay up to date on these changes. Many lawyers find ongoing and stable employment with large financial institutions for their entire career. Positions with government agencies are also often stable and …
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Striking The Balance

  • Corporations and consumers alike need lawyers to help them with consumer law. Consumers need protection from unfair practices. Corporations need to be able to do business, and they need to be able to implement laws as they change. By representing their clients, lawyers work to arrive at the right balance between protecting consumers and allowing corporations to function freely …
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