The auto industry and their dealers are rife with scams and fraud and the potential buyer needs to be armed with the knowledge of how these scams work and how to avoid them. There are many dealers that run reputable businesses and can get buyers into a vehicle without using fraudulent means, but there are always those individuals or companies that are looking for ways to take consumers for a ride. The state of California, San Diego and Los Angeles in southern California in particular, is home to many of these scam artists. Even smaller states like Oklahoma have their share of fraud cases and attorneys there are as busy as lawyers in the larger California market. If you are fortunate, you won’t be a victim of one of these disreputable dealers, but it is wise to be aware of potential scams before you head to the dealer. Here are some tips on dealing with auto fraud.

People with bad credit are often the victim of fraud at dealerships. They are easy prey, often due to the fact that they believe they cannot get financing. The worst offenses usually occur in the finance office, where the potential buyer often lets their guard down. One way to lessen the chance of being scammed is to show up with no trade and to have your financing done through your bank, with a bank draft in hand.

One of the most common frauds committed by car dealers and one that attorneys see frequently brought to them is the advertising fee scam. Dealers slip into the contract an advertising fee. Often times the advertising fee is on the factory invoice. Dealers add in a second advertising “fee” which becomes pure profit for them. The way to avoid it is to simply ask that it be taken off the contract. If the dealer tells you that the factory doesn’t charge them an advertising fee, have them show you the invoice. If there is no fee on the invoice, which is unlikely, it is okay for the dealer to charge between 1% and 3% of the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price or MSRP for an advertising fee. If it does not appear on the invoice, then the fee is completely negotiable. If it does appear on the invoice, then that is a case of dealer cost and is not negotiable.

If you feel you are the victim of auto fraud, the best way of dealing with it is to contact a lawyer and learn what your options and rights are. If you have a good case, a lawyer will have no problem presenting your grievance to the court.

About The Author

Rishi Chawla has a informative site on lemon law for owners of defective cars.

http://www.your-lemon-car.com/

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

Ever had a car stolen? Did you collapse, broken-hearted, on the floor when told that its burnt-out chassis had been found at the bottom of a dry creek bed and was now home to a family of very large rats? The stereo was gone, the seats were gone, the woofers, gone. And the fluffy dice - they even took the dice!

No more “DOOF-DOOF”, no more dice No more back seat paradise…

I know - you were much younger then….

The negative impact caused by car theft spares no one. Its effects are felt right across the community. For example, an increase in motor vehicle thefts means an increase in motor vehicle insurance claims and this ultimately leads to a rise in motor vehicle insurance premiums.

But it doesn’t stop there. Even those who don’t own a vehicle end up bearing the cost of motor vehicle thefts indirectly as taxi fares, bus fares, even school excursions become more expensive. And if you believe you’ve been excluded from these increased costs because you walk or cycle everywhere, think again.

Higher motor vehicle insurance premiums mean higher transport running costs, which lead to higher freight charges, and this translates to higher prices on the supermarket shelves.

And let’s not forget the individual. The poor motorist who has had his car stolen must now cop a reduction in his No Claim Bonus as well as pay a hefty excess. If he relies on his vehicle for work there is also the alarming prospect of a temporary loss of income.

So what can be done to combat these heinous crimes?

Many new cars these days have built-in anti-theft devices such as car alarms, engine demobilisers and wheel nut locks. Even so, there are several things car owners can do to prevent the their vehicles being stolen.

* If your car doesn’t come with an anti-theft device, buy one.

* When parking on the street at night, always choose a well-lit area.

* That anti-theft device that you bought…use it!

* Never leave items that may be tempting to a thief in plain sight. These may include department store shopping bags, mobile phones, wallets, gifts or other valuables. If such things absolutely must be left in the vehicle, hide them away in the glove box, boot or even under the seats.

* This may sound obvious but keys should never be left in the ignition. Many a car has been stolen from right under its owner’s nose simply because the key was left in it. Even if you’re just popping in to pay for the petrol you just pumped, take out the key. Theft of your vehicle will take less than ten seconds with the key already in the ignition.

* If you have a garage, put your car in it instead of the pool table. And, having done that, don’t forget to lock it.

* If you don’t have a garage, park in the driveway instead of the street. (If you don’t have either… have you considered a pushbike?)

* When leaving the vehicle unattended at home, take your car keys with you.

* If leaving the car with a mechanic for maintenance or repairs, only leave the ignition key with the car.

* Never leave spare keys in or on the vehicle.

* Don’t leave important papers such as registration, license or mail in the vehicle while unattended.

If, even after being as careful as possible, your vehicle is stolen, report the theft immediately to the police. They will take details of the vehicle, where it was parked and for how long, as well as information about any items that may have been inside it at the time.

You will then need to make a claim through your insurance company -assuming you have comprehensive motor vehicle insurance, of course - as soon as possible. These days many insurance companies allow you to report the claim online as well as in person or over the phone. The important thing is to do so promptly, giving as much detail as is available so as to help streamline the process.

Once the claim is reported, a claims officer will most likely contact you within a day or two to confirm the information. If accepted, it may then take up to a further six weeks to pay the claim if the vehicle is not recovered. If it is found within that time, the vehicle will be assessed as to whether it can be repaired and, if so, at what cost. If the repair costs would be more than the vehicle is worth, it will be deemed a total loss and the claim paid for the insured value less any excess.

Any way you look at it, motor vehicle theft is a crime that causes loss and anxiety in several different ways. The best we can do is take as many steps as we can to prevent it and support car manufacturers that provide security devices in their cars.

As for the car thieves…placing them in stocks and throwing rotten tomatoes at them springs to mind…

About the author:

QuoteSphere was developed to help those that are in the middle of an insurance crisis. In the United States we have seen a continuing rise in the cost of home insurance. car insurance

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

In the automotive world, a new or used vehicle that has been purchased under warranty, which keeps breaking down with the same fault and is never actually repaired, is said to be a lemon. There are laws in every state in the US that protect the consumer from the hands of dodgy vehicle manufacturers - namely, the Lemon Law.

It is stressful enough that your car break down in the first place, especially if it is brand new and hasn’t even been put through its paces yet; but if it is under warranty and the dealer refuses to fix it, go see a lemon law lawyer as you may be entitled to a new car, a replacement, or your money back.

It’s not just cars that are protected under the lemon law; many different types of vehicle are covered depending on the state you are in. For instance, a lot of states also cover trucks, minivans, SUVs, RVs, campers, boats, motorcycles, and even jet-skis. It doesn’t take much research to see if your particular vehicle is covered either; simply check the Federal Warranty Act in your state.

Lemon Law Claims

Manufacturers who know they have been selling rubbish vehicles or potential death traps have been known to drag their feet when someone complains about their new vehicle falling to bits for fear of massive recalls. There is also a flip side to that coin; other manufacturers may settle fairly quickly as to avoid unwanted bad publicity caused by your lemon.

One thing you should never do if you have a suspected lemon, is be tempted in taking the car elsewhere to be repaired thinking that someone else may do a better job. If a lemon is suspected, the manufacturer will want to examine your car before making any decisions and you may even void your warranty by going elsewhere.

So, in short, if your new or used vehicle was bought with a warranty and it keeps breaking down on you, or has had a serious defect with the braking system, then speak to an attorney about the possibility of invoking a lemon law lawsuit. Don’t feel you are being a pain by continually coming back with your fault; keep at it and don’t give in.

About the author:

David R is senior editor of the site http://www.dunfermline-car-club.co.uk, a comprehensive website which includes a break down of the US Lemon Law, with overviews of every state lemon law, driving tips for the USA, and insurance information and advice.

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair