Consumer Fraud

For many of us, buying products occurs on a daily basis. From credit reporting agencies to banks and insurance companies, there are numerous opportunities for consumers to fall victim to the fraud of large businesses. All too often, a consumer is not aware that he or she has become the victim of a fraud scheme until it is too late. Fortunately, South Carolina has enacted a number of consumer fraud protection laws to help consumers hold these companies responsible for treating customers unfairly. Assisting consumers in the Spartanburg and Greenville areas, class action lawyer Patrick E. Knie knows how devastating it can be to fall victim to a company’s deceitful and misleading practices.

There are many ways that consumers can find themselves in a company’s fraudulent trap. Common examples include a car dealer selling vehicles at inflated prices so that the car is worth much less than the amount borrowed on the car, or a bank failing to adequately disclose the terms of a lending agreement.

In other instances, a consumer credit reporting company may fail to accurately report a consumer’s credit information, including credit card statements, car loans, and mortgages resulting. Another common example of consumer fraud is debt collection abuse, which occurs when a debt collection company continues to harass you about your outstanding balance. It is no surprise that this type of fraudulent activity can be extremely damaging to the victim.

There are a number of federal and state laws that help consumers seek the compensation they deserve after being victimized by a company. The Fair Credit Reporting Act, for example, provides consumers with the right to bring a lawsuit against a credit reporting agency and to recover monetary damages for any inaccurate reporting activities. When it comes to bank fraud, the Home Ownership Equity Protection Act and the Truth in Lending Act offer tools to hold banks accountable for taking advantage of consumers and also authorize the recovery of compensation.

South Carolina’s consumer protection code provides similar protections. When it comes to home loans, the South Carolina High Cost and Consumer Home Loans Act creates rights and remedies for residents who have been subjected to unfair banking practices. The state also maintains a Consumer Complaints division through which consumers can bring a complaint in the event that they have been the victims of consumer fraud.

In today’s world, knowing whether you can trust the companies that handle your most sensitive financial transactions can be difficult and sometimes even impossible. If you believe that you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you may be entitled to compensation. Injury attorney Patrick E. Knie has represented many individuals in Spartanburg and Greenville as well as communities throughout Cherokee, Greenville, Union, and Laurens Counties. In a consumer protection case, many plaintiffs feel overwhelmed going up against a large company. We stand by our clients at every step of the process and help them ensure that their rights are asserted to the fullest extent. Call us now at (864) 582-5118 or contact us online to set up your free consultation.