By: Robert J. Nahoum For decades, many car buyers have walked into dealerships at a disadvantage. Dealers and their finance departments often have superior information, sophisticated sales systems, and a powerful incentive to close a deal—even when the financing, add-ons, or representations are not in the consumer’s best interest. But a recent report highlights an unusual reversal: organized fraud rings […]
When Auto Dealers Get Ripped Off: Fraudsters Flip the Script With “Bust-Out” Schemes
What the FTC’s New Auto Dealer Pricing Transparency Guidance Means for You
By: Robert J. Nahoum Have you ever found a vehicle advertised online for $25,000, only to sit down at the dealership and watch the final figure balloon to $29,000 after mandatory “doc fees,” prep costs, and unwanted dealer add-ons? If so, you are not alone. Deceptive “bait-and-switch” pricing is one of the most common ways consumers get taken advantage of […]
Credit Acceptance $710M Settlement: What Auto Loan Borrowers Need to Know
By: Robert J. Nahoum If you purchased a used car and faced unaffordable monthly payments, hidden fees, or aggressive debt collection after defaulting, you are not alone. In September 2026, Credit Acceptance Corporation (CAC), one of the nation’s largest subprime auto lenders, agreed to a $710 million settlement with a coalition of 40 state Attorneys General and Washington, D.C.. The […]
How Car Dealerships Make Money: The F&I Room Secrets
How Car Dealerships Really Make Money (And How Consumers Can Protect Themselves) BY: Robert J. Nahoum When most consumers walk onto an auto dealership lot, they assume the dealer makes the bulk of its profit by selling cars above wholesale cost. In reality, modern dealerships often treat the sale of the vehicle itself as a loss leader or break-even transaction. […]
Forged Signatures on Car Contracts: NJ Auto Dealer Fraud Explained
By: Robert J. Nahoum Buying a car should be an exciting milestone, not a financial trap. Yet, one of the most egregious and deceptive tactics used by dishonest car dealerships in New Jersey is forging signatures on sales and financing documents. When consumers sit down in the Finance & Insurance (F&I) office, they expect transparency. Instead, corrupt dealership staff sometimes […]
New Jersey Auto Dealer Bait-and-Switch: How Dealers Break the Law and How You Can Fight Back
By: Robert J. Nahoum Buying a car should be straightforward: you see an advertised price, you go to the dealership, and you buy the car at that price. But too often, New Jersey consumers are lured in by a low advertised price,—only to be told the car is “just sold,” or that the price requires a large down payment, trade-in, […]
How the Truth in Lending Act Protects New Jersey Car Buyers from Auto Fraud
By: Robert J. Nahoum Buying a vehicle is often one of the largest financial commitments a consumer makes. When you step onto a New Jersey dealership lot, you expect a fair deal and transparent terms. Unfortunately, deceptive sales tactics and hidden auto financing schemes remain widespread across the state. When crooked car dealerships manipulate financing terms, pad contracts, or mislead […]