By: Robert J. Nahoum Short Answer A private judgment creditor with a New York judgment cannot intercept your federal or New York State tax refund directly, but once that refund is deposited into your bank account it can generally be restrained and levied like other non‑exempt funds, subject to New York’s exemption rules and special protections for certain government‑related “emergency […]
Can a judgment creditor garnish my tax refund in New York?
What Is a Retail Installment Sales Contract? Understanding Your Auto Loan Rights
By: Robert J. Nahoum What Is a Retail Installment Sales Contract? A retail installment sales contract (often called a “RISC” or “RIC”) is the primary finance contract you sign when you buy a car on credit from a dealership instead of paying cash. In this deal, you agree to pay the dealer the price of the vehicle over time, with interest, and […]
Five Tips to Avoid Getting Ripped Off by an Auto Dealer — And What to Do If You Were
By: Robert J. Nahoum Buying a car should be exciting, not stressful. Unfortunately, some auto dealers take advantage of buyers through hidden markups, fake financing promises, or misleading disclosures. As a New York/ New Jersey consumer protection and auto fraud lawyer, I’ve helped many clients recover when they were deceived. Here are five tips to avoid getting ripped off by an […]
Electronic Funds Transfer Act vs. Fair Credit Billing Act: Key Differences, Damages and Consumer Rights
By: Robert J. Nahoum The Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA), 15 U.S.C. §1693 et seq., governs electronic transfers from consumer bank accounts, including debit‑card, ATM, online banking, and app‑based transfers. The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), 15 U.S.C. §1666, governs “open‑end” credit accounts, such as credit cards, and provides a dispute process for billing errors and unauthorized charges. What the EFTA Covers […]
Why Car Dealers Want You “Back at the Dealership” After Discovering a Bad Car Deal
By: Robert J. Nahoum When your car deal doesn’t match what the dealer promised, you may discover an inflated price, hidden fees, or unwanted add‑ons buried in your Retail Installment Sales Contract. Dealers then push you to “come back to the dealership” to fix it—often to limit their exposure to Truth in Lending Act violations and auto fraud claims. When […]
Where the Real Car Dealer Rip-Offs Happen: Inside the Finance & Insurance Office
By: Robert J. Nahoum The Salesperson Isn’t the Real Problem When you walk into a dealership, the first person you meet is usually a smiling salesperson eager to get you behind the wheel. Sure, they might push for a quick sale or talk up a “great deal,” but the real trouble usually starts after you’ve agreed on a price. That’s […]
How Auto Dealers Use “Tire and Wheel” Warranties to Overcharge and Rip Off Consumers
By: Robert J. Nahoum How Auto Dealers Use “Tire and Wheel” Warranties to Inflate Prices If you’ve bought a car recently, you may have noticed a line item on your purchase order for a “tire and wheel” warranty. Supposedly, this plan protects you if you damage your tires or wheels on potholes or road debris. But in reality, these add-ons […]
How Auto Dealers Use Service Contracts to Rip Off Consumers (And What You Can Do)
By: Robert J. Nahoum What is a service contract? A service contract is a written agreement to perform maintenance or repair services on a consumer product—like a car—over a fixed period of time or for a specified duration. In the auto‑dealership world, these are often marketed as “extended warranties” or “vehicle protection plans,” but legally they are separate contracts that you pay extra for, […]
How Rising New Car Prices Fuel Used Car Inflation and Dealer Scams
By: Robert J. Nahoum Why new‑car prices are pushing used‑car prices up New‑vehicle prices have climbed sharply in recent years, with the average new‑car transaction price now well above $48,000 in 2025, according to industry data. As new cars become less affordable, more consumers are turning to the used‑car market, which in turn drives demand and lifts wholesale and retail used‑vehicle values. […]
GAP Insurance in Auto Sales: How Dealers Take Advantage of Unwary Car Buyers
By: Robert J. Nahoum Walking into a car dealership can feel like stepping into a high-stakes negotiation where every signature carries weight. You’ve done the hard work—found the perfect car and settled on a price—only to reach the “fateful” final stop: the Finance & Insurance (F&I) office. Among the mountain of paperwork and add-ons, the representative will inevitably pitch you […]