By: Robert J. Nahoum Many consumers assume that when something goes wrong with a vehicle, the warranty will protect them. Unfortunately, auto dealers and manufacturers do not always honor those promises. That is where the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act comes in, a powerful federal law designed to protect consumers from deceptive warranty practices. If you purchased a car and the dealer […]
The “Federal Lemon Law” What Is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and How Does It Impact Auto Sales
Extended Warranty vs. Service Contract: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters Legally?
By: Robert J. Nahoum When buying a car, especially a used one, dealers often push “extended warranties” as a way to protect you from costly repairs. But here’s the problem: many of these products are not actually warranties at all. They are service contracts, and that distinction can have serious legal consequences. If you’ve ever felt confused or misled during […]
Must Auto Dealers Provide Finance Car Buyers with a Copy of the Sales Contract?
By: Robert J. Nahoum When you finance a car through a dealership, one of the most important documents in the transaction is the retail installment sales contract. The buyer should receive a copy of that contract, because it shows the real terms of the deal and helps the consumer verify what was actually agreed to. This matters not only as […]
Caught in an Auto Dealer Bait and Switch? Know Your Rights
By: Robert J. Nahoum You find the perfect car online. The price is right, the monthly payment fits your budget, and the listing says it’s sitting on the lot right now. You drive down to the dealership, excited to sign the paperwork, only to hear the salesperson say: “Oh, that car just sold an hour ago. But let me show […]
Mazda and Toyota Stop Buying Brokered Deals in New Jersey: What Car Buyers Should Know
By: Robert J. Nahoum Mazda and Toyota’s finance companies have taken a big step in New Jersey: they will no longer purchase lease or retail contracts involving brokered vehicle deals in the state. For consumers, this is another sign that brokered auto sales are drawing more scrutiny, especially when they involve transactions that may not comply with New Jersey law. […]
Digital Car Loan Signatures: A Step-by-Step Guide to Avoid Dealer Fraud
By: Robert J. Nahoum Digital signatures have made buying a car faster and more convenient, but they’ve also opened the door to new kinds of dealer fraud. Many buyers don’t realize that clicking “sign” on a tablet or phone can lock them into loan terms they never actually saw or agreed to. If you’re financing a car, especially through a […]
Purchase Order vs. Bill of Sale vs. Retail Installment Contract: How to Spot Auto Dealer Fraud
By: Robert J. Nahoum Auto dealers rarely hand you just one document when you buy a car, and that’s not by accident. Buried in the paperwork are often inconsistencies, hidden fees, or outright misrepresentations. Understanding the difference between the purchase order, bill of sale, and retail installment sales contract can make the difference between a fair deal and getting ripped […]
Don’t Trust the Talk—Read the Contract: When Car Buyers Are Bound by What They Sign
By: Robert J. Nahoum Buying a car should be exciting. Unfortunately, for many consumers, it turns into a legal headache when what they were told at the dealership doesn’t match what they actually signed. As a consumer protection attorney, I regularly speak with people who say some version of the same thing: “That’s not what the salesperson told me.” While that may […]
Deceptive Car Sales: Understanding False Advertising Laws in New York
By: Robert J. Nahoum Buying a vehicle is one of the most significant purchases you will make. Unfortunately, not all car dealerships play fair. From bait-and-switch pricing tactics to hidden fees and misleading advertisements, some dealers resort to deceptive practices to lure buyers onto the lot. If you feel you have been misled by a dealer’s advertisement, you are not […]
Leveling the Playing Field: How TILA Fee-Shifting Makes Justice Accessible in Auto Lending
By: Robert J. Nahoum When consumers shop for a new or used vehicle, the financing process can often feel overwhelming. Between confusing paperwork, add-on products, and complex interest rates, it is easy for hidden fees or deceptive practices to slip through the cracks. For most individuals, the thought of hiring an attorney to fight an auto finance dispute sounds far […]