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 […]
Digital Car Loan Signatures: A Step-by-Step Guide to Avoid Dealer Fraud
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 […]
The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) in Auto Lending What You Need to Know
By: Robert J. Nahoum When you walk into a dealership to buy a car, the excitement of driving off the lot can sometimes overshadow the fine print of the financing paperwork. For most of us, an auto loan is one of the largest financial commitments we make. But did you know there is a powerful federal law designed to ensure […]
Long-Term Auto Loans: Why Dealers Push 6-, 7-, and 8-Year Financing
By: Robert J. Nahoum Long-Term Auto Loans Are a Growing Problem Auto dealers increasingly steer buyers into loans longer than five years because the monthly payment looks more affordable, even though the total cost is much higher. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported that 42 percent of auto loans made in the prior year had terms of six years or […]
NY VTL 417: How New York Used Car Dealers Break the Law – And How a Consumer Auto Fraud Lawyer Can Help
By: Robert J. Nahoum What Is NY VTL 417? New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 417 requires retail dealers selling second‑hand motor vehicles to provide a written certificate about the condition and safety of the car at the time of sale. This certificate must follow a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and is meant to ensure […]
Why the Finance & Insurance Office, Not the Sales Floor, Is Where Auto Dealers Rip Off Consumers
By: Robert J. Nahoum The Salesperson vs. the F&I Rep When you walk onto a dealership lot, the first face you see is usually the salesperson. Their job is to show you vehicles, run you through test drives, and negotiate a sticker price for the car. They may run a quick credit check and talk about “great financing,” but they’re mainly focused […]
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 […]