The residents of Towson and nearby Maryland communities like Hampton, Brooklandville, Pikesville and Carney buy thousands of new and used cars each year, but not all of them are happy when they drive their purchases home.
Consumers usually anticipate overcharging and misrepresentation when they go vehicle shopping. However, they rarely believe that dealers will stoop to blatantly illegal practices like forgery, auto fraud and title washing. This kind of behavior remains worryingly common, and can occur in Maryland at new Mercedes, BMW, Hyundai, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan dealerships as well as used car lots. An experienced attorney with Whitney, LLP can hold the dishonest dealer responsible.
Car dealers have deep pockets, and the prospect of taking them to court can be daunting. If you have suffered financially because a new or used car dealer lied to you, forged initials on a credit application of finance contract or sold you a used car that you later found out had hidden damage or declared a total loss, consider putting the experienced attorneys at Whitney, LLP, in your corner. Our lawyers know what suing a car dealership entails, and they will fight tirelessly as they pursue compensation on your behalf.
Here are reviews from what some of our past clients have said about us, and here are some of our past settlement results in claims and lawsuits against car dealerships. We offer Legal Consultations. Call us at (410) 583-8000 or use our online form to request your free initial consultation today.
Common Auto Fraud in Towson, MD
Dealers like to get customers to drive off the lot in new cars, even when financing has not been approved. This is called Spot Delivery. In Maryland, if financing is not approved, a the dealer has to notify the customer in writing within 4 days, and the customer has to return the car within 2 days of that time. Then, the dealer has to return the down payment and any fees. They are not allowed to charge for reasonable wear and tear. Many buyers have called our office because the dealer tried to keep the down payment, or pretend that the buyer had to pay other fees because financing fell through. These dishonest acts are illegal, and Whitney, LLP can help.
Many victims of car dealer fraud in Towson, Owings Mills, Hampton, Brooklandville, Pikesville and Carney only find out that they have been overcharged when they compare the finance contract that was sent to the bank with the document they signed. They then realize that the finance manager or the car dealership forged their signature. Forged initials and signatures can attract the attention of government agencies and lead to criminal prosecutions. If you are looking for a lawyer to sue a car dealership, you should seek out a firm that has experience in this area and knows how dealerships operate.
Competition in the car business is fierce, and dealers sometimes resort to lying and forgery to increase vehicle selling prices. This is done by printing a second finance contract with a higher selling price and a lower interest rate, and sending that to the bank instead of the one the customer signed. Doing this allows the dealer to make more money without increasing the payment.
New car dealers and used car lots often make promises that they have no intention of keeping. The mantra in the car business is “get the pickup truck, SUV or car over the curb and worry about the details later.” This often leads to weeks or months of frustration for customers who just want what was promised to them. When items that are unlikely to be spotted by an untrained eye are involved, such as hidden frame damage and dangerous conditions, some dealers claim that parts were installed to make the problem go away, but are just worthless quick fixes. This can have tragic consequences.
The threat of legal action is usually the only thing that can prompt a dealer to make good on their commitments, which is why you should consider suing a car dealership as soon as you realize you have been cheated.
Whitney, LLP has sued many dealerships in Maryland and knows that it usually takes legal action to get them to do the right thing.
Towson, MD, Lawyer for Auto Misrepresentation and Fraud Claims
Dealing with lying and overcharging when buying a new or used vehicle is seen by many as inevitable, but that does not mean this kind of behavior is legal or acceptable. Our attorneys will explain your legal options and suggest a plan of action. Whitney, LLP, offers a free initial consultation. You should call us today at (410) 583-8000, or you can use our online form to contact us.
Watch our YouTube Channel and read our Auto Fraud blog for more information on dealer fraud cases.