http://newjersey.news12.com/story/38515753/kiyc-car-recall-bill-may-provide-less-protection-in-legal-disputes
NEWJERSEY.NEWS12.COM
KIYC: Car recall bill may provide less protection in legal disputes
Hank Wolfe
June 26, 2018 at 9:05 PM ·
To all my FB friends in NJ. I am asking for your help! On Thursday the NJ Senate will vote on a bill that would permit dishonest car dealers to rip off consumers without fear of being taken to court under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, which has stood for over 50 years as one of the most effective consumer protection laws in the country. Senate bill S-2740 (in Assembly it's A-4292),would eliminate the Consumer Fraud Act's requirement that a business found guilty of Consumer Fraud must pay the victim's reasonable attorneys fees, and instead would make attorney's fees optional at the judge's whim, and limit them to $1000 or 1/3 of damages.
Without mandatory attorney's fees, consumer lawyers like me will not be able to take cases against dishonest car dealerships, because consumers who are ripped off for a few thousand dollars generally can't afford to pay a lawyer thousands of dollars to recover it. The bill would also eliminate mandatory triple damages for victims of Consumer Fraud, which is designed to deter violations and permit consumers to stand up for their rights in cases that would otherwise be too small to be worth pursuing.
The bill will not only hurt New Jersey consumers, but also honest car dealers (like Michael Kornfeld at Salit Auto Sales) who will be at a competitive disadvantage against dishonest dealerships that advertise lower prices, without disclosing prior accidents, hidden unlawful fees, etc. The bill was pushed through the Senate Commerce Committee last week, disguised as a bill about used car recalls, and sponsored by two Senators who took large contributions from a crooked South Jersey dealership chain. It is the epitome of corruption and cynicism. There will be a story on it at 5:30 tonight on News 12 New Jersey.
PLEASE call your Senator and Assembly-person's office right now, or first thing in the morning, and tell them that you oppose S-2740 / A-4292. You can find a list of lawmakers by district and their phone numbers at www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp
If you'd like, you can use this script:
I am (your name) and I am calling to oppose Bill S-2740 / A-4292. The bill protects dishonest car dealers and limits the rights of victims defrauded by car dealers. As written, it applies to all transactions a consumer has with a car dealer, not just to notifications of recalls and receipt of documents. It will make it financially impossible for a victim of fraud to hire an attorney against a car dealer. Please vote NO on this unfair protection for car dealers at the expense of defrauded consumers.
Thanks for your help! And please share this freely (and quickly if possible).
To all my FB friends in NJ. I am asking for your help! On Thursday the NJ Senate will vote on a bill that would permit dishonest car dealers to rip off consumers without fear of being taken to court under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, which has stood for over 50 years as one of the most effective consumer protection laws in the country. Senate bill S-2740 (in Assembly it's A-4292),would eliminate the Consumer Fraud Act's requirement that a business found guilty of Consumer Fraud must pay the victim's reasonable attorneys fees, and instead would make attorney's fees optional at the judge's whim, and limit them to $1000 or 1/3 of damages.
Without mandatory attorney's fees, consumer lawyers like me will not be able to take cases against dishonest car dealerships, because consumers who are ripped off for a few thousand dollars generally can't afford to pay a lawyer thousands of dollars to recover it. The bill would also eliminate mandatory triple damages for victims of Consumer Fraud, which is designed to deter violations and permit consumers to stand up for their rights in cases that would otherwise be too small to be worth pursuing.
The bill will not only hurt New Jersey consumers, but also honest car dealers (like Michael Kornfeld at Salit Auto Sales) who will be at a competitive disadvantage against dishonest dealerships that advertise lower prices, without disclosing prior accidents, hidden unlawful fees, etc. The bill was pushed through the Senate Commerce Committee last week, disguised as a bill about used car recalls, and sponsored by two Senators who took large contributions from a crooked South Jersey dealership chain. It is the epitome of corruption and cynicism. There will be a story on it at 5:30 tonight on News 12 New Jersey.
PLEASE call your Senator and Assembly-person's office right now, or first thing in the morning, and tell them that you oppose S-2740 / A-4292. You can find a list of lawmakers by district and their phone numbers at www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp
If you'd like, you can use this script:
I am (your name) and I am calling to oppose Bill S-2740 / A-4292. The bill protects dishonest car dealers and limits the rights of victims defrauded by car dealers. As written, it applies to all transactions a consumer has with a car dealer, not just to notifications of recalls and receipt of documents. It will make it financially impossible for a victim of fraud to hire an attorney against a car dealer. Please vote NO on this unfair protection for car dealers at the expense of defrauded consumers.
Thanks for your help! And please share this freely (and quickly if possible).
Although over half a decade ago, New Jersey consumers are still feeling the effects of Superstorm Sandy.
NJ.COM
Hurricane Sandy contractor accused of $348K fraud
The attorneys of The Wolf Law Firm are attending the National Consumer Law Center conference where Senator Elizabeth Warren is about to speak
Did you know: There are several statutes and regulations governing the conduct of home improvement contractors in drafting a home improvement contract as well carrying out the home improvements. For example, a home improvement contract is required to contain the date that a contractor will begin work as well as the date the work will be completed. Also, a contractor is required to place their contractor registration number on all contracts to allow consumers to find out if they are indeed registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs.
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs recently filed a complaint against a home improvement contractor who was retained by New Jersey consumers to carry out repairs following Superstorm Sandy for violations of New Jersey consumer protection statutes and regulations.
NJCONSUMERAFFAIRS.GOV
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Press Release
