New Jersey Consumer Fraud Lawyer Fighting for Consumers

Consumer fraud is far more common than people realize until it happens to them. If you believe that you have been defrauded, an experienced New Jersey consumer fraud lawyer can help you get your money back and repair other damage that has been done.

Consumer Fraud Law and Unfair Trade Practices in New Jersey

The New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act is considered to be one of the strongest laws in the country when it comes to protecting consumers against deceptive or unfair practices in a broad spectrum of transactions. The Consumer Fraud Act has three principal objectives:

1. To compensate victims of consumer fraud for their losses;
2. To punish unethical businesses and discourage fraudulent business practices; and
3. To incentivize attorneys to represent consumers in fraud cases by allowing the recovery of attorney’s fees and costs when they prevail.

The statute was originally enacted in 1960 to combat consumer fraud, allowing the New Jersey Attorney General to pursue enforcement actions for violations of the statute. The statute was later amended in 1971 to allow private citizens to bring their own claims, which has provided far greater protection for New Jersey consumers. If you believe that you have been the victim of deceptive or unethical business practices, a New Jersey consumer fraud lawyer can review your case and determine whether you have a claim.

A New Jersey Consumer Fraud Lawyer Handling All Types of Consumer Fraud Cases

The Consumer Fraud Act applies to businesses of any size, from single-person businesses to large national retailers, and encompasses almost any type of consumer transaction. Some of the common types of consumer fraud claims that our New Jersey consumer fraud lawyers handle include:

Home Improvement Contractor Fraud

Many instances of contractor fraud involve the contractor accepting a deposit or partial payment and then failing to complete or even begin the work. However, these cases can include instances where the work fails to meet accepted standards.

Credit Card Fraud

While credit card technology continues to improve, thieves are still able to use your credit card information to defraud both consumers and retailers.

Identity Theft

Often closely linked to credit card fraud, identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information with the intent of using it to commit some kind of fraud. This can include obtaining your name, date of birth, social security number, or banking information in order to gain access to your financial accounts or obtain loans that ultimately destroy your credit. Unfortunately, identity theft is becoming increasingly common and more sophisticated. An experienced Union County identity theft lawyer can help you with your claim.

Insurance fraud. When you purchase insurance, you are entering into a contract with the insurance company to pay for covered losses. Unfortunately, unscrupulous insurers will unreasonably deny or delay paying claims, leaving the consumer with a significant loss that should have been covered by their policy.

“Lemon Law” Cases

Vehicles that are leased or purchased new that require constant repair, have fundamental problems, or simply do not operate as they should be considered fraud under New Jersey’s lemon law. Your consumer fraud lawyer may be entitled to compensation if the dealer refuses to address the situation.

Mortgage Foreclosure Fraud

There are a wide variety of scams where consumers are lured into unfavorable loan modifications or other financing agreements in order to avoid foreclosure.

Investment Fraud

Investment fraud can include recommending unworthy investments, misrepresentations, omissions, unauthorized trading, “churning,” and other unethical practices intended to profit the investment firm, advisor, or broker.

Internet Privacy Violations

As more and more of our information is transmitted over and stored on the internet, data security and privacy is becoming increasingly important. Unethical businesses and individuals may obtain your personal data in an attempt to defraud you or others.

In each of these situations, you will have to demonstrate that you have suffered some kind of financial harm or other loss. For many, consumer fraud can be devastating, leaving you unable to pay bills and meet other obligations. If you have experienced any of these types of fraud, you should contact a New Jersey consumer fraud lawyer as soon as possible to discuss whether you have any recourse.

Class Action Lawsuits Involving Consumer Fraud In New Jersey

Consumer fraud isn’t always limited to a single transaction. In fact, many entities engaged in committing consumer fraud may be defrauding hundreds or even thousands of other consumers. In these situations, a class action lawsuit may be appropriate.

In a class action lawsuit, the lawsuit is for the benefit of a large group of people who have suffered as a result of the same fraud. For example, a class action lawsuit may be appropriate where an insurance company routinely denies coverage in the same type of claims. Those consumers can then be represented by a single lawsuit.

The benefit of a class action lawsuit is that the overall cost of the lawsuit is lower for each individual plaintiff. It also allows the claim to proceed more efficiently. In addition, a class action lawsuit can be a powerful tool for holding businesses accountable as they face tremendous liability.

A New Jersey consumer fraud lawyer can discuss with you whether a class action lawsuit may be appropriate in your case. If you have received notice of a class action lawsuit, they can also discuss with you how it could affect your rights.

Who Has the Right to Bring a Claim Under the Consumer Fraud Act?

The New Jersey Office of Consumer Affairs has primary jurisdiction over consumer fraud claims. However, as mentioned above, consumers always have the right to bring a private lawsuit against businesses and individuals who have committed fraud. In many ways, the ability to bring a private claim against these businesses is more effective than government enforcement, due to the limited resources that the agency has.

What Damages Are Available in New Jersey Consumer Fraud Claims?

Under the Consumer Fraud Act, consumers who have been the victim of fraud are entitled to triple damages. This means that you are entitled to three times the amount of your original economic loss.

If your claim is successful, you are also entitled to recover your attorney’s fees and court costs. A New Jersey consumer fraud lawyer can explain what this means for you if you choose to pursue a claim.

Contact New Jersey Consumer Fraud Lawyer Daniel P. Silberstein for Help

If you are the victim of consumer fraud, help is an email or phone call away. With deep experience in helping consumers get the compensation they are entitled to, consumer lawyer Daniel Silberstein can evaluate your case and explain your options. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.  Our office is conveniently located in Union County, New Jersey, and we serve clients in Newark, Elizabeth, and more.