California Lemon Law Used Car Fraud in California Car Repair Fraud in California Motor Home Lemon Laws Unfair/Deceptive Business Practices Consumer Legal Remedies Act Toyota Recall Lemon Law

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Law Offices of
Howard D. Silver

513 Water Oak Lane, No. A,
Oak Park, CA 91377

Phone: 818-597-2610 or
866-49-lemon (866-495-3666)
Fax: 818-879-0862

E-mail: hsilver@howardsilverlaw.com

Visit the California lemon law web sites
of attorney Howard D. Silver:
California Motorhome Lemon Law
California Lemon Law
CA Lemon Laws
Motorcycle Lemon Law

California Auto Repair Fraud Attorneys

5 Steps to Protect Yourself from Auto Repair Fraud -- and Your 6 Legal Rights Under California Law

• What is Auto Repair Fraud in CA?
• How to Prevent Repair Fraud
• What's the First Step?

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What Is Auto Repair Fraud?

Almost everyone in California needs a car, but not all of us have the expertise and skills to know whether we're being cheated. In fact, auto repair fraud is such a big problem in our state that we have a government agency to help: The California Bureau of Automotive Repair. This agency regulates tens of thousands of auto repair shops in our state and helps consumers get more than $5 million each year in refunds, repairs or adjustments.

In California, auto repair fraud is illegal under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, which prohibits unfair and deceptive business practices.

When it comes to auto repair, you have 6 specific legal rights:

Your Legal Right #1: You have the right to take your business elsewhere if you don't like the shop's initial estimate. You may still be charged a reasonable amount for the estimate.

Your Legal Right #2: Shops may not do any work until you authorize it. If they turn up another problem, you must authorize work on the new problem before they begin.

Your Legal Right #3: Written work orders must specify a dollar amount. When you sign the work order, you are required to pay only up to that amount and no more.

Your Legal Right #4: Repair shops must give you a detailed invoice for the work, and note when work was subcontracted out to another repair facility.

Your Legal Right #5: You may ask to keep any parts the repair shop plans to replace.

Your Legal Right #6: You may question any charges with the manager of the shop. If your questions aren't answered to your satisfaction, you have the right to file a complaint with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair.

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How to Protect Yourself From Auto Repair Fraud

During the 1999/2000 fiscal years, the California Bureau of Automotive Repair negotiated refunds, rework and adjustments valued at more than $4.6 million from auto repair shops on behalf of consumers.

The Los Angeles Times recently quoted an official of the Bureau as saying, “40% of body work involves scams” -- and that “the insurance industry says it pays out about $3.2 billion for body repairs in California at the estimated rate of $2,843 per claim.”

If your car needs body work or repair for a mechanical condition -- or if you think you have been “ripped off” -- you can take these steps:

Step #1: Before getting any auto repair work done, look around for a good repair shop. Ask friends for referrals or check with people who might have information about what shop to go to.

Step #2: Always get a written estimate including the cost for the repair.

Step #3: After you pick up the car, if you think the repair was not done properly or the car is still broken, don't hesitate to take the car back and have the repair redone.

Step #4: If that doesn't work, file a complaint with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Step #5: If you suspect you may be the victim of fraud, you can have your car inspected for free. Please call our office for more information, which we'll give you at no charge. Our local number is 818-597-2610. Or you can reach us toll free at 1-866-49-lemon (1-866-495-3666).

In Most Cases, It Pays to File a Lawsuit

If you were cheated by an unethical auto repair shop, you have the right to sue to recover what you paid to the repair shop, any other costs related to the repair, attorney fees and more.

I recommend that you consider a lawsuit in addition to a complaint to the Bureau of Automotive Repair. A complaint may get your money back, but state agencies tend to be overworked and overwhelmed.

It may take months to resolve a fraud claim with the Bureau of Automotive Repair, however, an auto repair fraud lawsuit can be resolved in as little as one month. Plus, you can usually recover more in an auto repair fraud suit, because your lawyer is an advocate who gets paid to put your interests first.

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What's the First Step?

Fortunately, with more than 20 years of experience representing only automotive-fraud and lemon-law consumers, Howard Silver has built a strong record, with a 95% success rate and millions recovered for clients cheated by automakers, retailers and repair shops.

If you got a lemon of a repair, turn it Silver. Call the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver today at 1-866-49-LEMON or fill out our confidential online case evaluation form for a confidential, no-obligation consultation with Howard Silver.

You're Invited to Call or E-mail.

“If you have questions or problems relating to California's Lemon Law, car-repair fraud, used-car fraud, or unfair or deceptive business practices, please don't hesitate to call. I'll gladly speak with you over the telephone. Or, if you prefer, you can fill out our confidential online contact form at www.howardsilverlaw.com. I'll be happy to help you in every way.” -- Howard

HOWARD D. SILVER
CONSUMER PROTECTION & LEMON LAW ATTORNEY

LAW OFFICES OF HOWARD D. SILVER
513 Water Oak Lane, No. A • Oak Park, California 91377
www.howardsilverlaw.com • hsilver@howardsilverlaw.com
Local Telephone 818-597-2610

Toll Free 1-866-49-Lemon (1-866-495-3666)

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