Free Buyer GuidesCalifornia Car Repair Fraud Attorney
What Is Car 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 widespread problem in our state that we have a government agency to help: The California Bureau of Automotive Repair. The 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.
Consumers in California have specific legal rights when it comes to auto repair:
- 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.
- Shops may not do any work until you authorize it. If they turn up another problem, you must authorize that work before they can perform it.
- Written work orders must have a specified dollar amount; signing it requires you to pay only up to that amount.
- Shops must give you a detailed invoice for the work, and note when work is subcontracted out.
- You may ask to keep any parts they plan to replace.
- You may question any charges with the manager of the shop. If those questions aren't answered to your satisfaction, you have the right to file a complaint with the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
Auto repair fraud is illegal in California under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, which prohibits unfair and deceptive business practices. If you were cheated by an unethical auto repair shop, you have the right to sue to recover what you paid, any other costs related to the repair, attorney fees and more. The Southern California car repair fraud lawyers at the Law Office of Howard D. Silver strongly recommends 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 and it may take months to resolve a claim with the agency.
The Law Offices of Howard D. Silver is guaranteed to put your interests first, because we work on contingency. That means we only get paid if you win; if you lose, we never take a fee. Fortunately, with more than 20 years of experience representing only automotive fraud and lemon-law clients, Howard Silver has built a strong record. And we offer free initial case evaluations to potential clients, to help both of us decide if we're right for your case. 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 half-hour consultation with Howard Silver.