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Virginia Consumer Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Consumer Law and Contracts for Virginia on
Q: Long story. I cos-sign for a car. Some how they switched ot to make me principle buyer. Car payment 2 1/2 months behind

No tax paid since car was bought. Caused a stop fee on my dmv record. No insurance on vehicle and tags is no good since February 2023. Loan company said I can do a volunteer repo bust I must bring it in. The other signer refuse. What can I do please help.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 13, 2023

In Virginia, if you find yourself incorrectly listed as the principal buyer on a car loan you cosigned, you should first review the loan agreement and any related documents to understand how this change occurred. If there's evidence of a mistake or fraudulent activity, you may need to dispute... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Construction Law for Virginia on
Q: Do I really need a lawyer?

I need to sue a contractor who built a deck that is not up to code for its intended purpose after I provided specific instructions to do so. It could be dangerous to life and limb.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 20, 2023

While it's not obligatory to hire an attorney to sue a contractor in Virginia, doing so is highly recommended, especially in cases involving construction defects that could pose safety risks. An attorney's expertise in Virginia's construction and contract laws can be invaluable in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Virginia on
Q: Cemetery mix up do I have a legal right to go after them
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 13, 2023

Yes, you may have a legal right to go after the cemetery if there was a mix-up with your loved one's remains. The specific legal claims that you may have will depend on the specific facts of your case. For personalized legal advice tailored to your unique circumstances, it's advisable to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Consumer Law, Small Claims and Insurance Bad Faith for Virginia on
Q: Should I file an insurance claim, work with my neighbors or contact an attorney?

The issue involves an HVAC company (AllTech) that performs HVAC and plumbing services on my condominium (Unit 304) and my neighbor’s (Unit 404) who lives directly above me. The issue is that AllTech failed to properly re-insert the condensation pipe into the drain when performing service on Unit... View More

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Aug 21, 2023

Assuming the condominium unit is in Virginia, I don't understand why you would not report a claim to your hazard insurance company for damage to your unit. The insurance proceeds will be used to repair the damage to your unit. Your insurance company will be subrogated to your right's to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Small Claims and Real Estate Law for Virginia on
Q: I am seeking counsel to see if working with an attorney is a better course of action than filing an insurance claim.

The issue involves the HVAC company (XXXX) that performs HVAC and plumbing services on my condominium (Unit 304) and my neighbor’s (Unit 404) who lives directly above me. The issue is that AllTech failed to properly re-insert the condensation pipe into the drain when performing service on Unit... View More

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Aug 20, 2023

Assuming your unit is in Virginia, I am not sure why you would hesitate to use your hazard insurance for a claim. Your insurance carrier will straighten it out, and use subrogation to recover from the party who is liable. Sure, there is likely common element damage as well, that should be covered... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Virginia on
Q: i been out of country and did not received the summons and court order judgment against me for the credit card payments

should i file motion and ask the court to set aside the case ?

Maria T Patente
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answered on Mar 20, 2023

If the Court Order occurred within 30 days, you may be able successfully motion the Court to re-open the case or re-try the case. If the Court Order occurred within the past 10 days, you could appeal to the Order to the Circuit Court. If you were in the military, you may be able to obtain relief... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Virginia on
Q: salemans modified cancelled contract, forged name, then file with collections agency..what options to stop collections

A salesman came to my son's home Nov 29th, demonstrated vacuum cleaner. Purchased, signed contract...had 3 days to cancel contract. Dec 1st he cancelled contract, salesman came picked up vacuum and took all paperwork including his copy of the contract stating he didn't need it anymore.... View More

Maria T Patente
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answered on Mar 20, 2023

Yes, your son could pursue a private right of action under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. In these cases, any intentional or willful actions that violate the act enable the Plaintiff to recover treble (triple) the damages and attorney fees. The Virginia Consumer Protection Act creates a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for Virginia on
Q: Can a debt collection agency imply that I obtained a payday loan from several years ago with FRAUD

I never received the 1st notice, I only received the 2nd notice, and the notice says that the debt was incurred several years ago, and that because my check came back as NSF, that i INTENDED TO DEFRAUD, the payday loan company. Add on i sent them a DEBT VALIDATION LETTER on the 21st of February,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2023

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors are prohibited from using false, deceptive, or misleading statements in an attempt to collect a debt. Implying that you obtained a payday loan with fraud, without evidence to support that claim, could be considered a violation of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Civil Litigation and Consumer Law for Virginia on
Q: I just refinanced on a car with a dealership that deals with banking, I signed a contract and car won’t go in reverse

They denied my refund it hasn’t been a whole 24 hours, I no longer trust the dealership because they are hanging up in my ear, I live in norfolk Va, how can I get help with this, does this fall under the lemon law, not to mention I told them I was unable to get insured which was reason 2 I wanted... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2023

If you have just purchased a car and it has a significant mechanical issue, such as the inability to go in reverse, you may be able to take action under Virginia's lemon law or other consumer protection laws. Under Virginia's lemon law, a car may be considered a "lemon" if it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Personal Injury for Virginia on
Q: What does Plaintiff hereby waives any and all right to be provided with any futther notice of payment of settlement fund

This is written in my settlement agreement that payment would be sent to counsel and my attorney stated the other attorney sent payment to another location like the check is lost

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 5, 2023

A Virginia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. It means that plaintiff waives further notification of settlement payment being sent, other than the initial notice made to the attorney. It sounds like the opposing attorney sent check to a wrong location, and that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Virginia on
Q: I bought a house that clearly stated in the listing “hardwood floors are throughout the home under the existing carpet”

When I was able to occupy the home I pulled up the carpet to find there was no hardwood floor. According to the VCPA I have a case against them

Steven Krieger
Steven Krieger
answered on Feb 22, 2023

Yes, it sounds like there was a misrepresentation re the hardwood floors, so you may have a valid VCPA claim. I'm sure anyone who responds would be happy to help if you decide to hire a lawyer. Good luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Contracts and Consumer Law for Virginia on
Q: Hello! I went to purchase a vehicle for my new business. The person at the dealership asked me to put down 2K

After looking for lenders for my loan. I was told by the finance rep to put down 2k to cover the tax and other fees at least due to the amount of the loan. At that moment, it wasn’t my intention to do so but I felt pressure to do it. Can I use any consumer law on this case?

Dragan Ivetic
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answered on Feb 10, 2023

The facts as presented in the question unfortunately are unclear as to what basis there would be for a consumer law claim.

Is there a claim of fraud or deceptive business practices? Just because you intended to do one thing and ended up doing another - does not by itself indicate fraud....
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Virginia on
Q: We took our rv in for repair last fall. Guy kept saying backed up/ needed more time etc. He is now avoiding us.

We originally paid to store the RV but the owner also does repairs so we went ahead and had him do our external repairs. Was given a quote we agreed to. Maintained contact with him and when he was ready to start our repair he would not take a credit card over the phone so I requested he send me... View More

Steven Krieger
Steven Krieger
answered on Jan 25, 2023

At this point, I think you have to send a letter through a law firm or file a lawsuit. Hopefully, the RV is still at the property, but you really have no way of knowing (unless you can see it through the gate). I'm sure anyone who responds would be happy to help if you decide to retain a firm.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law, Contracts and Collections for Virginia on
Q: Is there a statute of limitations on credit card debt?

I was contacted by a law group saying I owed on an old credit card debt. They're saying the last time they tried to contact me was 2016 from a card I obtained before 2010. It was a JCPenny store card. They're threatening garnishment. I paid off all my debts before I purchased my home in... View More

James H. Wilson Jr.
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James H. Wilson Jr.
answered on Dec 9, 2022

Credit card lawsuits typically involve two different jurisdictions - the issuer's home state and the borrower's home state, and the shorter of the two may apply in Virginia. In Virginia Code Section 8.01- 232, there are three conditions on the enforceability of a waiver of the right to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Products Liability and Construction Law for Virginia on
Q: Customer threatening to sue general contractor if not refunded for work

I’m a general contractor and did concrete driveway/sidewalk resurfacing. Work came with 5 year warranty materials/labor. After resurfacing, hairline cracks developed in the resurfacer in 3 areas. I and my conc. sub attempted multiple times to repair said cracks under warranty, but cracks... View More

Thomas H. Roberts
Thomas H. Roberts
answered on Aug 6, 2022

HIRE AN ATTORNEY - there are a number of overlapping issues. What is the actual warranty? Did the Customer's action improperly and tortiously interfere with your contractual relationship with Thumbtack? What liability if any does the manufacturer have? etc.

The response above is a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Virginia on
Q: What constitutes a written agreement with consumer debt?

I've been served warrant on credit card that was opened online and payments stopped more than 3 years ago. This account was opened by my ex husband in my name but I can't prove this. Statute of limitations would be easier.

Elaine Jarvis
Elaine Jarvis
answered on Jul 7, 2022

I assume you mean a warrant in debt, which is a contract-based claim in general district court. First piece of advice is to absolutely appear and ask for a trial to dispute the debt. Second, in Virginia, you have the right to request all the documents that gave rise to the debt. This is called... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Virginia on
Q: Do I have grounds to sue a vehicle dealership for failing to deliver a valid title to the DMV?

Hi! I am having an issue with a vehicle dealership in VA not sending the NCDMV a corrected title. The original title sent at purchase omitted the VIN number. NCDMV sent them a letter in March 2021 requesting a corrected one and they still have not. I have called and emailed them with no response. I... View More

Lynn Ellen Coleman
Lynn Ellen Coleman
answered on Mar 26, 2022

You need to consult a qualified consumer law attorney in Virginia about this. If the vehicle were purchased in North Carolina it would be subject to NC DMV fraud and licensing bureau for car dealers. I suggest filing a complaint with the Virginia equivalent of North Carolina DMV theft or car dealer... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Personal Injury for Virginia on
Q: Can I sue a college over late letters of recommendation from faculty?

Hello, I am a graduate student and I requested letters of recommendation for doctoral studies from both my graduate and undergraduate faculty from two different schools and they both turned the letters in late even though we had communicated via email prior. Once I saw that the letters were late... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 7, 2022

A Virginia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, one of the issues that would confront a law firm that contemplated such a case would be the determination of damages, absence of contract issues and uncertainties... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Virginia on
Q: I bought a car March 5th 22 “NEW” inspection sticker since i’ve had issues such as axels, the control arms they wont fix

they’re refusing to fix the issues it had when i purchased the vehicle that were not told to me and refusing to give me money back this vehicle should’ve never had a new inspection sticker

Steven Krieger
Steven Krieger
answered on Mar 19, 2022

If the vehicle was represented to you as "new" and it was not new, then you have a claim. If you have a warranty, the warranty should cover these repairs regardless. If you decide to hire an attorney, I'm sure anyone who responds would be happy to help. Good luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Business Law and Civil Litigation for Virginia on
Q: Car dealership refused to cancel my service contract & gap insurance even though they have a 30 day cancellation policy

I discovered days after purchasing my car that the dealership slipped a service contract and gap insurance into my loan contract. I then called/emailed the dealership multiple times asking for a cancellation but they refused, insisting that my car loan was tied to those products (contract says... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Oct 20, 2021

Your recourse is to file a breach of contract lawsuit against the dealership. It will be your burden of proof to persuade the Judge that your claims are proven by a preponderance of the evidence.

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