The New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act is to be Watered Down, significantly.
New Jersey has one of the strongest Consumer Fraud Acts in the United States.
There is pending legislation to change the Consumer Fraud Act and make it easier to avoid civil penalties for fraud.
Amy Handlin and John McKeon are sponsoring an anti-consumer bill that would change the business landscape in New Jersey.
A key provision of the new New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act would exempt out of state transactions. This means the following: if someone in New Jersey commits consumer fraud upon a non-resident (living in NY, PA or CT) there are no consequences.
“a. apply only to transactions that take place in the State”
Car Salesmen and Dealerships to be Protected with Proposed Changes in Consumer Fraud Act.
Amy Handlin and Jack McKeon have sponsored and introduced ANTI-CONSUMER legislation to reduce consumer rights and protect car dealerships.
The changes in the Consumer Fraud Act would exempt or limit liability against businesses that are already regulated, such as car dealerships. It would also limit liability for consumers who consummate out-of-state transactions. This arguably contradicts other legislation that has been introduced to increase liability for those committing consumer fraud.
CAR DEALERSHIP SELLS CAR TO TWO BLIND PEOPLE.
This is not a joke. It is true.
The names will be withheld until suit is filed BUT today I saw, possibly, the worst case in the many years that I have been doing this type of work.
Both of my clients are legally blind, the primary obligor and the cosigner. They do not even have a driver’s license, nor are they permitted to drive. The dealership even got the car registered and insured. The customer was at the dealership with his cane and his glasses. When they told me the story it was hard to believe. They are both legally blind.
To make matters even worse, the car is a mess. It looks like it was in a prior accident with a different hood and various parts are melted on the interior of the car. They were told the car had only one prior owner, when in fact it had two.
The following are the causes of action (theories of liability) against the dealer and/or the lender:
• Consumer Fraud-deceptive conduct. Cox v. Sears.
• Fraud • Breach of contract • Breach of good faith and fair dealings. Wilson v. Hess
• Revocation. Cuesta v. Classic
• Negligence • Discrimination against disabled persons, the blind. Law against discrimination.
• Declaratory relief that the contract is void ab initio (from the beginning)
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There is an entire area of law that addresses junk faxes. This law as a general matter sets many limitation in the sending of junk faxes. 47 U.S.C.A. 227 et seq.
The basis theory on damages is that junk faxes cost people money in the form of wasted time, paper and toner. This is why there are statutory damages of $500 per violating junk fax.
The cases can be pursued in State or Federal Court and provide an award of counsel fees. If the Court finds that the violation was intentional the Court has the option to triple damages as punitive damages.
New Jersey Lemon Law Lawyer Blog