Consumer Law Overview

What is consumer law?

Consumer law covers a broad range of legal issues that affect consumers, such as consumer fraud, investment fraud, identity theft, warranties, product safety (including food and drug safety and products liability), debtor rights, and many others. Consumer law is designed to protect the consumer from deception (such as palpably false information about a product or service) and coercion.

Consumer law places restrictions on businesses advertising and selling products or services to consumers. For example, consumer law forbids creditors from discriminating against an applicant for credit on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, marital status, or for receiving public assistance. It also grants consumers various rights, such as the right to privacy. Consumer law is commonly referred to as "consumer protection law," reflecting its intended function.

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Dockets AddThis Feed Button

  • Smith v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. et al
    California Eastern District Court
    Truth in Lending
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Plaintiff: David Smith; Defendant: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Chase Mortgage Credit Group, La Jolla Lending & Real Estate, Inc., Paul Bakhtiar, Pooyan Bakhtiar and others...

    (May 13, 2008)
  • Smith v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. et al
    California Eastern District Court
    Truth in Lending
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Plaintiff: David Smith Defendant: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

    (May 13, 2008)
  • Straat v. Chevy Chase Bank, F.S.B.
    Nevada District Court
    Truth in Lending
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Plaintiff: Rudolph Straat; Defendant: Chevy Chase Bank, F.S.B.

    (May 6, 2008)
  • Mike Spanos v. GMAC Mortgage et al
    California Central District Court
    Truth in Lending
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Plaintiff: Mike Spanos, Mike Spanos, Mike Spanos, Mike Spanos Defendant: GMAC Mortgage, DOES

    (May 5, 2008)
  • Osbourne v. Southern Cross Financial Group,inc.
    Florida Southern District Court
    Truth in Lending
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Plaintiff: Rose M. Osbourne Defendant: Southern Cross Financial Group,inc.

    (May 5, 2008)

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Regulations AddThis Feed Button

  • Proposed Rule - Prohibitions on Market Manipulation and False Information in Subtitle B of the ...
    Federal Trade Commission
    Proposed Rule
    Prohibitions on Market Manipulation and False Information in Subtitle B of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007,
    25614-25624 [E8-10102]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 317 [Project No. P082900] RIN 3084-AB12 Prohibitions On Market Manipulation and False Information in Subtitle B of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; request for public comment. SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) is requesting comment on the manner in which it should carry out its rulemaking responsibilities under Section 811 of Subtitle B of... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (May 6, 2008)
  • Proposed Rule - Guides for Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries
    Federal Trade Commission
    Proposed Rule
    Guides for Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries,
    22848-22849 [E8-9171]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 23 Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) ACTION: Extension of deadline for submission of public comments. SUMMARY: The FTC is extending the deadline for filing public comments on a proposed amendment to the platinum section of the Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries for an additional ninety (90) days. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (April 27, 2008)
  • Proposed Rule - Textile Fiber Products Identification Act; Rules and Regulations
    Federal Trade Commission
    Proposed Rule
    Textile Fiber Products Identification Act; Rules and Regulations,
    18727-18728 [E8-7179]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 303 Rules and Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Reopening of comment period. SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'' or ``FTC''), pursuant to a Petition filed by Mohawk Industries, Inc. (``Mohawk''), E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (``DuPont''), and PTT Poly Canada (``PTT Canada'') (hereinafter ``Petitioners''), solicited comments on whether the Commission should:... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (April 6, 2008)
  • Proposed Rule - Appliance Labeling Rule
    Federal Trade Commission
    Proposed Rule
    Appliance Labeling Rule,
    17263-17268 [E8-6566]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 305 RIN 3084-AA74 Appliance Labeling Rule AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for public comment. SUMMARY: Section 324 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires the Federal Trade Commission to issue labeling rules for metal halide lamp fixtures and ballasts by July 1, 2008. In accordance with this directive, the FTC is publishing proposed amendments to the Appliance Labeling... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (March 30, 2008)
  • Proposed Rule - Business Opportunity Rule
    Federal Trade Commission
    Proposed Rule
    Business Opportunity Rule,
    16110-16138 [E8-6059]
    Part II Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 37 Business Opportunity Rule; Proposed Rule FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 437 RIN 3084-AB04 Business Opportunity Rule AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Revised Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission'' or ``FTC'') is publishing a revised Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend Part 437, the trade regulation rule governing sale of business opportunities that are not covered by the amended... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (March 24, 2008)

Government AddThis Feed Button

  • Notice - Analysis of the Complaint and Proposed Consent Order: Agrium Inc. and UAP Holding Corp
    Federal Trade Commission
    Notice
    Analysis of the Complaint and Proposed Consent Order:
    Agrium Inc. and UAP Holding Corp.,
    26993-26995 [E8-10461]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION [File No. 081 0073] Agrium Inc. and UAP Holding Corporation; Analysis of the Complaint and Proposed Consent Order to Aid Public Comment AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Proposed Consent Agreement. SUMMARY: The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices or unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the draft... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (May 11, 2008)
  • Notice - TALX, Inc.; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order to Aid Public Comment
    Federal Trade Commission
    Notice
    TALX, Inc.; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order to Aid Public Comment,
    25706-25708 [E8-10027]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION [File No. 061 0209] TALX, Inc.; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order to Aid Public Comment AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Proposed Consent Agreement. SUMMARY: The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices or unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the draft complaint and the terms of the consent order --... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (May 6, 2008)
  • Notice - Delegation of Authority to Disclose Certain Nonpublic Complaint Information to ...
    Federal Trade Commission
    Notice
    Delegation of Authority to Disclose Certain Nonpublic Complaint Information to Domestic Law Enforcement Agencies,
    21134-21135 [E8-8482]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION Delegation of Authority To Disclose Certain Nonpublic Complaint Information to Domestic Law Enforcement Agencies AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Delegation of Authority. SUMMARY: The Commission has delegated authority to the Associate Director of the Division of Planning and Information, Bureau of Consumer Protection, to allow U.S. Consumer Sentinel law enforcement members to access, via the secure Consumer Sentinel Web site, all consumer complaints received... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (April 17, 2008)
  • Notice - Early Termination of the Waiting Period Under the Premerger Notification Rules
    Federal Trade Commission
    Notice
    Early Termination of the Waiting Period Under the Premerger Notification Rules,
    19065-19068 [E8-7134]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION Granting of Request for Early Termination of the Waiting Period Under the Premerger Notification Rules Section 7A of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a, as added by Title II of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, requires persons contemplating certain mergers or acquisitions to give the Federal Trade Commission and the Assistant Attorney General advance notice and to wait designated periods before consummation of such plans. Section 7A(b)(2) of the Act... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (April 7, 2008)
  • Notice - Analysis of Proposed Consent Order to Aid Public Comment: The TJX Companies, Inc
    Federal Trade Commission
    Notice
    Analysis of Proposed Consent Order to Aid Public Comment:
    The TJX Companies, Inc.,
    18281-18283 [E8-6950]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION [File No. 072 3055] The TJX Companies, Inc.; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order to Aid Public Comment AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Proposed Consent Agreement. SUMMARY: The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices or unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the draft complaint and the terms of the consent... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (April 1, 2008)

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Google News & Tags: consumer-law lemon-law consumer-fraud investment-fraud securities-fraud

Blog Posts AddThis Feed Button

  • Should I Record Abusive Phone Calls From Debt Collectors?
    We are often asked by Alabama consumers if they should record abusive debt collectors who call. While this is a complicated question, our general answer is "No". Recent cases have raised concerns for us about whether Alabama residents can record calls from other states that might require the consent of both parties. Alabama is known as a "one party" state. Only one person or party has to agree or consent to the recording of a call. While we disagree with these rulings, some courts have ruled...
    (May 15, 2008)
  • Vulture Mentality of Piling On Fees or Countercyclical Diversification Strategy
    In the recent hearing on mortgage servicing, the Senators probed Countrywide's chief executive for loan administration, Steve Bailey, on exactly how mortgage servicers (distinct from the owners of the mortgage) make their profits. Mr. Bailey confirmed the description in my article of the three ways that servicers earn revenue: a fee that is a percentage of the mortgage, float income from interest on temporarily-held funds, and retained fees such as late charges and other fees that are paid by...
    (May 15, 2008)
  • Congressmen Ask Charter to Freeze Web Profiling Plan
    Two powerful House members asked Charter Communications Friday to put a hold on its plans to monitor its customers' web habits in order to serve them targeted ads, questioning whether the scheme complies with federal privacy laws. In a letter (.pdf) to Charter CEO Neil Smit, Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey and Texas Republican Joe Barton asked if the company's plan would violate the Communications Act -- which puts strict limits on what cable companies can do with customer records. Charter...
    (May 15, 2008)
  • THE "JUNK MAIL REVOLT" HAS ARRIVED Any way you look at it, it's junk. I'm talking about the tons of unwanted mail that overwhelms many Americans each year. The average household receives 800 pieces of junk mail annually, much of it not welcome to the people receiving it. But, before reading further, check out the launching of the latest effort in the Do-Not-Mail war: JunkMailRevolt.org. This is a well-planned and calculating campaign to convince a lethargic Congress that some people are fed up...
    (May 15, 2008)
  • Can Charter Broadband Customers Really Opt-Out of Spying? Maybe Not
    Three days after it emerged that broadband provider Charter Communications plans to begin eavesdropping on its subscribers' web serving to build profiles for advertisers, serious questions about the technology remain unanswered -- including whether it's really possible to opt-out of the data collection. Charter Communications, one of the largest ISPs is the country, confirmed Tuesday that it's partnering with a company called NebuAd, which pays ISPs to let it install a monitoring box on their...
    (May 15, 2008)