Consumer Law Overview
Consumer Law Resources
Related Practice Areas
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.
Show Extended SummaryDockets 
- Thomas v. ARS National Services, Inc.
Minnesota District Court
Truth in Lending
Filed: July 31, 2008
Plaintiff: Kay Thomas, Kay Thomas Defendant: ARS National Services, Inc.
(July 30, 2008) - Sales v. Urankar et al
Missouri Eastern District Court
Truth in Lending
Filed: July 30, 2008
Plaintiff: Andrew Sales; Defendant: John Urankar, Gateway Automotive
(July 29, 2008) - Beall v. American Home Mortgage Inc. et al
Virginia Eastern District Court
Truth in Lending
Filed: July 30, 2008
Plaintiff: Laura Beall; Defendant: American Home Mortgage Inc., Vanguard Mortgage & Title, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, American Home Mortgage Securities LLC, American Brokers Conduit and others...
(July 29, 2008) - Terry v. Nova Star Mortgage, Inc. et al
Virginia Eastern District Court
Truth in Lending
Filed: July 30, 2008
Plaintiff: Charles C. Terry, Jr.; Defendant: Nova Star Mortgage, Inc., Saxon Mortgage Services, Inc., Successors and Assignees
(July 29, 2008) - Adardour v. American Settlements Incorporated et al
Virginia Eastern District Court
Truth in Lending
Filed: July 30, 2008
Plaintiff: Kamar Adardour Defendant: American Settlements Incorporated, Citi Financial Services Incorporated
(July 29, 2008)
Legislation 
- Bill Sent To President: H.R.4137 College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007
To amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes.
August 31, 2008: Cleared for White House.
(August 29, 2008) - Bill Sent To President: H.R.4040 Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act
To establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
August 31, 2008: Cleared for White House.
(August 29, 2008) - Bill Signed by President: H.R.6432 Animal Generic Drug User Fee Act of 2008
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the animal drug user fee program, to establish a program of fees relating to generic new animal drugs, to make certain technical corrections to the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007, and for other purposes.
August 14, 2008: Signed by President.
(August 12, 2008) - Bill Signed by President: S.2607 DTV Transition Assistance Act
A bill to make a technical correction to section 3009 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
July 30, 2008: Signed by President.
(July 28, 2008) - Bill Enacted: H.R.3221 Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008
A bill to provide needed housing reform and for other purposes.
July 30, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-289.
(July 28, 2008)
Regulations 
- Rule - Telemarketing Sales Rule
Federal Trade Commission
Rule
Telemarketing Sales Rule,
51164-51204 [E8-20253]
Part V Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 310 Telemarketing Sales Rule (``TSR''); Final Rule Amendments FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 310 RIN: 3084-AA98 Telemarketing Sales Rule (``TSR'') AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission ACTION: Final Rule Amendments SUMMARY: The Commission adopts two final amendments to the TSR. The first is an amendment making explicit a prohibition in the TSR on telemarketing calls that deliver prerecorded messages without a consumer's express written agreement to... [read document]
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(August 28, 2008) - Proposed Rule - Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule
Federal Trade Commission
Proposed Rule
Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule,
42285-42293 [E8-16634]
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 455 Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Request for public comments. SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') requests public comments on its Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule (``Used Car Rule'' or ``Rule''). The Commission is soliciting the comments as part of the FTC's systematic review of all current Commission regulations and guides. DATES: Written comments relating to the... [read document]
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(July 20, 2008) - Proposed Rule - Disclosures Regarding Energy Consumption and Water Use of Certain Home ...
Federal Trade Commission
Proposed Rule
Disclosures Regarding Energy Consumption and Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and Other Products, etc.,
40988-40992 [E8-16283]
Proposed Rules Federal Register FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 305 [RIN 3084-AB03] Rule Concerning Disclosures Regarding Energy Consumption and Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Required Under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (``Appliance Labeling Rule'') AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission). ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking and public meeting announcement. SUMMARY: Section 321 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007... [read document]
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(July 16, 2008) - Rule - Automotive Fuel Ratings, Certification and Posting
Federal Trade Commission
Rule
Automotive Fuel Ratings, Certification and Posting,
40154-40165 [E8-15245]
Part VI Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR Part 306 Automotive Fuel Ratings, Certification and Posting; Final Rule FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 306 RIN 3084-AA45 Automotive Fuel Ratings, Certification and Posting AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission''). ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Section 205 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires the Commission to promulgate biodiesel and biomass-based diesel labeling requirements. In accordance with this... [read document]
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(July 10, 2008) - Rule - Energy Consumption and Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Required ...
Federal Trade Commission
Rule
Energy Consumption and Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Required Under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act,
39221-39226 [E8-15243]
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 305 RIN 3084-AA74 Rule Concerning Disclosures Regarding Energy Consumption and Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Required Under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (``Appliance Labeling Rule'') AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission''). ACTION: Final Rule. SUMMARY: Section 324 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires the Commission to issue labeling rules for metal halide lamp fixtures and... [read document]
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(July 8, 2008)
Government 
- Notice - SES Performance Review Board; Appointment of Members
Federal Trade Commission
Notice
SES Performance Review Board; Appointment of Members,
51820 [E8-20571]
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION SES Performance Review Board AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission ACTION: Notice SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the appointment of members to the Federal Trade Commission's Performance Review Board. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Leydon, Director of Human Resources, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326- 2633. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Publication of the Performance Review Board (PRB) membership is required by 5 U.S.C. 4314 (c)(4). The PRB... [read document]
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(September 4, 2008) - Notice - Public Workshops and Roundtables: Emerging Health Care Competition and Consumer Issues
Federal Trade Commission
Notice
Public Workshops and Roundtables:
Emerging Health Care Competition and Consumer Issues,
51479-51482 [E8-20399]
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION Public Workshops and Roundtables: Emerging Health Care Competition and Consumer Issues AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission ACTION: Notice of Public Workshops and Roundtables and Opportunity for Comment SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') announces it will hold two workshops and roundtables in the fall of 2008 on emerging health care competition and consumer issues. They will focus on two distinct areas in which competition and consumer... [read document]
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(September 2, 2008) - Notice - Meetings: Prohibition of Unfair Methods of Competition In Section 5 of the Federal ...
Federal Trade Commission
Notice
Meetings:
Prohibition of Unfair Methods of Competition In Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act; Public Workshop,
50818-50819 [E8-20008]
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION Public Workshop Concerning the Prohibition of Unfair Methods of Competition In Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice of Public Workshop SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission will hold a public workshop on October 17, 2008, in Washington, D.C., to explore the scope of the prohibition of ``unfair methods of competition'' in Section 5 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 45. In particular, the workshop will consider the... [read document]
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(August 27, 2008) - Notice - Analyses of Agreements Containing Consent Orders to Aid Public Comment: Sun ...
Federal Trade Commission
Notice
Analyses of Agreements Containing Consent Orders to Aid Public Comment:
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.,
49207-49209 [E8-19213]
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION [File No. 071 0193] Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.; Analysis of Agreement Containing Consent Orders 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... [read document]
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(August 19, 2008) - Notice - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
Federal Trade Commission
Notice
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,
46006-46007 [E8-18098]
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission''). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The information collection requirements described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA''). The FTC is seeking public comments on its proposal to extend through January 31, 2012, the current PRA clearance for... [read document]
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(August 6, 2008)
Articles 
- Individual Voluntary Arrangements: A 'Fresh Start' for Salaried Consumer Debtors in England and ...
Adrian Walters Nottingham Trent University Date Posted: September 6, 2008 Last Revised: September 6, 2008
(September 5, 2008) - The Rise and Fall of Invasive ISP Surveillance
Paul Ohm University of Colorado Law School Date Posted: August 31, 2008 Last Revised: September 4, 2008
(September 3, 2008) - Resolving the Foreclosure Crisis: Mortgage Modification in Bankruptcy
Georgetown Law and Economics Research Paper No. 1071931, Georgetown Public Law Research Paper No. 1071931 Adam Levitin and Joshua Goodman Georgetown University - Law Center and Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Economics Date Posted: August 26, 2008 Last Revised: September 3, 2008
(September 2, 2008) - What Californians Understand about Privacy Online
Chris Jay Hoofnagle , Jennifer King and University of California, Berkeley - School of Law, Berkeley Center for Law & Technology , Berkeley Center for Law & Technology and University of California, Berkeley - School of Law Date Posted: September 3, 2008 Last Revised: September 3, 2008
(September 2, 2008) - Does Your Website Put You at Risk? Liability Issues in Using Third Party Content: Global ...
James R. Maxeiner University of Baltimore School of Law Date Posted: August 25, 2008 Last Revised: September 1, 2008
(August 31, 2008)
News 
- Lemon Law Texas Explained To The Layman
Corsavoo.com, France - 3 hours ago
Lemon Law Texas covers all vehicles, from motorbikes to mobile homes, as long as you purchased them new from the manufacturer. Lemon Law Texas does not ...
(September 5, 2008)
international.news.bg
FBI Arrested A Bulgarian For Securities Fraud
international.news.bg, Bulgaria - Sep 5, 2008
The 35-year old Bulgarian Yulian Tsolov has been arrested in the United States. A charge will be brought against him for fraud in the sale of securities, ...
(September 4, 2008)
Examiner.com
Auction-rate Securities Fraud Provides Good Lesson
Examiner.com - Sep 4, 2008
The recent scandal that involved financial brokers, including two who the US Securities and Exchange Commission have charged with fraud this week, ...
(September 3, 2008)
Boston Globe
Credit Suisse brokers take Auction Rate Securities fraud to new depths
BloggingStocks - Sep 4, 2008
The New York Times reports that two Credit Suisse brokers took Auction Rate Securities (ARS) fraud to a new level. They fabricated an ARS-issuing agency ...
Two charged with fraud in auction-rate case Los Angeles Times
Two brokers face sub-prime fraud charges Legalbrief (subscription)
Indictment Says Brokers Hid Mortgage Investments From Clients Housing Wire
all 527 news articles
(September 3, 2008)- Woman files Lemon Law suit against Harmon, GM
Southeast Texas Record, TX - Sep 4, 2008
By David Yates ORANGE -- Claiming she was sold a lemon, Terri Jones has filed suit against Harmon Chevrolet and General Motors Corp. ...
(September 3, 2008)
Blog Posts 
- The Democratic And Republican National Convention Speeches, As Seen Through Wordle
It's all over: Years of planning, hours of speech-writing, millions spent on creating the venues to host thousands of Democratic and Republican convention attendees. What remains are the words that the politicians spoke (or didn't,) and the promises they made. To re-cap those words, we thought we'd create a Wordle gallery of the most notable candidates', spouses', and supporters' speeches. Wordle is an online application created by IBM's senior software engineer Jonathan Feinberg. Using text...
(September 5, 2008) - Citibank Says, “Stealing From Our Customers is a Business Decision”
What do you think would happen if you walked into a convenience store and took money out of the till? How about if you robbed a bank? Embezzled from your employer? I'd be willing to bet that you'd be serving some serious jail time... unless, of course, you're Citibank. The ...
(September 5, 2008) - Government to Seize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?
The New York Times just reported that senior officials from the Bush Administration and the Fed say the government is preparing a plan to seize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and place them in a conservatorship.
(September 5, 2008) - Reverse Redlining Predatory Lending Complaint
The Associated Press, via Law.com, reports here that a Texan has brought a reverse redlining predatory lending suit suit. According to the article, the plaintiff charges that she was "victimized by a loan with onerous terms because of her skin color. " Baltimore City in Maryland had previously sued a lender on a similar theory. The article doesn't indicate the authority for the reverse redlining claim (perhaps section 3605 of the Fair Housing Act?), but notes that the plaintiff is suing under...
(September 5, 2008) - Israeli Hacker Known as "The Analyzer" Suspected of Hacking Again
Canadian authorities have announced the arrest of a 29-year-old Israeli named Ehud Tenenbaum whom they believe is the notorious hacker known as "The Analyzer" who, as a teenager in 1998, hacked into unclassified computer systems belonging to NASA, the Pentagon, the Israeli parliament and others. Tenenbaum and three Canadians were arrested for allegedly hacking the computer system of a Calgary-based financial services company and inflating the value on several pre-paid debit card accounts before...
(September 5, 2008)