Debt Relief – How To Deal With Fraud
Fraud and misrepresentation can strike you at any time. Once it happens, what recourse do you have? Using the unfair and deceptive acts and practices (UDAP) laws, you may be able to terminate an agreement, stop payment, or get your money back. If you’re in the unfortunate circumstances of being sued by a creditor or collection agency, you could cite the UDAP violations as your defense.
Another alternative would be to consult with a lawyer about taking legal action against the seller. However, to save money and headaches, you should correspond by mail with the seller and inform them of the problem and demand to be reimbursed. Before you forward any correspondence, be sure to make copies of all original letters and only send copies of any supporting documents such as the original contract, receipts, canceled checks. If you don’t have any luck with the seller or he or she won’t offer you what you would desire, you can submit your letter and any supporting documentation as evidence in your case. Depending on the requirements of your state, disputes for smaller amounts can be filed in small claims court. If the amount is substantial, you’re better off utilizing the help of a lawyer.
If you don’t get results with your initial letter, you can also file a complaint with the appropriate government agency. Check with your local or state prosecutor’s office for a referral to the appropriate agency. Most businesses devote more attention and care to complaints generated from a higher governing authority. The employee assigned to handle your complaint will most likely have the power to negotiate a resolution or refund.
Regardless if you decide to follow through with litigation, it’s always a good idea to report the issue to the appropriate government agency. As more complaints filter in overtime, the government agency will most likely take action against the business. This would save other future consumers from being ripped off.
When you correspond with the government agency, don’t just forward a copy of the original demand letter you sent the business. Most agencies prefer to sit back and wait and see if a business will resolve the issue with you. But when you directly file a complaint with the agency, the agency will contact the business requesting a response to the allegations.
When submitting your agency complaint, don’t make the mistake of only submitting a copy of the original letter of demand you sent the business. When the agency sees you’re in the middle of trying to settle a dispute, they’ll most likely hold back from taking action until the business has ample opportunity to rectify the situation. A better technique would be to complete and submit the agency’s own complaint form along with any supporting paperwork such as copies of receipts, ads, warranties, contracts, and service agreements pertaining to the transaction. Log records of your efforts to settle the dispute can be included. To maximize your efforts, forward a copy of your agency complaint to the business.
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