Consumer Protection | Law | Friday Night Wiki

Your rights as a buyer, borrower, and consumer.

Consumer Rights Overview

Major Federal Laws

Law	What It Protects
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)	Credit report accuracy
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)	Against abusive debt collection
Truth in Lending Act (TILA)	Disclosure of credit terms
Fair Credit Billing Act	Billing error disputes
Equal Credit Opportunity Act	Against credit discrimination
Consumer Product Safety Act	Product safety
FTC Act	Against unfair/deceptive practices
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act	Warranty enforcement

Key Agencies

Agency	Role
FTC	Unfair trade practices, privacy
CFPB	Financial products and services
State AG	State consumer protection laws
BBB	Business complaints (non-governmental)
CPSC	Product safety

Credit Reports and Scores

Your Rights Under FCRA

Right	Details
Free annual report	From each bureau once per year
Dispute errors	Must investigate within 30 days
Know who accessed	Inquiries listed on report
Opt out of prescreened offers	1-888-5-OPT-OUT
Freeze your credit	Free since 2018
Fraud alerts	90-day initial, 7-year extended

Getting Your Reports

Method	Details
AnnualCreditReport.com	Only official free source
Directly from bureaus	May charge fee
Free monitoring services	Often offered by banks, apps

Disputing Errors

Step	Action
1	Get reports from all three bureaus
2	Identify errors in writing
3	Send dispute letter with evidence
4	Bureau investigates (30 days)
5	Review results
6	Escalate if not corrected

What you can dispute:

Valid Disputes	Not Valid
Incorrect account info	Accurate negative info
Accounts that aren't yours	Judgments you lost
Wrong payment history	Properly reported debt
Incorrect personal info	Old addresses (if accurate)
Outdated negative info	Inquiries you authorized

Credit Freezes vs. Fraud Alerts

Feature	Credit Freeze	Fraud Alert
Duration	Until you lift	1 year (or 7 with ID theft)
Effect	Blocks new credit	Extra verification required
Cost	Free	Free
Lifting	Requires PIN/password	Automatic expiration

Debt Collection

FDCPA Protections

Debt collectors cannot:

Prohibited Action	Example
Call before 8am or after 9pm	Midnight calls
Contact at work if you say no	After verbal request
Harass or threaten	Threatening violence
Use profane language	Cursing at you
Lie about debt	Inflating amounts
Claim to be attorney (if not)	False representation
Threaten arrest (for civil debt)	Unless actually criminal
Contact others about debt	Except to find you

Your Rights with Collectors

Right	How to Use
Written validation	Request within 30 days
Cease contact	Send written demand
Dispute debt	Collector must verify
Sue for violations	$1,000 per violation + actual damages

Responding to Collection

Situation	Best Response
Not your debt	Dispute in writing
Past statute of limitations	Know your rights, may be "zombie debt"
Valid debt	Negotiate settlement
Harassment	Document, demand cease, sue if needed

Sample cease letter elements:

Your name and address
Collector's name and address
Account number
Statement that you dispute the debt
Request to cease contact
Statement that further contact will be reported

Product Warranties

Types of Warranties

Type	What It Is
Express warranty	Written or verbal promises
Implied warranty of merchantability	Product works for intended purpose
Implied warranty of fitness	Product works for your specific purpose
Extended warranty	Additional coverage you purchase

Magnuson-Moss Act

Requirement	What It Means
Clear disclosure	Warranty terms must be available before purchase
Full vs. limited	Must specify type
No tying	Can't require brand-name parts for warranty
Coverage	Must state what's covered and for how long

Enforcing Warranties

Step	Action
1	Keep receipt and warranty documents
2	Contact seller/manufacturer in writing
3	Document defect with photos/videos
4	Allow reasonable repair attempts
5	Escalate to management
6	File with FTC, state AG, or sue

Lemon Laws

Vehicle Lemon Laws

Element	Typical Requirement
Coverage	New vehicles (some states include used)
Defect	Substantial, affects use/safety/value
Repair attempts	Usually 3-4 unsuccessful attempts
Time out of service	Usually 30+ days
Remedies	Replacement, refund, or buyback

Lemon Law Process

Step	Action
1	Document every repair attempt
2	Send written notice to manufacturer
3	Allow final repair attempt
4	File for arbitration or lawsuit
5	Receive replacement or refund

Credit Card Protections

Billing Disputes

Right	Details
Dispute period	60 days from statement
Written dispute	Required for full protection
Issuer investigation	2 billing cycles or 90 days
No payment required	On disputed amount during investigation
No interest	On disputed amount during investigation

Unauthorized Charges

Situation	Your Liability
Card stolen before use	$0 (if reported)
Card used then stolen	$50 max (if reported within 2 days)
Card number stolen (not card)	$0
Debit card	Higher liability, less protection

Chargeback Rights

Valid Chargeback	May Not Work
Didn't receive product	Buyer's remorse
Product significantly different	Minor defects
Charged wrong amount	After long delay
Unauthorized charge	If you authorized
Quality issues	If merchant has return policy

Identity Theft

Prevention

Action	Protection
Credit freeze	Blocks new accounts
Strong passwords	Unique for each account
Monitor accounts	Check regularly
Shred documents	Prevent dumpster diving
Secure mail	Locking mailbox, informed delivery
Be skeptical	Phishing awareness

If You're a Victim

Step	Action
1	Place fraud alerts with credit bureaus
2	Review credit reports
3	File FTC identity theft report
4	File police report
5	Contact affected companies
6	Consider credit freeze
7	Monitor accounts ongoing

Your Rights as Victim

Right	Details
Free credit reports	Beyond annual free ones
7-year fraud alert	Extended alert for victims
Block fraudulent info	On credit reports
Get copies of documents	From creditors
Prevent debt collection	On fraud-related debts

Scams and Fraud

Common Scams

Scam	Warning Signs
Phishing	Urgent emails asking for info
IRS impersonation	Calls threatening arrest
Tech support	Pop-ups claiming virus
Romance	Online relationship asking for money
Lottery/prize	You "won" something you didn't enter
Grandparent	"Help, I'm in jail" calls
Investment	Guaranteed high returns

Red Flags

Warning	Likely Scam
Urgency	"Act now or lose out"
Secrecy	"Don't tell anyone"
Unusual payment	Gift cards, wire transfer, crypto
Too good to be true	Guaranteed returns, free money
Unsolicited contact	Out of the blue offer
Pressure	Won't give time to think

Reporting Fraud

Type of Fraud	Where to Report
General fraud	FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
Internet crime	FBI's IC3.gov
Phone scams	FCC
Mail fraud	USPS Inspector
Investment fraud	SEC
Tax-related	IRS

Small Claims Court

When to Use

Good for Small Claims	Not Good
Under limit ($2,500-$25,000 by state)	Complex legal issues
Straightforward disputes	Large damages
Can prove your case	Need extensive discovery
Other party has assets	Defendant has no money

Process

Step	Action
1	Try to resolve directly first
2	Send demand letter
3	File claim at courthouse
4	Pay filing fee ($30-$100 typically)
5	Serve defendant
6	Appear at hearing
7	Present evidence
8	Collect judgment (if you win)

Preparing Your Case

Preparation	Why It Matters
Organize documents	Evidence is key
Make copies	For court and defendant
Prepare timeline	Clear story
Bring witnesses	If available
Practice presentation	Be concise
Know the amount	Be specific about damages

Online Shopping Protection

Your Rights

Protection	Details
Receive ordered items	Or get refund
Shipping date	Must be told if delayed
30-day shipping	Default if not specified
Cancel if late	If beyond promised date
Refund method	Same as payment (usually)

Disputing Online Purchases

Step	Action
1	Contact seller first
2	Use platform dispute (Amazon, eBay)
3	Credit card chargeback
4	PayPal dispute
5	State AG complaint
6	Small claims court

Key Takeaways

Check credit reports annually - Free at AnnualCreditReport.com
Know your chargeback rights - 60 days to dispute with credit card
Document everything - Receipts, communications, photos
Debt collectors have limits - Know what they can't do
Freeze your credit - Free and effective protection
Warranties have teeth - Implied warranties exist even without written ones
Report fraud - Helps you and prevents future victims
Small claims is accessible - No lawyer needed

Disclaimer: This is educational information, not legal advice. Consumer protection laws vary by state.