When Do You Need a WV Consumer Rights Law Firm?
State and federal laws protect American consumers from the harms caused by predatory, improper, or negligent practices in various financial transactions. If you believe you have been treated unlawfully as a West Virginia (WV) consumer, you should contact a reputable WV consumer rights law firm to evaluate the remedies available to you for compensation under the law.
How a WV Consumer Rights Law Firm Can Help
Consumer protections cover a large span of financial transactions and consumer interests from data breaches and identity theft to lemon laws for used motor vehicle sales. These laws also regulate the practices of lenders and prohibit certain invasive and unlawful activities by debt collectors. If you believe your personal rights have been infringed upon, a consumer protection attorney is best suited to help you determine your next best steps.
Federal Laws and the WV Consumer Credit and Protection Act
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Truth in Lending Act are two of the significant pieces of federal law that exist to protect consumers from predatory practices. The WV Consumer Credit and Protection Act, more commonly called the WV Consumer Protection Act, covers issues related to debt and credit as well, but also has a larger scope for protection of the state’s residents.
The WV Consumer Protection Act sets forth the lawful and acceptable treatment of WV consumers related to:
- Breaches of personal information
- Lending practices and finance charges
- The sale of new and used motor vehicles
- Acceptable practices by credit servicing organizations
- The sale and lease of assistive devices for persons with disabilities
- Telemarketing practices
- Email protections
- Electronic transactions
- Price gouging
- Identity theft
Procedures and Penalties under the WV Consumer Protection Act
Article five of the WV Consumer Protection Act lays out the civil liabilities and criminal penalties for violations of the law as well as the responsibilities of consumers when making a complaint. Under WV Code § 46A-5-108, the consumer must provide a creditor or debt collector with the “right to cure.” This means the alleged offender must be notified in writing of the asserted claim or claims and given an opportunity to correct the harm or counter the allegations.
The right to cure and the responsibilities of the consumer to proceed in a specific manner when pursuing claims under the WV Consumer Protection Act illustrate the need for an experienced WV attorney for credit issues or other related matters. Failure to proceed with a complaint or claim in accordance with the law can be a costly mistake, especially at a time when you are trying to recover from financial adversity.
The Law Offices of Kelly R. Reed: Your WV Consumer Rights Law Firm
If you have been financially harmed by wrongdoing or negligence in a consumer matter, you need a WV consumer rights law firm that will fight for you. At the Law Offices of Kelly R. Reed, we take on banks, credit unions, debt collectors, and anyone who takes advantage of consumers in an unlawful way. We don’t hesitate to challenge offenders with big names and deep pockets. Contact us today to see how we can help you. Call 304-292-2020 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.