{"id":352483,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer.html"},"modified":"2025-05-19T12:38:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T17:38:52","slug":"consumer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer.html","title":{"rendered":"Consumer Protection Law"},"content":{"rendered":"
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  1. \n FindLaw <\/a>\n \/<\/span>\n <\/li>\n
  2. Consumer Protection Law<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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    Consumer Protection Law<\/h1>\n

    Consumer protection is an umbrella term covering a group of laws and organizations that protect the rights of consumers. These laws foster the free flow of accurate information in the marketplace.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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    \n Find a Qualified Attorney Near You\n <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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    Find a Qualified Attorney Near You<\/h2>\n \n Search by legal issue and\/or location\n <\/p>\n \n Enter information in one or both fields. (Required)\n <\/p>\n
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    \n \n Find a Lawyer\n <\/h3>\n
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    \n \n Legal Issue<\/label>\n
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    \n \n \n \n Name Search\n <\/a>\n <\/li>\n \n \n Browse Legal Issues\n <\/a>\n <\/li>\n \n \n Browse Law Firms\n <\/a>\n <\/li>\n \n \n Support\n <\/a>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/i>\n <\/button>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n
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    Consumer Protection Involves Everyday Issues and Threats<\/h2>\n

    A consumer is anyone who acquires goods or services for direct use or ownership. Consumer protection laws are designed to prevent businesses from engaging in fraud or unfair practices. They help protect individuals from scam artists and identity thieves. Common issues are identity theft, sales contracts, lemon laws, travel, and fraud. All consumers should learn how to manage a credit score, read the fine print on a gift card, and understand the importance of choosing a secure email password. It’s also important to know when the law is on your side and when to contact an attorney to help you enforce your rights.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n\n

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    \n <\/i>\n \n Consumer Transactions<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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    \n \n Buying Goods Overview\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Buying a Pet\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Buying Plans and Subscriptions\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Canceling a Sale: The Cooling Off Period\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Consumer Warranty Basics\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Product Warranties and Returns<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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    \n <\/i>\n \n Online Scams <\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Consumer Scams FAQ\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Is It Safe to Post Photos of Your Kids Online?\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Email Privacy Concerns\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Federal Data Privacy Laws\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Privacy and Online Shopping\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Online Safety Tips<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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    \n <\/i>\n \n Identity Theft<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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    \n \n Identity Theft and Obamacare\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Detecting Identity Theft\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Stolen Identity: What To Do\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Identity Theft Enforcement & Restitution Act\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n What Is Identity Theft Insurance?\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Tips to Help Protect Your Identity<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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    \n <\/i>\n \n Securities Law<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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    \n \n Proving Securities Fraud\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Securities Law FAQ\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Responsibilities of Investors and Brokers\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Securities Class Action Lawsuits\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Securities Litigation Claims\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Securities Law Basics<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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    \n <\/i>\n \n Consumer Insurance Law<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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    \n \n Annuities\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Business Insurance\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Car Insurance\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Buying Insurance Overview\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Credit Insurance\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n What Is an Insurance Deductible?<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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    \n <\/i>\n \n Lemon Law<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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    \n \n Auto Dealer Fraud\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Car Ads: Reading Between the Lines\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Buying or Leasing a Car\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Car Inspection Laws\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Car Repair Laws\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Buying a Car Basics<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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    \n <\/i>\n \n Travel Rules & Rights<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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    \n \n Carry On Items, Luggage & Security Screening\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Air Travel Rules FAQ\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Airlines & Unaccompanied Minors\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n How To File a Complaint Against an Airline\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n How To Resolve Disputes While Traveling \n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Hotel and Rental Car Rules<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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    \n <\/i>\n \n Consumer Financial Protections<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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    \n \n Bank Records and Financial Privacy Laws\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Bad Faith Insurance: Claims and Denials\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Debt Relief Providers and Debt\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Canceling a Contract\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Gift Cards\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Banking and Credit Concerns<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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    \n <\/i>\n \n Credit Cards<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
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    \n \n Credit Repair\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Credit Repair Organizations Act\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n How To Manage Your Credit Score\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Am I Liable for Unauthorized Credit Card Charges?\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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    \n \n Can I Sue a Free Credit Report Company?\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Equal Credit Opportunity Act<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
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    State Laws Protect Consumer Rights<\/h2>

    Learning about your consumer rights within your state is the first step in determining whether you have a possible legal claim. Use the state map or dropdown menu below to select your state:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \n Show All States<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/button>\n