"Today's consumer marketplace is complex and full of potholes, even for those of us with all the necessary skills and advantages. For unsuspecting low-income consumers it's far more treacherous - even the smallest misstep can lead to financial ruin and a sense of hopelessness that paralyzes individual progress."
National Consumer Law Center
You can find additional materials on consumer law by browsing the library shelves near the listed books or by searching the library catalog.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
SELF HELP By Topic
Automobile
Automobile Fraud: Odometer Tampering, Lemon Laundering, and Concealment of Salvage or Other Adverse History KF 2036.A8 S535 Self Help
This manual provides the practitioner with everything needed to obtain rescission, treble damages, $1500 statutory damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees for numerous types of automobile frauds.
Return to Sender: Getting a Refund or Replacement for Your Lemon Car
KF 2036 .A8 B37 Self Help
Return to Sender is a guide on how to return a defective vehicle to the manufacturer. Every state provides consumers with the right to a refund or replacement vehicle when a new (and in some cases used) car has substantial uncorrected defects. This book provides practical advice on how consumers can successfully enforce this right through state lemon law, either on their own or with the help of a lawyer.
Money, Banking, Credit
Consumer Banking and Payments Law: Credit, Debit, & Stored Value Cards, Checks, Money Orders, E-Sign, Electronic Banking and Benefit Payments
KF 974 .B73
This book from the National Consumer law Center discusses the revolutionary changes in electronic banking and debit card use; how bank accounts work in the 21st century, and provides the latest on money orders, international wires, and stored value cards.
Electronic Access: On the law library computers using the NCLC Companion Website.
Credit Discrimination KF 1040 .L54 Self Help
This book contains over 40 sample complaints, discovery documents, attorney fee documents, expert reports, key recent U.S. Dept. of Justice complaints and consent orders, and all key federal laws, regulations, and agency interpretations.
Electronic Access: On the law library computers using the NCLC Companion Website.
Fair Debt Collection KF 1024 .H63 Self Help
Consumer and commercial attorneys rely on Fair Debt Collection for the latest thinking and definitive analyses of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the statute that governs how collection agencies and attorneys can collect consumer debts.
Electronic Access: On the law library computers using the NCLC Companion Website.
Foreclosures: Defenses, Workouts, and Mortgage Servicing KF 697.F6 R36 Self Help
This manual details legal rights, tactics, and informal approaches to saving homes from seizure.
Electronic Access: On the law library computers using the NCLC Companion Website.
The Cost of Credit: Regulation, Preemption, and Industry Abuses KF 1040 .R457
Analyzes consumer credit regulation in all 50 states and federal regulation, including points, refinancing, and RESPA requirements. Discusses how to challenge excessive credit charges, credit insurance, equity-skimming, and loan flipping.
Electronic Access: On the law library computers using the NCLC Companion Website.
The National Consumer Law Center Guide to Surviving Debt KF 1040.Z9 L66 Self Help
This book explains the rights of consumer borrowers with advice that levels the playing field. This edition contains strategies on dealing with debt collectors; saving a home or car; which debts to pay first; and common mistakes consumers make that can actually get them into even more trouble, and managing credit card debt.
Warranty
Consumer Warranty Law: Lemon Law, Magnuson-Moss, UCC, Mobile Home, and Other Warranty Statutes KF 919.C6 C37 Self Help
This book offers the most thorough and up-to-date treatment of the key advantages of using the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 14 ways to defeat warranty disclaimers, and 10 ways to avoid contractual limitation on remedies. Includes sample pleadings.
Electronic Access: On the law library computers using the NCLC Companion Website.
LEGAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS and LAW SUMMARIES
California Jurisprudence (CalJur 3d) KFC 80.C35
Vol. 13A, Consumer and Borrower Protection Laws
Witkin Summary Of California Law 10th Ed. KFC 80 .W57
Look in the index using the term "consumer" to find information on specific types of consumer law issues.
Electronic Access: On the law library computers, using Westlaw.
IN DEPTH RESEARCH
California Forms of Pleading and PracticeKFC 1010 .A65C3
Vol. 12, Chapter 127, Consumer Contracts and Loans
Vol. 12, Chapter 128, Consumer Contracts: Specific Types
Vol. 12, Chapter 129, Consumer Credit Reporting
Vol. 44, Chapters 501, 502, 503, 504, 505 Sales
Look in the index using the term "consumer" to find information on specific types of consumer law issues.
Electronic Access: On the law library computers, using the LexisNexis CD.
SPECIALIZED TEXTS
Consumer Action HandbookKF 1040 .C87
This everyday guide to being a smart shopper is full of helpful tips about buying a car or home, preventing identity theft, understanding credit, resolving problems after a purchase, and much more.
A searchable version of this handbook is available online at www.consumeraction.gov .
Consumer Credit Compliance Manual KF 1040 .F66
The manual describes how using a form in a financial or commercial institution ensures compliance with the consumer credit statutes and regulations involved. This resource contains a compendium of documents, publications, practice-tested forms, instructions, procedures, and descriptive materials—contributed by more than 100 banks, banking associations, credit organizations, governmental agencies, and attorneys.
Consumer Credit Law Manual KF 1040 .C638
Provides complete coverage of consumer credit transactions, including: truth in lending, high rate home equity loan protections, consumer leasing, rent-to-own transactions, unfair and deceptive credit practices, credit discrimination, student loans and trade school abuses, the cost of credit, fair debt collection, garnishment and exemptions, repossession, and fair credit reporting.
Consumer Law: Sales Practices and Credit RegulationKF 1040 .A74
Provides information on protecting the rights of the consumer on both the state and federal level. Includes topics such as mass media advertising, statutory regulation, warranties, consumer credit, truth in lending, credit reports, and debt collection. Also deals in part with the existing laws that regulate telephone solicitations.
Handling Consumer Credit Cases KF 1040 .F46
This multivolume resource provides a transactional approach to the law and explains the impact of each law as it affects consumer credit. Contains the history of new and revised credit statutes and regulations, as well as official text and in-depth analyses of developing consumer credit areas, including truth-in-lending, consumer leasing, electronic funds transfers, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act litigation, and credit cards.
Truth-In-Lending Manual KF 1040 .C54
A comprehensive, practical guide to Truth-In-Lending, Regulation Z, and Regulation M compliance. This two-volume reference offers clear analysis of the law, practical guidance for complying with regulations, and assistance in drafting forms and developing procedures that comply with truth-in-lending requirements.
WEB SITES
Better Business Bureau
http://www.bbb.org/
The BBB reports provide information on over 2.5 million organizations. It's a good idea to check this website before investing or giving. Complaints can be filed online and the BBB will contact the organization to help resolve the issue. The website also contains security alerts; email fraud alerts; and business and consumer tips.
California Department of Consumer Affairs
http://www.dca.ca.gov/
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is here to protect and serve California consumers while ensuring a competent and fair marketplace. DCA helps consumers learn how to protect themselves from unscrupulous and unqualified individuals.
Consumer Action Website
http://www.consumeraction.gov/
This website from the Federal Citizen Information Center will help solve a consumer question or problem. All of the information available in the Consumer Action Handbook is available online. Includes consumer topics, sample complaint letters, and a complete resource directory for consumer sources.
Consumer World
www.consumerworld.org
Consumer World is a public service website with links to hundreds of consumer resources available on the Internet. The website contains consumer news, product reviews and shopping bargains. Directories provide contact information and web links for many corporations and government agencies.
Federal Citizen Information Center
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/
The official federal website is a great source for consumer information from the federal government. The free Consumer Information Catalog lists more than 200 free and low-cost publications on topics such as cars, child care, education, federal benefits, money management, food, health, housing, and travel.
National Consumer Law Center
http://www.consumerlaw.org/
The National Consumer Law Center is America's consumer law expert, helping consumers, their advocates, and public policy makers to use powerful consumer laws to build financial security and assure marketplace justice for vulnerable individuals and families.
COMPLAINTS
Better Business Bureau
https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/GetStarted.aspx
File a complaint against a business using the BBB online complaint process.
California Department of Consumer Affairs
http://www.dca.ca.gov/online_services/complaints/citizen_complaint.shtml
File a complaint against a professional or business using an online form or by mailing in a completed complaint form. Information available in Spanish.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Better Business Bureau of Northeast California
400 S Street (916) 443-6843
www.necal.bbb.org
Complaints between buyers and sellers can be submitted by letter or on Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaint forms.
Consumer Information Center
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N112 (916) 445-1254 No walk-in access.
www.dca.ca.gov
Responds to inquiries on consumer protection issues, information and education on consumer problems, complaint filing assistance, referrals in non-bureau issues, licensing professions and businesses.
Public Inquiry Unit
P.O. Box 944255 (916) 445-9555 – Recording (800) 952-5225 - Toll Free (CA only)
www.ag.ca.gov
Primary public access window to the Attorney General's office. Assists in answering questions on a wide variety of issues ranging from consumer fraud to public safety. Serves as a centralized office for consumer complaints and requests for information.
updated 05/27/2011 rmm