Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices: Consumer Protection

When you buy something, you expect a fair deal. 

You expect the dealership that sells you your car didn’t lie about the mileage or condition. 

You expect whoever promises to repair your home or vehicle will do a good job and not lie to you about the need for those repairs. 

That’s because business requires trust. And when a company undermines that trust by lying or deceiving customers, Texas law can deliver serious consequences for the company and significant relief for the customer. 

Often times these claims fall under what’s called the Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (DTPA). This set of laws was passed in the 1970’s to help protect consumers and punish companies that employ shady business practices. Examples include:

• Bait-and-switch (advertising one thing, then selling another)

• Lying or failing to disclose facts related to a contract or purchase

• Lying about the need for repair services

• Lying about the performance of repair services

• Charging for repairs or parts that were not actually performed or installed

• Failing to honor a warranty

• Selling used products as “new”

• False or deceptive advertising for a product or service

Although the DTPA can provide significant relief, each case is unique. Sometimes other laws may apply which could help compensate you. That’s why we thoroughly examine each one of these cases in the beginning to make sure we provide every legal option available.