NCJ Number
79229
Date Published
1981
Length
451 pages
Annotation
This book for lawyers and students introduces the major problems and issues in consumer protection law and summarizes the significant legal rules and principles that govern this area. The emphasis is on what the law is as of August 1, 1980.
Abstract
The text explains consumer transaction law and explains how it is enforced (i.e., through private and administrative actions). Consumer laws regarding advertising fraud and fraudulent sales practices are delineated, and the various types of credit arrangements available to consumers (installment/noninstallment, vendor/lender, etc.) are described. State and Federal law, as well as common law, regarding the use of credit reports are discussed, and discrimination in the issuance of credit is examined under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Federal and State legislation concerning disclosure terms of consumer credit transactions is cited, with attention to the requirements and enforcement authority of the Federal Truth in Lending Act. The history, need for, and problems with rate regulations are reviewed, and the regulation of credit insurance, balloon payments in installment loans, warranties, and other terms of consumer transaction is examined. Posttransaction problems in the assignment of credit accounts to financiers regarding consumer defenses during credit card transactions, in electronic funds transfer, in case of default, and regarding billing problems and prepayment are also addressed. Footnotes and a few tables are included along with an index. Numerous cases are cited.