Category Archives: Video

Lemon Law Attorney Exposes Cramming Scam

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Like any other small business owner, California lemon law attorney Kurt Delsack is trying to keep his expenses down, so when he noticed and unauthorized charge on his phone bill, he decided to investigate. The charges came from a third-party billing company called Operated Assistant Network (OAN), and according to Kurt’s investigation, he wasn’t the only person being scammed.

The Federal Communications Commission says about 15 to 20 million households are overcharged on their telephone landlines, costing consumers almost $2 billion a year. Also known as, “cramming”, the overcharges come from third party billing companies for features like voice mail and call waiting. Because these charges are buried within the phone bill only about 5% of households even realize that they are victims.

Don’t become a victim. There is something you can do:

  • Know your phone bill, so you can recognize unusual charges. Most local phone companies require you to opt out or shut off any third party billing, so make sure you contact your phone company to do so.
  • Don’t provide your name, address and phone number for promotions, coupons and sweepstakes without knowing exactly where it’s going. That’s how scammers get your OK to charge you.
  • Contact your phone company right away to dispute any charges you didn’t authorize. You should also contact the third party provider and make sure they are permanently removed from your bill.

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After Kurt talked to Verizon, they reimbursed him for one year of the charges. But now he checks his bill more carefully.

Ford Quality Rating Drops

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Consumer Reports’ 2011 annual car reliability survey, seems to mimic JD Power & Associates annual automobile quality study, by reporting that the overall quality of 2011 vehicles has dropped. Ford, suffering the biggest drop, went from 5th to 23th spot, the biggest drop for any major automaker in Consumer Reports’ 2011 Annual Auto Survey. According to the report, the new Ford Explorer, Fiesta, and Focus all had below average reliability, but the problems were attributed to new technologies like the new MyFord Touch infotainment system and the new automated manual transmission. Chrysler had better results with its new Chrysler 200 (formerly Sebring) sedan, the redesigned Dodge Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. Of the 91 Japanese models for which Consumer Reports collected data, 96%, were rated average or better in predicted reliability. These vehicles, however, offered little in new technology from previous models.

Thailand Floods Affect Auto Production

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Floods in Thailand are threatening to affect automotive production for auto makers and suppliers, such as Toyota, Honda, Ford, Mitsubishi, and Michelin. Work in many of Thailand facilities will be halted through to November 5th, affecting production in Japan, the U.S., Canada, South Africa, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. It is expected that it will take months before the water recedes and residents can start to rebuild. The disaster comes shortly after Japanese car makers return to full production after the March earthquake and Tsunami shut down factories in Japan.

Cadillac Luxury With iPad Technology

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Cadillac hopes to distinguish its luxury brand from others, by offering an in car data, navigation and media system with a touch screen tablet computer. According to Micky Bly, GM’s executive director of global electric systems and infotainment, “The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) will offer a broad range of data and applications beyond what our competitors offer. People have become accustomed to iPhone, iPad and Droid device navigation, that it only makes sense to offer it in our vehicles.”

CUE will pair entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with the CUE system. The system reduces complexity through customized information, natural voice commands, fewer buttons and larger icons. Consumers can store those mobile devices as well as channel the information on those devices, along with your navigation tools, weather maps with Doppler radar, AM/FM and XM radio, instant messages and emails, through a central portal in your Cadillac. This system will allow the driver to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

To improve simplicity and connectivity for consumers, CUE will feature several auto industry firsts:

  • Proximity Sensing: As the user’s hand approaches the elegant, uncluttered LCD screen, command icons appear. Icons can be customized and arranged by consumers to improve ease of use.
  • Haptic Feedback: Buttons on the fully capacitive faceplate pulse when pressed to acknowledge the driver’s commands and keeps the driver’s eyes on the road.
  • Multi-Touch Hand Gestures: interactive motions (tap, flick, swipe and spread) popularized by smartphones and tablets allow tasks on the LCD screen, such as scrolling lists, zooming maps and searching favorites to be easily accomplished.
  • 12.3 in. LCD reconfigurable gauge cluster (on select models) offers four selectable displays – Simple, Enhanced, Balanced and Performance – that can mix traditional vehicle data such as a speedometer and fuel gauge with navigation, entertainment and 3D vehicle image.
  • Natural Speech Recognition: lets consumers speak logically with fewer specific commands to recall stored media or input navigation destinations. CUE’s text-to-speech feature will also allow consumers to receive text messages by system voice and to send recorded text messages in return.
  • Linux operating system, “open source” software platform and ARM 11 3-core processor, each operating at 400 million of instructions (mips) per second. This efficient hardware setup offers 3.5 times more processing power; than current infotainment systems, and allow developers to write applications to CUE that be downloaded by consumers.

CUE will debut in 2012 in the Cadillac XTS and ATS luxury sedans and SRX luxury crossover.

Center Air Bag Protects Drivers In GM Vehicles

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General Motors (GM) has announced a new safety feature designed to protect drivers and front passengers in side impact crashes. This front center air bag deploys from the right side of the driver’s seat and positions itself between the front row seats near the center of the vehicle. It acts as an energy absorbing cushion between the driver and front passenger in both driver and passenger side crashes. The front center airbag will be introduced standard on all 2013 Acadia and 2013 Traverse vehicles with power seats and on all 2013 Enclaves.

The front center air bag is expected to add to the vehicles’ record of third-party crash test performance. The 2012 model year editions of these crossovers vehicles have received five-star Overall and Side Crash safety ratings from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program, and 2011 Top Safety Picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The air bag also is expected to add extra protection during rollovers.

New California Lemon Law For Used Car Buyers

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A new California lemon law bill, signed into law September 28, will give used car buyers more protection than ever before. The law, effective starting July 2012, will require all used and new car dealers to check the vehicle identification number (VIM) against a federal database. This database will have a more comprehensive list than existing commercial services because than law will require all states, insurance companies, salvage yards and junkyards to provide information on vehicles written off in a flood, fire or accident. The system is used by state motor vehicle departments and police, and is open to the public for a small fee.

Flooded Vehicles Complicate The Lemon Law

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Any time there is major flooding in an area, the increase of flood damaged vehicles on the market also increases. Many of these these vehicles have been picked up by “middle men”, who take them to states unaffected by flooding, and unload them. Consumers looking to buy a vehicle may not suspect a vehicle as being flood damaged, and because they have been quickly “unloaded”, obvious sings may not be noticed right away. But, “Water Leaves Lasting Damage!” When problems start to arise, there is no protection for a flooded lemon. As soon as an auto manufacturer knows the vehicle has been flood damaged, it is difficult to get it bought back under the lemon law.

Your best bet is to avoid buying these vehicles all together. Here are a few tips to help you avoid buying a flood damaged vehicle.

  • Moisture and Dirt: Moisture and gritty dirt in lights, the glove compartment, console, under seats and under the hood are a good sign the vehicle has been flooded. Many of these vehicles have been cleaned up and dried out, but missed areas is a good give away.
  • Moldy Smell: Carpets and seats take a long time to dry out and it doesn’t take long for odors to appear. You may also notice fuel and oily smells that may have gotten into flood waters.
  • Mismatched Interior Components: Mismatched components, could be a sign that parts may have been changed in a hurry after the vehicle was pulled from flood waters.
  • Malfunctioning Electrical Devices: The electrical components will be the first thing affected by flood water. Corrosion on connections and water damage on electronic circuit boards could lead to electrical system glitches or systems not working at all.
  • Get The Vehicle Inspected: Even if your don’t suspect the vehicle of flood damage, you should still get the vehicle inspected. A trained technician knows what to look for and will notice anything odd about the vehicle.
  • Get The Vehicles History Report: Finding a vehicles history report is as easy as entering the vehicle identification number (VIN), but it is not a guarantee the vehicle has not suffered water damage. Look for signs that the car has recently been titled in multiple states, especially if it has been recently titled out of flood areas or into areas where damage disclosures don’t exist.

If you suspect a vehicle has been involved in a flood, “Don’t Buy It!”. It could take a while before problems start to show up, and the price of replacement costs not covered under warranty could far outweigh the “great deal” you got when you purchased the vehicle.

How To Choose The best Lemon Law Firm

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California lemon law specialist Kurt Delsack gives some pointers on how to find the best lemon law attorney. The most important decision in winning your lemon law case is choosing the right attorney. Many law firms offer lemon law services, but only experienced lawyers dedicated to the lemon law will be able to resolve your case fast and efficiently. The law offices of Delsack & Associated have been around since 1987 and are dedicated exclusively to the practice of the California lemon law. If you are in California and think you have a lemon vehicle call 1.888.ExLemon (888.395.3666) or fill and submit the lemon law form and see if you qualify under California’s lemon law.