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Buying & Owning a Car

FTC Announces Auto Buyers Study Reports

July 31, 2020
by
Jim Kreidler
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Many of us depend on our cars — for work, errands, shuttling kids, and visiting loved ones. Maybe we love the freedom and convenience cars give us — but many of us find the car-buying process frustrating because of sales and financing practices. The Federal Trade Commission released two reports highlighting some of the challenges people face while buying and financing cars — especially when it comes to charges for add-on items after price negotiations, which can lead people to pay more than expected. 

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Blog Topics: 
Money & Credit, Buying & Owning a Car, Resolving Consumer Problems

Getting stimulus checks from car dealerships? Nope.

June 17, 2020
by
Jim Kreidler
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

During these difficult economic times, scammers will do almost anything to try to get your money. Including, it turns out, making bogus claims about economic stimulus checks to lure customers to auto sales events.

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Blog Topics: 
Money & Credit, Buying & Owning a Car

Behind on car payments because of the Coronavirus?

April 15, 2020
by
Amy Hebert
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Are you worried that you won’t be able to make your next car payment because you’ve lost your job or income because of the Coronavirus? Or are you already behind on your payments? You’re not alone. Here’s what you can do.

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Blog Topics: 
Money & Credit, Buying & Owning a Car

Do you have a 2012, 2013, or 2014 VW Passat TDI?

November 5, 2018
by
Lesley Fair
Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

If you have a 2012, 2013, or 2014 Passat 2.0L TDI and got the approved emissions modification, Volkswagen has identified a potential problem with the “fix” it installed on your car that needs your immediate attention. If you have one of those vehicles but haven’t gotten the modification, you must make an important decision very soon. You’ll be getting a detailed letter in the mail from VW about this, but in the meantime, here are some key facts.

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Blog Topics: 
Money & Credit, Buying & Owning a Car

What we heard: military consumer financial issues

July 25, 2017
by
Nat Wood
Associate Director, Consumer & Business Education, FTC

When you want to know what’s going on with a group, you go directly to the source, right? That’s exactly what the FTC did last week when it held a Military Consumer Financial Workshop in San Antonio, Texas. The day’s purpose was to take a look at the financial issues and scams that can affect military consumers – active duty servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

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Blog Topics: 
Money & Credit, Buying & Owning a Car, Credit and Loans, Dealing with Debt

VW settles over false green claims for 3.0 liter diesel cars

February 1, 2017
by
Nat Wood
Associate Director, Consumer & Business Education, FTC

Today, the FTC announced a settlement with Volkswagen over 3.0 liter diesel cars the company claimed had low levels of harmful emissions, but did not. The settlement affects more than 77,000 cars made by VW, Audi or Porsche. These cars were not covered by the settlement announced last year, which covered similar false advertising for VW and Audi 2.0 liter diesel cars.

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Blog Topics: 
Money & Credit, Buying & Owning a Car

Manuel avoids car-buying trouble [fotonovela]

January 22, 2016
by
Alvaro Puig
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Manuel and his wife just found the perfect minivan!  They can’t wait to take it home and surprise the kids. But first, there’s the issue of how to pay for it. The dealer financing seems like a good deal, so they go for it. A few days later, the dealer calls to tell Manuel the financing deal fell through. He says Manuel has to accept a new, more expensive deal or he’ll lose the minivan. What will Manuel do?

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Blog Topics: 
Money & Credit, Buying & Owning a Car