Why Do You Need a Consumer Fraud Litigation Attorney?

The American consumer has the right to privacy, fair and lawful business practices, and safe consumer products. When companies place profits before the safety of the consumer, and engage in deceptive marketing, they may be held liable in consumer fraud class action lawsuits. Practices like mislabeling products, or otherwise violating consumer protection laws, are unacceptable betrayals of trust. You can help hold these companies accountable. The Lyon Firm is a highly-rated product liability and consumer safety law firm headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. We represent plaintiffs nationwide in individual claims and consumer safety class action lawsuits. If you need consumer protection representation, contact our offices today at (513) 381-2333 for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.

How Much Is My Consumer Fraud Lawsuit Worth?

Settlements and verdicts for consumer fraud protection cases may include: A refund of the money you were fraudulently charged Compensation for the time spent in discovering, investigating, and dealing with this issue Related remedies, like a year of free identity theft protection New reforms and regulations that help protect you and other consumers going forward A public admission from the company that helps spread awareness of the fraud, and serve as vindication for you and others who were victimized Consumer fraud cases impact large numbers of people across the country. By pursuing a lawsuit for yourself, you can potentially help each and every one of them.

How Long Do Consumer Rights Last?

Implied warranty coverage can last as long as four years depending on state-to-state laws. However, your right to file a lawsuit for consumer fraud has a deadline as well. In Ohio, for example, there is a four-year time limit to bring fraud cases, but only a one-year window for personal injuries resulting from fraud. Warranties are guarantees offered by companies and business proprietors. They can be written, spoken, or implied, and are essentially contracts that are under obligation to be honored. Those guarantees may include a right to repair, replace, or return an item if it is defective, or a refund for services that were unsatisfactory. That being said, warranties often come with fine print, loopholes, and expiration dates. If you discover you have been defrauded or injured due to deceptive marketing, contact a consumer fraud lawyer at The Lyon Firm today who can help you review your rights under the warranty.

What Are the 8 Basic Rights of Consumers?

According to the National Consumer Federation (NCF), consumers have eight basic rights under the law: Basic needs: You have the right to access essential services and products such as food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, water, public utilities, and sanitation. Safety: You have the right to protection from hazardous products or processes (like poison in products or toxic byproducts of manufacturing). Information: Similar to the “informed consent” mandated for healthcare procedures, you have the right to make an informed decision about what you buy, use, or consume. Choice: To prevent inescapable monopolies, you have the right to select from a range of products and services at competitive prices with quality assurances. Representation: This is essentially your right to be heard by your representatives who craft the governing policies over the production of goods and performance of services. Redress: Should your rights be violated, you also have access to judicial redress (aka remedy, repair, or correction)—this includes your ability to sue for compensation regarding shoddy products, unsatisfactory service, or fraudulent misrepresentation. Consumer education: You have the right to acquire any knowledge or skills needed to make an informed decision regarding goods and services, as well as the information needed to act on your rights via the law. Healthy environments: Lastly, you have the right to a non-threatening environment in which to live, work, and prosper. These rights may seem bigger than the topic of consumer protection, but since our basic human needs are all monetized—food, housing, healthcare, and access to legal remedies—consumer protections are truly life-and-death matters. The Lyon Firm has represented consumers from all fifty states in multi-district product liability litigations. We have won cases against some of the largest companies in the world. We are fully prepared to see your case through to the end, and seek justice for as many individuals as possible.

Why File A Class Action?

Class actions are typically filed when the amount of money in dispute for a single plaintiff would not justify the expense of litigating the case, but where the amount of damages of the entire class of plaintiffs would justify the cost of litigation. Basically, it’s more cost-effective to get justice for many at once instead of individually, saving everyone massive amounts of time and effort. Moreover, without class actions, large corporate defendants would be able to cause harm over a large group of individuals without any risk of penalty. These collective cases provide safety in numbers.

Do I Have A Viable Fraud Claim?

If you have lost out financially, or have experienced corporate fraud, you should contact an attorney at the Lyon Firm by calling (513) 381-2333 to investigate further. If you choose to represent a class of plaintiffs in a fraud claim, you may be able to seek compensation for yourself, and help protect fellow consumers as well. In these class-action fraud cases, the success of one representative is a win for all involved.

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Nationwide Success

You have the right to honest business practices, safe products, and personal privacy.

But too often, companies put profits first—and people last. When businesses lie, mislead customers, or break consumer protection laws, it’s not just unfair. It’s illegal.

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At The Lyon Firm, we have helped people stand up to deceptive companies through individual claims and class action lawsuits for nearly two decades. Whether it’s false advertising, unsafe products, or hidden tracking of your personal data, we fight to hold corporations accountable—and get justice for the harm they’ve caused.

We’re a nationally recognized consumer protection law firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio, with experience in over 200 class action cases. If you believe you’ve been the victim of consumer fraud, call us at (513) 381-2333 or fill out our quick online form for a free, confidential consultation.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Joseph Lyon and The Lyon Firm. From the start, Joseph was honest, clear, and always professional. He kept me informed and made sure I understood every step. I felt supported and knew I was in good hands. His dedication and care truly made a difference. I couldn’t have asked for better representation.”

– Issa D. | Client

What Is Consumer Fraud?

Consumer fraud happens when a business or individual uses lies, tricks, or misleading information to get you to spend money, sign up for a service, or give away personal information. It’s a violation of your trust, and in many cases, your legal rights.

Consumer fraud takes many forms. Sometimes it’s a company advertising a product that doesn’t work the way they promised. Other times, it might involve hidden fees, unauthorized charges, or secretly tracking and sharing your personal data without permission.

These actions can cause serious harm. People often lose money, have their identities stolen, or even suffer physical harm if the fraud involves unsafe products or medical devices.

Here are a few common examples of consumer fraud:

A health supplement company claims its product cures medical conditions, but it has no scientific proof.
A financial service charges hidden fees or tricks you into agreeing to terms you didn’t understand.
A company uses tracking software on its website to collect your private health or financial information without telling you.

Fraud can affect just one person, or it can impact thousands of people across the country. In large cases, class action lawsuits help consumers join together to hold companies accountable.

What Are the Different Types of Consumer Fraud?

When a company makes misleading claims about the effectiveness of a product, a consumer fraud lawsuit can be filed. When a company fails to protect an individual’s private information and their security system is breached, a lawsuit can also be filed.

Litigation can also follow invasion of privacy violations, product liability matters, and important financial decisions that are made under false pretenses. The Lyon Firm handles cases in all of the following practice areas:

Billing Fraud: Automatic billing schemes, fraud involving “free trials,” and other recurring charges have a high potential for widespread fraud and abuse. This includes auto payments for health insurance, cable and phone services, cell phone apps, dating sites, gaming portals, and other online services.
Data Misuse: Data misuse is an area of law that grows broader every day with the expansion of the digital marketplace. Web-based companies collect and store your personal data, and often unlawfully sell that data or use it in illegal targeted ads.
Telephone Consumer Protection Violations: Telemarketing lawsuits often involve insurance companies, banks, hotels, debt collection agencies, and various other companies. These involve violating the rules of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which were put in place to protect the consumer from telephone marketing harassment. When companies do not respect a person’s privacy, they may be held liable in multi-million dollar lawsuits.
Mortgage Fraud: Banks that engage in unlawful and unethical mortgage practices can be sued, and rightful compensation may be recovered by plaintiffs. Financial institutions regularly violate fair debt collection practices and engage in mortgage fraud and other financial fraud.
Deceptive Marketing: These lawsuits are filed when companies deceive consumers by mislabeling products or advertising products as something they are not. For example, the dietary supplement industry is full of fraudulent claims that cannot be backed by nutritional evidence. Cannabis and CBD lawsuits are a growing area of litigation as companies promote expansive health benefits without adequate evidence.

This is by no means a comprehensive list. Stem cell fraud, insurance overcharging, and other fair debt collection violations are all suitable causes for legal action and areas where a consumer fraud attorney may be able to help you.

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

What Are the Grounds for a Consumer Fraud Lawsuit?

Knowing if you have a valid case is an important first step. Generally, you may qualify for a case if a company has made false claims or misleading statements about a product or service without any evidence to back them up. Unauthorized charges or hidden fees can also be grounds for a lawsuit.

The key to a successful case is showing that you were harmed. In consumer fraud law, “harm” or “injury” usually means you suffered a financial loss. You may be a victim of consumer fraud if you have:

Unexpected charges on your credit card or bank statements.
A product that doesn’t work as it was advertised.
A drop in your credit score due to something you didn’t do.
Been harmed by a product that was supposed to be safe.
Ordered something that was never delivered.
Been misled by false or confusing claims, warranties, or guarantees.

At The Lyon Firm, we’ve seen firsthand how consumer fraud can disrupt lives, drain savings, and create long-lasting stress. If any of the above examples sound familiar, know that you have legal rights and options.

Reach out to our team online or by calling (513) 381-2333 today to learn more about what steps you can take and how we can help you hold the responsible parties accountable. Your consultation is free, confidential, and there’s no obligation to move forward.

Who Can I Hold Responsible in a Consumer Fraud Lawsuit?

If you’ve been affected by consumer fraud, one of the first steps is figuring out who is legally responsible. This can be more complex than it seems, especially when large companies, multiple sellers, or third-party platforms are involved.

Businesses have a legal duty to be honest about the products and services they offer. When they break that trust by making false claims, hiding important information, or selling something unsafe, they can be held accountable under state and federal consumer protection laws.

Depending on your case, responsible parties may include:

The company that designed, made, or marketed a product.
A retailer or distributor that sold the product or service.
A service provider who gave false or misleading advice.
A business that shared or misused your personal data without your consent.

At The Lyon Firm, we will uncover the full picture of how you were wronged by investigating:

Who created or promoted the product or service?
Was the advertising accurate, or did it leave out key details?
Did the company deliver what was promised, or were there hidden risks or costs?

Finding the right parties to sue is critical to the success of your case. We’ll handle the investigation, work with experts when needed, and build a case that holds the right people or companies accountable for the harm they caused.

Who Is Most At Risk for Consumer Fraud?

The truth is, anyone can be a victim of consumer fraud. These scams are designed to be convincing, and even the most cautious person can be caught off guard. That said, certain groups may be targeted more often because of their age, financial situation, or other personal circumstances.

Factors that can increase your risk include:

Age: Both older adults and younger consumers, like college students, are often targeted, just in different ways.
Debt: People facing financial hardship may be targeted with “debt relief” scams or misleading loan offers.
Impulsivity: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to trick people into acting fast, such as with “limited-time offers” or fake emergencies.
Major life changes: If you’ve recently experienced a job loss, medical crisis, or divorce, you may be more emotionally vulnerable.

Being targeted does not mean you did anything wrong. Fraudulent companies know exactly how to exploit fear, confusion, or hope. You are not to blame.

If you believe you’ve been misled, tricked, or taken advantage of, our consumer fraud lawyers are here to help. We’ll treat your story with respect, take your concerns seriously, and fight to protect your rights. Contact us today online or by calling (513) 381-2333.

What Kinds of Compensation Can a Consumer Fraud Lawyer Help Me Recover?

Settlements and verdicts for consumer fraud protection cases may include:

A refund of the money you were fraudulently charged.
Compensation for the time spent in discovering, investigating, and dealing with this issue.
Related remedies, like a year of free identity theft protection.
New reforms and regulations that help protect you and other consumers going forward.
A public admission from the company that helps spread awareness of the fraud and serves as vindication for you and others who were victimized.

A national survey by Martindale-Nolo found that more than 9 out of 10 people who had legal representation received a settlement or award in their personal injury case, compared to only about half of those who handled the case on their own. While every case is different, having an attorney on your side dramatically improves your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.

Consumer fraud cases can be complex. Proving deceptive practices, calculating losses, and taking on corporate legal teams isn’t something you should have to do alone. At The Lyon Firm, we have the experience and resources to stand up for consumers everywhere.

photo of consumer fraud attorney Joe Lyon

Why Work With the Consumer Fraud Lawyers at The Lyon Firm

Consumers have a multitude of rights and protections in the United States, but that doesn’t keep bad actors from trying to defraud customers. Those rights must be guarded and enforced, and filing a consumer fraud lawsuit is one of the most direct ways to hold such companies accountable.

Joe Lyon has represented individuals nationwide in consumer protection class action cases. These include instances of false advertising, mislabeled food, deceptive advertising, and other forms of fraudulent marketing claims. If you need an attorney who can provide individualized attention even when taking on a large class-action lawsuit, The Lyon Firm has you covered.

Reach out to us today via our online contact form, or by calling (513) 381-2333. Your communications with us are fully confidential, and your consultation is free of charge. You can rest assured that with The Lyon Firm, the service and dedication we promise are as-advertised.

Do I Have a Case?

Consumer Fraud Lawsuit FAQs

Will My Consumer Fraud Case Be Part of a Class Action?

It might be. If you were affected by consumer fraud and other people had a similar experience, your case could become part of a class action. This means your claim would be grouped with others into one larger lawsuit against the company or organization responsible.

Class actions are helpful when a single person’s loss may not be enough to justify a full legal case on its own, but when many people are harmed in the same way, it becomes a much more serious matter. In these cases, it often makes sense to pursue justice together. That way, the process is more efficient, less expensive, and more likely to hold the company fully accountable.

What Are Some Examples Of Consumer Fraud Lawsuits?

Some recent class-action lawsuits that The Lyon Firm investigates include unlawful marketing, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, and elder abuse. Famous examples of fraud cases you may have seen in the news include:

Ponzi schemes, named after Charles Ponzi, are a form of investment fraud. These schemes use funds from new investors to pay existing investors without legitimately investing the money. This is one classic example of a pyramid scheme.
The Big Short, a phrase used to describe the circumstances of the 2008 United States housing bubble crisis and the irresponsible Wall Street investors who behaved as if real estate would only increase in value, never decrease. When the bubble burst, investment banks collapsed, and the funds held by honest consumers were compromised.
The Theranos company, founded by Elizabeth Holmes, was a now-defunct health technology company whose rapid rise in valuation was due to falsely misleading claims about the efficiency and accuracy of blood-testing devices.

These wide-scale fraud cases have the ability to harm the entire country, and class-action lawsuits can help stop them before they cause irreparable harm.

When Should I Contact a Consumer Fraud Lawyer?

If you believe you’ve been misled, overcharged, sold a faulty product, or harmed by false advertising, it’s best to contact a consumer fraud lawyer as soon as possible.

Many consumer protection laws have strict time limits for filing a claim. These are called statutes of limitations, and they vary depending on your state and the details of your case. For example, in Ohio, you generally have up to four years to file a fraud claim. But if you suffered a personal injury as a result of the fraud, you may have only one year to take legal action.

Warranties can also play a role. Some companies offer written or implied guarantees that their products will work as promised. If something goes wrong, those warranties may give you the right to a refund, repair, or replacement. But warranties often have fine print, expiration dates, and loopholes that can be difficult to navigate on your own.

The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better your chances of preserving key evidence and building a strong case.

What Are the Most Common Types of Consumer Fraud?

The most typical forms of consumer fraud include:

Identity theft
Credit and debit card fraud
Mortgage fraud
Interest rate reduction robocalls
Debt collection fraud
Fake charities, prizes, and lottery fraud

A more recent arrival to this rogue’s gallery is COVID-19 scams.