Have you been lured to a car dealership by an advertised vehicle at a great price, only to be told it was “just sold” or “not available” when you arrived?
Were you then pressured into buying a different car at a higher price?
You may be a victim of a car dealership bait and switch scam – and you have legal rights.
The Painful Reality of Bait & Switch Car Scams
Every year, thousands of California consumers fall victim to deceptive car dealership practices.
These bait and switch tactics aren’t just frustrating – they’re illegal and can cost you thousands of dollars.
The consequences of falling victim to these scams include:
- Paying significantly more than you intended or budgeted for
- Being locked into predatory financing with excessive interest rates
- Purchasing unnecessary warranty programs or add-ons under pressure
- Signing contracts with hidden fees and junk charges
- Driving away with a completely different vehicle than you came for
- Feeling embarrassed, taken advantage of, and powerless
Why Bait & Switch Car Scams Are Getting Worse
The car buying process should be straightforward, but dishonest dealerships have perfected their deceptive tactics to extract more money from unsuspecting buyers.
Consumer Reports and the Federal Trade Commission have documented how these practices have become increasingly sophisticated.
When a dealership advertises a specific car at an attractive offering price, then claims it’s unavailable while steering you toward higher-priced alternatives, they’re violating state and federal consumer protection laws.
Many California car buyers don’t realize these practices are actually illegal.
The Real Cost of Bait & Switch Tactics
The financial impact of these scams extends far beyond the advertised price versus the actual price you paid.
Immediate Financial Damage:
- Huge down payments that weren’t in your budget
- Monthly payments hundreds of dollars higher than discussed
- Unexpected and unnecessary fees that can add thousands to your total
- Overpriced add-ons you were pressured into accepting
Long-Term Financial Damage:
- Higher interest rates that cost thousands over the loan term
- Extended warranties that duplicate manufacturer’s warranty coverage
- Negative equity that makes it impossible to trade or sell the vehicle
- Damaged credit if the inflated payments become unaffordable
Americans set aside hard-earned savings for vehicle purchases, only to have dealers extract thousands more through deceptive practices.
Many buyers report being routinely hit with $3,000-$5,000 in additional costs above the advertised price.
How Dealerships Get Away With Bait and Switch
Car dealerships have perfected their switch tactics to appear legitimate while violating consumer protection laws. Their strategies include:
- Advertising vehicles they have no intention of selling at the listed price
- “Just sold” excuses when you arrive to see an advertised vehicle
- Hiding key information about the vehicle’s condition or history
- Using high-pressure sales tactics to rush you through the process
- Focusing on monthly payments instead of the total payment amount
- Adding junk fees after you’ve agreed upon terms
- Making verbal promises that contradict what’s in the contract
- Holding you hostage in the dealership for hours until you give in
- Claiming computer “errors” changed the agreed-upon price
- Switching paperwork after you’ve already signed initial documents
These practices aren’t just unethical – they’re illegal.
While the FTC continues working on a new rule to prohibit exploitative junk fees and protect honest dealers, you don’t have to wait for regulatory action to fight back.
How We Fight for California Car Buyers Who Were Victim to Bait & Switch
Taking on a car dealership alone is nearly impossible.
Their contracts are designed with confusing language, and they have experienced legal teams ready to dismiss your complaints.
The red flags of deceptive practices are often hard to prove without specialized legal knowledge.
That’s where Consumer Action Law Group comes in.
Our auto fraud attorneys specialize exclusively in helping you avoid falling victim to these practices and holding dishonest car dealerships accountable.
We’ve recovered over $25 million for California consumers who have been victimized by deceptive car selling practices, including bait and switch scams.
Our approach includes:
- Thorough Case Investigation – We meticulously document every aspect of your car buying experience, gathering evidence of the bait and switch tactics used against you.
- Powerful Legal Strategy – We leverage our deep knowledge of California’s Auto Sales Finance Act, the Vehicle Code, and federal consumer protection laws to build your case.
- Aggressive Representation – We don’t just file complaints – we take legal action with the goal of getting your money back and holding the dealership accountable.
- Negotiation Expertise – Our attorneys know exactly how to counter the dealership’s defenses and fight for maximum compensation.
Trial-Ready Preparation – While most cases settle, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, strengthening your position for a favorable settlement.
Our Comprehensive Bait & Switch Legal Services
We handle all aspects of bait and switch car dealership fraud, including:
Misrepresented Vehicle Advertisements
When dealerships advertise vehicles they don’t actually have or never intended to sell at the advertised price, they violate California and federal law. Our attorneys document these false advertisements and hold dealerships accountable when you’re lured in by a specific car only to be told it’s “just sold” or “unavailable” when you arrive.
Hidden Fee Disputes
Dealerships that add junk fees to your contract after agreeing on a price are breaking the law. Whether labeled as “documentation fees,” “processing charges,” or other official-sounding terms, many of these fees are pure profit with no value to you. We identify illegal fee structures and help recover these improper charges that can add thousands to your purchase price.
Finance Manipulation Cases
When dealerships quote one interest rate during negotiations then switch to higher rates in the final contract, they’re committing finance fraud. We specialize in cases where buyers were approved at one rate, only to be told later that financing “fell through” requiring a higher rate. Our team documents original terms and fights for compensation when dealerships manipulate your financing.
Contract Cancellation
Sometimes the best solution is getting out of a fraudulent car contract entirely. Our attorneys specialize in contract rescission that voids the transaction and gets your money back. California law provides several pathways to cancel auto purchase contracts, allowing you to recover your down payment, monthly payments made, and release you from future obligations.
Auto Dealer Misrepresentation
False claims about a vehicle’s condition, accident history, mileage, or features create specific legal liability under California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act. Our team works with automotive experts to document misrepresentations about everything from undisclosed accident damage to non-existent features that influenced your purchase decision.
Predatory Lending Practices
Many car dealers profit more from financing than vehicle sales, leading to predatory practices like marked-up interest rates, unnecessarily extended loan terms, and packed contracts with overpriced add-ons. We identify violations of lending regulations and help clients escape exploitative auto loans while recovering excessive charges.
Undisclosed Damage or History
Dealerships must disclose material facts about a vehicle’s history that affect its value, including previous accidents, flood damage, rental use, or lemon law returns. When dealers conceal these facts, we work with vehicle history experts to uncover and document the truth, helping clients recover substantial damages for these serious violations.
Our Simple Process to Get You Justice
Working with our auto fraud attorneys is straightforward:
Free Consultation
Explain your situation to our specialized attorneys who will evaluate your case at no cost. During this initial meeting, we’ll listen carefully to your experience, answer your questions about the legal process, and give you a clear assessment of your case’s strength and potential compensation.
Case Building
We gather documentation, including advertisements, contracts, and communications with the dealership. Our thorough investigation includes collecting evidence of the original advertised vehicle, analyzing your purchase contract for hidden fees or terms that differ from what was promised, and documenting all interactions with the dealership.
Legal Strategy
We develop a customized approach based on the specific bait and switch tactics used in your case. Each car dealership scam requires different legal strategies, so we tailor our approach to target the particular violations in your situation while maximizing your potential recovery under California consumer protection laws.
Representation
We handle all communications and legal proceedings with the dealership and their attorneys. Once we take your case, you’ll never need to speak with the dealership again—we become your shield, handling all negotiations, court filings, and legal proceedings while keeping you informed at every stage.
Resolution
We fight for maximum compensation, including refunds, contract cancellation, and damages where applicable. Our goal is always to make you whole again, whether that means recovering your down payment and monthly payments, canceling a fraudulent contract, or securing additional damages for particularly egregious dealer misconduct.
Recent Settlements We Have Won For Clients!
Testimonials
Our California Office
Don’t Let Car Dealerships Get Away With Bait & Switch Tactics
The best bet against predatory car dealerships is taking prompt legal action. Every day you wait allows the dealership to continue these practices and makes your case potentially more difficult to prove.
If you’ve been a victim of car dealership bait and switch tactics in California, contact Consumer Action Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our specialized auto fraud attorneys will evaluate your case, explain your rights, and help you fight back against deceptive dealership practices.
Call us now at (818) 254-8413 or fill out our simple online form to get started. You don’t have to face this alone.
