Federal and state regulations have been adopted to protect buyers from deceitful or illegal selling practices.  These laws cover: motor vehicle sales and repairs, home solicitation selling, home improvement contracts, and other areas.  Here is a sampling of some of the protection laws:

1. Unsolicited credit cards
This law prohibits the issuance of unsolicited credit cards.

2. Fair Credit Reporting Act
Credit reporting agencies must obtain certifications from people who use credit reports, provide consumers access to credit records, provide consumers with the right to dispute information contained in the records, and reinvestigate any disputed information upon the consumer's request. Credit-granting organizations are required to disclose the reasons for denial of credit.

3. Equal Credit Opportunity Act
This prohibits discrimination in the granting of credit on the basis of sex or marital status. Credit-granting organizations are prohibited from requiring the signature of a spouse on a credit application except when needed to create a valid lien.

4. Warranties
A warranty establishes your right to have product defects fixed at no charge.  If your product is accompanied by a warranty the dealer is required to give you a copy of it.  All warranties must be labeled as either “full" or "limited." Under a "full" warranty, the dealer/manufacturer is given a reasonable number of chances to fix defects but then must allow you to choose a full refund or a replacement without charge. A "full" warranty applies to anyone who owns the product during the warranty period. Few "full" warranties are given. The refund or replacement rights do not exist under "limited" warranties. Most warranties are "limited."  Missouri has an Unfair Practices Act that gives you additional rights for breach of warranty or for other deceptive trade practices. This Act offers consumers strong protection against defective products.

5. Motor Vehicle “Lemon” Law
If you bought a new vehicle, you might be able to cancel the purchase if you bought it from a dealer. If a defect substantially impairs the value of the item, you must notify the dealer and give them a reasonable number of chances to fix it. Within a reasonable time, you must notify the dealer that you are canceling the purchase and must return the item without substantial change to it. Missouri has a "lemon law" that allows you to cancel the purchase of a "lemon" motor vehicle in some circumstances.

6. Truth in Lending
This requires disclosure of credit costs and contract provisions. It also gives you a three-day right to cancel any credit sales which takes place at your residence.

7. F.T.C. Door-to-Door Rule
This regulation creates a three-day rescission right for any contract on credit and cash sales of $25 or more which take place away from the seller's regular place of business. Door-to-door contracts are required to contain a bold faced notice of the cancellation right.

If you have questions regarding Missouri’s Consumer Protection Laws, or if you would like to report a consumer fraud, contact The Consumer Protection Hotline of the Office of the Attorney General of Missouri 1-800-392-8222.