(1-800-MY-LEMON), Philadelphia’s largest lemon law firm, is proud to announce that Philadelphia has passed a new law covering the sale of used cars. The Philadelphia Used Car Lemon Law, sponsored by Councilman Darrell L. Clarke, was signed by Mayor Nutter on July 2, 2008.

The used car lemon law protects purchasers of used cars in Philadelphia by giving them the opportunity to have their used car inspected by a licensed mechanic with 72 hours of purchase. If a defect is discovered, the purchaser has the right to seek a full refund from the selling dealer.

The Philadelphia Used Car Lemon Law is a benefit to consumers since the Pennsylvania Lemon Law only covered the sale of new cars, and does not apply to used cars.

Congratulations to Mayor Nutter, Councilman Darrell L. Clarke, Lance Haver at the Consumer Affairs Office, and the City of Philadelphia, for giving used car buyers greater rights.

David J. Gorberg & Associates, 1-800-MY-LEMON, Philadelphia’s largest lemon law firm, are thrilled with the passage of this new law!

Below is a summary of the Philadelphia Used Car Lemon Law:

1. A purchaser of a used vehicle may return the vehicle within 72 hours after purchase if it is:

a. Unable to pass safety or emission inspection; or

b. Is found by a certified inspection mechanic to have an undisclosed major structural defect. *mechanic must do so in writing.

2. Upon return of any such vehicle the dealer shall within 10 days either repair the vehicle at the dealers own expense; or refund all moneys paid for such vehicle.

3. Dealers must also provide a copy of any written warranty to the purchaser within fifteen (15) days of payment for the warranty, and shall perform the repairs set forth in the warranty promptly upon presentation of the warrantied vehicle for repair. At the time of purchase, the dealer shall disclose to the purchaser, in writing in large capital letters, whether the warranty is provided by the dealer, the manufacturer or a third party.

4. Office of Consumer Affairs will take complaints and determine their merit. L&I will thereafter issue citations and enforce. If you purchased a used car and feel the dealer is not upholding their responsibilities, contact the Philadelphia Office of Consumer Affairs at 215-686-7598

5. 1st offense is a Code Violation Notice (CVN). (accrues each day issue not rectified); Repeat offense may result in suspension or revocation of the dealer’s Automobile Sales License and/or Business Privilege License.

David J. Gorberg has arbitrated, settled and litigated thousands of Pennsylvania lemon law claims to date, recovering millions of dollars for it’s clients. Mr. Gorberg along with his associates at David J. Gorberg & Associates practice lemon law across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Firm has become a household name throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey as a result of it’s extensive TV, Radio and Billboard advertising, and use of it’s famous 1-800-MY-LEMON jingle.

David J. Gorberg & Associates is the largest lemon law firm in Philadelphia and one of the most successful lemon law firms in country. The firm’s offices are located in Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh PA and Marlton, New Jersey. Mr. Gorberg can be reached at 1-800 MY LEMON (1-800-695-3666) or by visiting the David J. Gorberg & Associates website at http://www.mylemon.com

Attorney General Tom Corbett urged Pennsylvanians to review information about a recent legal settlement which could give consumers across the country access to a free version of their credit score.

Corbett explained that one of the major U.S. credit bureaus, TransUnion, recently agreed to provide virtually every adult in America with access to a free version of their credit score under a proposed settlement for a class-action lawsuit. The settlement (In re Trans Union Corp. Privacy Litigation) stems from allegations that TransUnion sold consumers’ personal information without their permission in the early 1990’s.

“Credit scores are a useful tool – especially when combined with other credit report information - helping consumers gauge how potential lenders and creditors may view them as customers,” Corbett said. “Federal law already gives consumers the right to a free copy of their credit report every year, but credit bureaus are allowed to charge a fee for your actual credit score.”

Corbett said the settlement with TransUnion affects all consumers who had an open credit account or line-of-credit between January 1, 1987 and May 28, 2008. That means anyone with a car loan, credit card, department store card, student loan, mortgage or other form of credit during that timeframe – an estimated 160-million consumers – is eligible.

Corbett explained that in order to resolve the allegations included in the lawsuit, TransUnion has agreed to provide several options to consumers who chose to participate in the proposed settlement. These options include two different levels of free credit monitoring services, one that is available for six months and includes access to a credit score from TransUnion, or an “enhanced” nine months of free credit monitoring services, which includes access to a credit score and other services, including a mortgage simulator.

According to the settlement terms, consumers who choose the enhanced option will give up their right to sue TransUnion for the claims asserted in the lawsuits. Consumers who choose the enhanced option also agree to give up their chance of receiving a possible monetary payment at a later time from a settlement fund to be established by TransUnion. No consumer is required to participate in the settlement, and consumers are also free to file their own private legal action against TransUnion.

Corbett noted that the settlement is subject to final court approval in September, but added that consumers can review information now regarding the case and submit a form indicating which settlement benefits, if any, they wish to receive. Details are available by calling the TransUnion settlement number, at 866-416-3470, or on the official settlement Web site.

Corbett added that all consumers, regardless of whether they participate in the settlement, are eligible for free annual credit reports through www.annualcreditreport.com

“Every consumer should take advantage of the free credit reports that are available to them each year,” Corbett said. “These reports provide valuable information about your credit history and can also help identify possible instances of identity theft.”

Consumers who are interested in knowing their credit score, but would rather not pay for the information, should consider whether participation in the TransUnion settlement is something that is right for them. Additionally, several websites offer free credit score simulators which can give you an estimate of your actual score without disclosing personal information