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Experienced Auto Fraud Attorney Serving Fontana,

By Michael A. Klitzke, Auto Fraud and Lemon Law Attorney, reviewed and updated August 2026.

If you bought a used car from a dealership in Fontana and discovered after the sale that its title or condition was misrepresented, you are not alone. Many local buyers have faced shocks such as hidden salvage designations, questionable odometer readings, or undisclosed mechanical issues. When the paperwork you receive from the DMV contradicts what the dealer told you, or when you realize crucial details were withheld to increase dealer profits, you may be dealing with auto fraud. Acting without delay is essential, as dealerships often rely on consumer confusion and use unfair business practices to protect their own interests.

Why Local Representation Matters in Fontana

Working with an auto fraud attorney who not only knows Fontana, but routinely handles cases through local DMV offices and the San Bernardino County Superior Court, can make a significant difference for your case. Every community has its own quirks when it comes to legal procedures and documentation, and Fontana is no exception.

A lawyer established in this region brings insight into how evidence is pieced together from sources unique to Fontana, such as repair shops tucked along Cherry Avenue or registration paperwork handled at the Fontana DMV. Because vehicle fraud can hinge on details only traceable through regional records or area dealerships, having someone who already knows how to obtain and interpret this information saves valuable time.

Additionally, attorneys experienced with Fontana’s legal environment are familiar with strategies local car dealerships often use, whether they are operating near Valley Boulevard or further out by Jurupa Avenue. Armed with this knowledge, local lawyers can anticipate challenges and present your case with arguments adapted to the way cases proceed in San Bernardino courtrooms. Getting advice from a Fontana-based vehicle fraud attorney means receiving recommendations and strategies grounded in an understanding of local realities, legal standards, and the evidence-gathering approaches that succeed here.

How Auto Law Firm, PC Helps Fontana Residents Fight Auto Fraud

Auto Law Firm, PC pursues a wide range of auto fraud cases for Fontana car buyers, including cases involving misrepresented vehicle histories, undisclosed mechanical problems, service contract disputes, misleading advertising, unfair add-on products, deceptive practices concerning gap insurance, and odometer rollbacks.

Our urgent, step-by-step process includes:

Initial case evaluation: Our firm reviews your purchase documents, financing contract, dealer communications, and related paperwork to identify red flags or omissions and evaluate if a valid legal claim exists for auto dealer fraud.
Investigation and evidence gathering: We secure DMV title and registration records, NMVTIS and vehicle history reports, warranty and service contracts, and repair documentation to establish what the dealer and the previous owner knew or should have known about the vehicle before the sale.
Demand letter: An attorney-drafted letter is sent to the car dealership and/or lender, outlining specific violations such as false or misleading statements or deceptive practices under California Vehicle Code section 11713 or Civil Code section 1770, and demanding immediate correction, refund, or rescission.
Negotiation: We pursue settlements that may include rescinding the purchase, returning the vehicle, obtaining a refund, securing monetary damages, canceling unnecessary add ons such as extended warranties or gap insurance, or covering repairs, depending on the facts and the dealer’s willingness to resolve.
Trial/Arbitration: If negotiations break down, we prepare to litigate in San Bernardino County Superior Court, presenting evidence before a judge or arbitrator as required by the contract or law.
Resolution: The process may result in outcomes such as rescission (contract cancellation), damages, and attorney’s fees where applicable under statutes like Civil Code section 1770 or the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, restoring the money you spent to purchase the car.

For example, in a representative matter involving the sale of a vehicle with a washed title by a Fontana used car dealer, the purchaser discovered after the fact that the car had previously been branded as a salvage in another state, a fact not disclosed as required. Our firm intervened, citing California Vehicle Code section 11713 (false statements by dealers) and the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, and successfully negotiated a rescission of the contract and damages for our client. Results will always depend on the facts of your case, and past successes do not guarantee a similar outcome in every instance.

Types of Auto Fraud Cases We Handle in Fontana

Auto Law Firm, PC focuses on auto fraud claims affecting Fontana purchasers, including auto dealer fraud, lemon law violations, unfair business practices by dealers, failure to disclose flood damage, misuse of service contracts, and especially title washing, which can have immediate and expensive consequences if not addressed quickly.

Dealer Misrepresentation

Dealer misrepresentation involves giving false or misleading information about a car’s history, accident record, mileage, or working condition. Under California Vehicle Code section 11713 and Civil Code section 1770 (CLRA), Fontana-area dealers may be liable if they make or fail to correct statements that are false or misleading before the sale is finalized. Buyers should pay close attention to dealer claims about “clean title,” “one owner,” or “no accidents,” since these could be actionable if proved false and could lead to you becoming a victim of auto fraud.

Lemon Law Violations

When a car is covered by the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act or the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Fontana buyers who repeatedly face serious mechanical problems after purchase may have a right to pursue a remedy. Lemon law violations arise when, despite multiple good-faith attempts at repair, a vehicle remains defective and unsafe to drive, and the warrantor does not repurchase or replace the car. Car dealerships sometimes use unfair business practices to deny valid legal claims related to lemon law or fail to honor warranties or extended warranties.

Title Washing

Title washing is a severe and urgent form of auto fraud that occurs when a vehicle’s branded title, such as salvage, junk, flood, or odometer discrepancies, is concealed or removed before sale to an unsuspecting Fontana buyer. This often involves transferring title paperwork between states to “cleanse” the vehicle history, making it appear as if the car has never been seriously damaged or rebuilt. Auto dealers may use deceptive practices to obscure a car’s history or fail to tell consumers about flood damage or prior use as a trade in, intentionally increasing their own profit at your expense.

Imagine you buy a used sedan from a Fontana dealership claiming it has a clean California title. After you apply for registration with the local DMV, you receive paperwork alerting you that the vehicle was previously declared a total loss in another state. Many buyers in Fontana find out about title washing only when they cannot obtain registration or insurance, are told by a repair shop that the structure has been rebuilt, or when a subsequent NMVTIS report reveals the prior status. These common types of auto dealer fraud can leave consumers exposed to significant financial losses and repairs the dealer sold you a vehicle unfit for the road.

Under California Vehicle Code section 11713, a dealer is prohibited from making false statements about a vehicle’s title or failing to disclose a known branded history. Additionally, licensed California used-car dealers generally must obtain an NMVTIS report before a retail sale and provide a copy upon request before the sale (Vehicle Code section 11713.26). Title washing is both illegal and extremely costly, it can destroy your vehicle’s value, leave you ineligible for certain types of insurance, and expose you to potential safety issues and a loss of thousands of dollars.

If you suspect title washing in your Fontana car purchase, immediate legal action is crucial. Statutes such as Civil Code section 1689 allow for rescission (contract cancellation) when fraud is proved, and the CLRA (Civil Code section 1770) provides additional tools for pursuing damages and requiring the dealer to pay your legal fees. The ability to move quickly and marshal all documentary evidence, especially when dealing with inter-state transfers or local DMV irregularities, can make the difference between obtaining a remedy and being left with a vehicle you never would have purchased if the truth were disclosed.

Why Choose Us

When choosing a Fontana title fraud attorney or dealership fraud lawyer, you want someone deeply committed to your individual needs and with true familiarity with the area’s challenges. At Auto Law Firm, PC, we go beyond standard legal representation to offer our clients meaningful advantages during every stage of the case, particularly if your matter involves unclear financing terms, unnecessary add-ons, or unexpected dealership tactics.

Our knowledge of how issues are processed at the local DMV and within San Bernardino County courts allows us to anticipate and avoid setbacks that could delay your case. This local insight proves invaluable when addressing complex auto dealer fraud, service contract abuses, or hidden fees.
Legal fees should not stand in the way of justice. We accept Fontana auto fraud cases on a contingency basis, so you never pay out-of-pocket to get started and owe us nothing unless we obtain compensation for you. This approach helps you enforce your rights without financial worry.
Clear and prompt communication guides everything we do. Our clients work directly with an attorney who provides regular updates and is available to answer your questions, so you are never left guessing about your case, no matter if your dispute is about misleading advertising, problematic warranties, or insurance add-ons.
By dedicating our entire practice to auto fraud and lemon law, we offer clients focused attention and in-depth knowledge. Our team handles cases like yours every day and keeps pace with changes affecting dealership fraud and consumer protections, so you can expect advice tailored specifically to your concerns.

“Auto Law Firm recently handled my Lemon Law lawsuit. They completed the process in a timely manner. I was impressed with the professionalism and the attention to detail that the firm showed in this matter.”, Dennis M.

Individual results vary, and this testimonial does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your matter.

FAQ

I bought a used car in Fontana and found out the title is branded. Is there a deadline for filing an auto fraud claim?

For claims under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act (Civil Code section 1770), you generally have three years from the date the dealer’s deceitful act occurred to take legal action. Other potential claims may have different time limits, so do not wait to seek legal advice if you spot issues, such as odometer fraud, advertising inconsistencies, or undisclosed flood damage, with your vehicle’s title or history.

What paperwork do Fontana dealers have to give me before I buy a used car?

Dealers must give you sales and finance disclosures, including accurate contract terms and details about add-on products such as gap insurance or service contracts if sold (Civil Code section 2982.2). Required paperwork can also include a copy of the NMVTIS report before sale if you request it. Other disclosure duties, such as accident history or branded title, depend on the facts of the car’s history and are crucial for consumers to review before finalizing a purchase.

I think my dealer rolled back the odometer on my car. What should I do first?

If you suspect odometer tampering, gather your purchase documents, any recent repair or service records, and advertising materials, then contact a Fontana vehicle fraud lawyer immediately. California Vehicle Code section 11713 prohibits false or misleading statements about mileage and auto dealer fraud related to odometer readings. Acting quickly can help preserve evidence for your potential claim and improve your chances of recovering your money.

Can I get my money back if the dealer in Fontana lied about my car being a salvage?

If a dealer failed to disclose a prior salvage title or committed other dealer fraud, you may have grounds for rescission of the contract under Civil Code section 1689. Remedies may include canceling the sale, obtaining a refund, and recovering any interest rate overcharges or unnecessary dealership fees, but outcomes depend on the precise circumstances and supporting documents. Consulting an auto fraud attorney ensures you have a valid legal claim and can use all applicable consumer fraud protections.

Take Action Now to Protect Your Rights

If you are worried you purchased a misrepresented or title-washed vehicle in Fontana, or have discovered hidden mechanical problems, unfair fees, or dealership fraud, there is no time to waste. Contact Auto Law Firm, PC now for a swift Fontana vehicle fraud attorney consultation and free consultation. We know how to investigate, document, and pursue your claim with total urgency, so you are not left paying for a dealer’s dishonesty. Delays can affect your options and ability to recover, so act today to get the answers and solutions you deserve, whether your situation involves fraudulent advertising, secret repairs, hidden add ons, or any other type of auto dealer fraud.

About the Author, Michael A. Klitzke

Michael Klitzke is the founder of Auto Law Firm, PC, handling auto fraud, lemon law, and personal injury cases throughout California’s state and federal courts. He graduated summa cum laude (2 of 201) from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where he served as a Law Review Editor and a national mock-trial competitor, and earned his B.A. in Political Science from San Diego State University. He was the primary litigation attorney in the landmark consumer case Pulliam v. HNL Automotive, Inc., 13 Cal.5th 127 (2022) before the California Supreme Court, and has been recognized by Super Lawyers (Rising Star), Best of the Bar for one of the top 100 California verdicts of 2022, and Marquis Who’s Who in North America (2025).

Auto Law Firm, PC

500 La Terraza Blvd. Suite 150, Escondido, CA 92025

619-272-9989