An Oregon nonprofit group is rolling out new legal services to help residents with scams, including a focus on used vehicle sales in the state. 

Oregon Consumer Justice (OCJ) has traditionally worked on changing public policy, according to an article from Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). It says the group recently started hiring attorneys to provide the public with legal services. 

“We’re focused on autos, which is a big thing; purchasing a car — a used car, a new car — or purchasing used car warranties,” OCJ Executive Director Jagjit Nagra told OPB. 

OCJ also recently published a comic book to help consumers when purchasing a used car.

The comic book tells consumers to check to see if the vehicle is under warranty or if it is sold as-is. It also lists questions consumers should ask, such as if the vehicle was purchased at an auction and if so, can the buyer provide a copy of the auction report. Other questions include if the vehicle has ever been in a crash, in a flood, or underwater.  

Consumers are told to get a post-purchase inspection, a service that some collision repair shops offer. It notes that it is an additional cost but one that is worth it. 

A Michigan TV station recently investigated a case of a mother who purchased a used vehicle for $17,000 who later found out it was a salvaged vehicle needing $13,000 in repairs. 

Nagra told OPB that the nonprofit currently has two lawyers, a paralegal, and a researcher on the team. He said the organization plans to continue growing its legal team over the next year or two. 

The organization also does not have any income requirements, the article says. It says the nonprofit is funded by money that remains unclaimed in class action lawsuits and donations. 

“The need in the consumer space is so large that, quite frankly, even if I had 100 lawyers it would be nearly impossible,” Nagra said to OPB. 

OCJ will help consumers with other types of issues including insurance and debt from credit card and medical costs to student loan debt, the article says.

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