Anthony LaFaziaCEO, Atlantic Training · CEO at Atlantic Training | EdTech & Safety Compliance Leader

Consumer Protection Demystified: What Makes a Practice Unfair or Deceptive in Auto Finance?

24 Jun 2026 · 1 min

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The video explains what makes a practice "unfair" under consumer protection law in the context of auto finance. Speaker A defines an unfair practice as one that causes or is likely to cause consumer harm that cannot be reasonably avoided, and where the harm is not outweighed by any benefits. The definition is broken down into three practical hallmarks: unexpected costs or losses, barriers that stop consumers from making informed choices, and processes that trap consumers into outcomes they did not anticipate. An illustrative example is given: a dealer tells a buyer that a GPS anti‑theft tracking device is a mandatory, non‑negotiable part of the vehicle purchase, even though the device is not legally required. Because the buyer cannot reasonably opt out and is misled about the necessity of the charge, the practice may be deemed unfair. Mid‑video, Speaker B delivers a promotional break for Atlantic Training’s Wave management platform, highlighting its HR and soft‑skills training tools. The video’s purpose is to demystify unfair‑practice criteria for consumers and professionals in auto finance, using clear language and a concrete example, while also containing a brief ad segment.

A practice is considered unfair when it causes or is likely to cause harm to consumers that they cannot reasonably avoid, and when that harm is not outweighed by benefits. In practical terms, Unfair practices often involve unexpected costs or losses, barriers that prevent customers from making informed choices, or processes that trap customers into outcomes they did not anticipate.
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For example, a customer is told during the sales process that a GPS anti-theft tracking device is a mandatory, non-negotiable part of the vehicle purchase package. Because the customer was led to believe they could not reasonably opt out of the service or avoid the charge, even if it is not legally required, the practice may be considered unfair.