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Sometimes, class actions provide the only means of curbing companies' fraudulent behavior in the arena of consumer services. The parties have reached a tentative $7.35 million settlement in a class action against Sears, Roebuck and Company on behalf of all persons throughout the United States who purchased the Sears AccuBalance tire balancing service between May 1, 1989, and June 30, 1994. Proof of claims forms must be postmarked no later than November 1, 2003, to be considered valid.

The parties have reached a final settlement apparently valued at $3 million in an action filed against Safeco Insurance Company of America and related companies on behalf of Montana customers who filed uninsured, underinsured and medical claims against the company from 1996 to the present. The action alleged that state insurance provisions prohibiting "stacking'' of multiple insurance policies were unenforceable. Persons eligible to participate in the settlement should contact attorneys for the class for more information as soon as possible.

Auto leasing has exploded in popularity in the last few years, yet many consumers don't understand how leasing really works, or how to determine if it is right for them. A Florida class action has been filed against auto financing company Mitsubishi Motors Credit of America, Inc., on behalf of vehicle lessees who allege that the company charged them "taxes" that were actually just undisclosed fees to cover wear and tear, and excess mileage on the vehicles, in violation of Florida consumer protection laws and the federal Consumer Leasing Act.

If you fall behind on your car payments, California law allows the lender to repossess your car without any notice. A class action has been filed against Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation on behalf of Californians who had auto loans with the company and had their autos repossessed and sold at auction, leaving them with deficiency judgments to pay even though they lost the auto.

Many Los Angeles-area consumers shopping at Drive Time (formerly known as Ugly Ducking) for used cars usually filled out credit applications containing all of their confidential financial information, including name, social security number, employment information and home address. These consumers assumed that Drive Time would keep these credit applications under lock and key and not leak them to anyone outside of Drive Time.

Kanawha County Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib certified a class-action lawsuit against C&O Motors Inc., Love Daewoo Inc. and Saint Albans Import Inc. The class involves anyone who bought a new Daewoo automobile from C&O Motors between Feb. 1, 2002, and Aug. 2, 2002. Trial is set for Jan. 23, 2006.

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