Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
How do I handle a credit card company reopening a dispute after I thought the chargeback was final?
If a credit card company reopens a dispute after you believed the chargeback was final, the first step is usually to read every notice carefully and confirm what changed. In general, a payment dispute can be reopened if...
Is it legal for a debt collector to call me before 8 a.m. repeatedly?
In general, debt collectors are not supposed to call at a time they know is inconvenient, and calls before 8 a.m. are often treated as potentially improper under consumer-debt collection rules. If the calls are happening...
How do I handle online defamation that is hurting my job search?
Online defamation can be especially damaging during a job search because employers may review search results, social media, review sites, or other online content before deciding whether to interview or hire someone. If f...
What are my rights if a store in Alabama refuses to refund a defective $700 appliance?
In Alabama, your rights often depend on what the store promised, what the sales paperwork says, and whether the appliance was defective under the terms of the sale. In general, stores may set return and refund policies,...
What are my rights if my insurance company delays my storm damage claim for two months?
If your insurance company has delayed a storm damage claim for two months, you generally have the right to expect the insurer to handle the claim in a reasonable and good-faith manner. In Alabama, as in many states, the...
Do I have to sign a medical release for the insurance company after a car accident?
In general, you do not automatically have to sign whatever medical release an insurance company sends after a car accident. In Rhode Island, as in many states, an insurer may ask for records or authorizations so it can e...
What happens if my loan was forgiven but the balance still shows on my credit report?
If a loan was forgiven, that usually means the lender or servicer has agreed not to collect the remaining balance, at least under the terms of the forgiveness. But a forgiven loan may still appear on your credit report f...
How do I handle a contractor who didn’t finish my roof before a storm caused damage?
In Kentucky, an unfinished roof job followed by storm damage can create more than one problem at the same time. You may be dealing with a contractor dispute, a property damage insurance claim, and possibly a question abo...
Can a landlord send an old security deposit to the state if they cannot find my forwarding address?
In Ohio, a landlord usually does not simply “send” an old security deposit to the state just because they cannot find a tenant’s forwarding address. In general, the question turns on Ohio landlord-tenant law, what notice...
Can I record a call with an insurance adjuster if I tell them at the beginning?
In California, the answer is usually no if the other person does not agree. California is generally treated as an “all-party consent” state for recording confidential communications, which means telling the insurance adj...
Can my insurance deny coverage because my roommate was driving my car during the accident?
In West Virginia, an insurer may try to deny coverage if your roommate was driving your car during an accident, but the answer usually depends on the policy language and the facts of the situation. Many auto policies cov...
Can a Moving Company Auction My Stuff Without Proper Notice?
In general, a moving company may not be able to auction your belongings without giving notice first. Whether the auction was allowed usually depends on the contract, where the goods were stored, how much was owed, and wh...
Do I have to use my own collision coverage while waiting for the other insurer to accept fault?
In New York, you usually do not have to use your own collision coverage just because the other driver’s insurer has not yet accepted fault. In general, whether you file a collision claim under your own policy is a choice...
Do I have to pay a debt collector if the debt was already settled?
If a debt was already settled, you generally may not owe the full amount the collector is asking for. In many situations, a settlement means the creditor agreed to accept a reduced amount or a specific payment plan as fu...
What happens if I bought a mattress online and the company refuses to honor its 100-night trial?
If you bought a mattress online and the company refuses to honor a promised 100-night trial, the issue is usually about the seller’s contract terms and any consumer-protection rules that may apply in Delaware. In general...