Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Is it legal for a mechanic to charge $1,100 more than the estimate without calling me first?
In Indiana, a mechanic may sometimes charge more than the original estimate, but that does not automatically mean any overage is allowed without notice. Whether the charge is lawful often depends on what the estimate sai...
A contractor demolished the wrong wall in my house. Do I call insurance or sue them?
If a contractor demolished the wrong wall in your Texas home, the next step is often to think about both insurance and a claim against the contractor, not just one or the other. In many situations, homeowners first notif...
Do I have to get consent if the conversation happened on speakerphone with other people nearby?
In California, the answer may depend on whether the conversation was being recorded or otherwise intercepted, and on whether the people involved had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Speakerphone use by itself does no...
Is it legal for a store to delete security footage after I asked them to preserve it?
In general, a store may not be free to delete security footage once it has notice that the footage may be needed in a legal dispute. But the answer depends on the facts, the type of claim, and whether the store had a cle...
Is it legal for a subscription app to make me call customer service to cancel but let me sign up online?
In general, a subscription app may not be allowed to make cancellation much harder than sign-up, but the answer depends on the facts and the legal rules that apply in Utah and under any relevant federal law. If a company...
What are my rights if my phone carrier added a protection plan to my bill without my permission?
If a phone carrier added a protection plan to your bill without your permission, you may have consumer rights under Tennessee law, contract law, and possibly federal or billing-related consumer protections. In general, a...
What are my rights if my student loan balance increased while I was in an approved deferment?
If your student loan balance increased while you were in an approved deferment, the first question is usually whether the increase was expected under the loan terms. In many student loan programs, some interest may keep...
What happens if the defamatory post was deleted but people already took screenshots?
In general, deleting a defamatory post does not necessarily make the issue go away. If other people already saw the post or saved screenshots, those screenshots may still be used as evidence that the statement was publis...
What happens if a repair shop charges me for parts I did not authorize?
In Massachusetts, a repair shop generally should not add charges for parts or work that you did not authorize, but the exact answer depends on what you agreed to, what the shop disclosed, and how the repair was documente...
What happens if I found unclaimed property under my old address from 12 years ago?
If you found unclaimed property tied to an old address from 12 years ago, the main question is usually whether the property is actually yours, whether you still have a legal right to claim it, and whether the holder or s...
How do I claim an old utility deposit that shows up as unclaimed property?
In North Carolina, an old utility deposit that appears on an unclaimed property list usually means the utility company reported money it could not return to you after your account ended. In general, the state holds that...
What happens if my auto insurance company says my car is totaled but their payout is $2,400 less than my loan balance?
If your car is declared a total loss and the insurance payout is less than what you still owe on the loan, you may still be responsible for the remaining balance. In general, the insurer’s payment is based on the car’s a...
What are my rights if maintenance workers installed a camera in my unit without permission?
In Washington, if maintenance workers installed a camera inside your rental unit without your permission, that may raise serious privacy and landlord-tenant concerns. In general, a tenant has a strong expectation of priv...
How do I enforce a small claims judgment against a business that closed?
If you won a small claims judgment against a business that later closed, enforcement can still be possible, but it often depends on what happened to the business, who owned it, and whether any assets or insurance remain....
Do I have to pay my deductible when the accident was completely the other driver’s fault?
In New York, the answer is often: maybe at first, but not necessarily in the end. If you use your own auto insurance coverage to repair your car, your policy may require you to pay the deductible up front before the insu...