Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Is it legal for a business to record my phone call in Alabama without telling me?
In general, the answer depends on how Alabama recording and privacy rules apply to the call, the people involved, and whether anyone on the call consented. In many states, phone call recording rules turn on whether one p...
Can a phone company keep billing me after I ported my number out?
In general, a phone company should not keep charging you for service that has actually ended, but a bill after you port your number out does not always mean the charge is improper. In many situations, carriers continue b...
Can Employers or Businesses Keep Photocopies of Driver’s Licenses?
In general, a business or employer may ask to see your driver’s license to verify identity, age, driving privileges, or eligibility for a transaction or job duty. Whether it may keep a photocopy is a separate question an...
How do I collect if I win a $1,200 small claims judgment and the business still refuses to pay?
If you win a small claims judgment in South Dakota and the business still does not pay, the judgment does not usually collect itself. A court judgment is a legal debt, but you generally still have to take collection step...
What happens if I accidentally overpay a credit card and the company won’t refund the balance?
If you accidentally overpay a credit card, the account usually ends up with a negative balance or credit balance. In general, that means the card issuer owes you the excess amount, but the exact process for getting it ba...
Do I Have to Pay HOA Fines If I Never Got the Violation Notice?
In general, whether you have to pay an HOA fine after not receiving the violation notice depends on the HOA’s governing documents, how notice was supposed to be delivered, and whether the association can show it followed...
What happens if a roommate secretly installed a camera in our shared bathroom?
If a roommate secretly installed a camera in a shared bathroom, that can raise serious legal and safety concerns in Texas. In general, a bathroom is one of the most private places in a home, and secretly recording people...
Can a Hospital Bill Me Years After the Visit?
Yes, a hospital may sometimes send a bill long after the visit, but whether it can still collect depends on several legal and practical factors. A late bill does not automatically mean the charge is invalid. It may happe...
What are my rights if a contractor leaves hazardous materials on my property?
If a contractor leaves hazardous materials on your property, you may have several possible rights under Alabama law and general contract, property, and tort principles. In general, you may be able to demand that the cont...
Is it legal for a towing company to keep my car until I pay cash only?
In Nevada, a towing company may sometimes keep a vehicle until lawful towing and storage charges are paid, but the details matter. Whether a company can insist on cash only depends on the agreement, the type of tow, the...
How do I handle a landlord who is charging me for water bills from before I moved in?
If a landlord is trying to make you pay water bills from before you moved in, the first question is whether your lease clearly says you are responsible for those charges. In general, a landlord usually cannot shift earli...
What Happens If a Utility Company Bills Me for the Wrong Meter?
If a utility company bills you for the wrong meter, the problem is usually a billing error that may be corrected once it is identified. In general, utilities rely on meter readings, account records, service addresses, an...
Is it legal for a company to auto-renew my subscription without clear notice?
In general, a company may be allowed to auto-renew a subscription if the terms clearly explain that the subscription will continue unless canceled. But if the renewal terms were not presented clearly, or if the company u...
Can my bank send my checking account to the state as unclaimed property if I have not used it in three years?
In California, a bank account may be treated as unclaimed property if there has been no customer activity for a long period and the bank cannot reach the owner. In general, that means the account has become dormant or in...
What happens if my name is misspelled on the state unclaimed property website?
If your name is misspelled on a state unclaimed property website, it usually does not mean the money or property is not yours. Unclaimed property databases often contain old, incomplete, or inconsistent records, so a spe...