Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
What happens if a financing company reports late payments that I already disputed?
If a financing company reports late payments that you already disputed, the entry does not automatically disappear just because you raised a dispute. In general, the company and the credit reporting system may still keep...
Is it legal for a business to keep uncashed refund checks instead of reporting them to the state?
In Kentucky, a business generally cannot treat uncashed refund checks as if they are simply its own money forever. In many situations, money represented by an uncashed check may be considered unclaimed property, which ca...
How do I recover money from a contractor who abandoned my home renovation halfway through?
If a contractor abandons a home renovation partway through, the first step is usually to document exactly what happened and what money was paid. In many situations, homeowners try to recover funds by showing that the con...
Can California Businesses Add a 3.99% Card Fee at Checkout Without Advertising It?
In general, California businesses may be able to add a card-related fee at checkout, but whether they can do so without advertising it first depends on several legal and practical factors. The main issues usually involve...
Can a Bank Reverse a Chargeback Months Later?
Yes, a bank or card issuer may sometimes reverse a chargeback months later, but it usually depends on the payment network rules, the account agreement, the type of transaction, and the facts of the dispute. A chargeback...
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...
Do I have to pay a dentist for a procedure that failed and needs to be redone?
In general, you may still owe money for a dental procedure even if it did not work as expected, but that does not mean the dentist can always charge you the full amount without question. In New Jersey, as in many states,...
Does Living With Cats Mean I Accepted Responsibility for Pet Damage?
In general, simply living with cats does not automatically mean you accepted legal responsibility for any pet damage. In New Jersey, as in many places, responsibility usually depends on facts such as who owned the cat, w...
How do I remove a defaulted student loan from my credit report after rehabilitation?
In general, rehabilitation does not usually erase a student loan from your credit report. Instead, it often changes the way the loan is reported. A defaulted loan that has been rehabilitated may be updated to show the de...
Can a company record my support call if I stayed on the line after hearing the recording notice?
In Massachusetts, the answer may depend on what notice you received, what the recording said, and whether the call was being recorded in a way allowed by law. If a company clearly told you the call might be recorded and...
Is it legal for a mechanic to keep my car because I disputed the repair charges?
In Indiana, a mechanic may sometimes be able to keep a vehicle if the shop claims it has a legal right to hold the car for unpaid repair charges. That right is often discussed as a mechanic’s lien or possessory lien, but...
What are my rights if my coworker keeps following me to my car after work and making threats?
In Washington, repeated following, threatening comments, or other intimidating conduct by a coworker may raise both workplace safety and legal concerns. If the behavior makes you reasonably afraid for your safety, it may...
What are my rights if a debt collector recorded me after I said I did not agree to be recorded?
In Illinois, a debt collector recording you after you said you did not agree to be recorded may raise privacy and consumer-protection concerns. Whether the recording was lawful can depend on the facts, including who was...
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...
How do I handle finding a camera disguised as a phone charger in a vacation rental?
Finding a camera disguised as a phone charger in a vacation rental can be alarming, and in Georgia it may raise both privacy and criminal-law concerns depending on the facts. In general, the safest first steps are to avo...