Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
What happens if my student loans were transferred and my payment history disappeared?
If your student loans were transferred to a new servicer and your payment history disappeared, that can be confusing, but it does not necessarily mean the payments were lost or that the transfer was improper. In general,...
What are my rights if my college closed before I finished my degree and I still owe $18,000?
If your college closed before you finished your degree, you may have several possible rights and options, but they depend heavily on the facts. In Illinois, the first question is usually what kind of money you still owe:...
What happens if a restaurant claims the warning cone was there but I never saw one?
If a restaurant says a warning cone was in place but you never saw it, that usually turns the case into a factual dispute about what really happened. In Texas, that kind of dispute often matters because premises liabilit...
How do I handle a cleaning service that broke my TV and says its workers are independent contractors?
If a cleaning service broke your TV, the first question is usually who may be legally responsible for the loss. In general, the answer depends on who hired the worker, how the job was set up, what the contract says, and...
Can my employer deduct $250 from my last check for a laptop charger I returned late?
In general, an employer in Utah may not automatically take money from your final paycheck just because company property was returned late. Whether a deduction is allowed usually depends on the facts, the employer’s polic...
Can I record a private phone call with my landlord in California if I am part of the conversation?
In California, the answer is often no unless the other person agrees. California is generally considered a two-party consent state, which means that recording a private phone call usually requires the consent of everyone...
What are my rights if a fake account is impersonating me and posting racist comments?
If a fake account is impersonating you and posting racist comments, you may have several possible legal and practical options, depending on the facts. In general, impersonation and hateful posts can affect your reputatio...
What are my rights if a company recorded my sales call after I said I did not consent?
If a company recorded your sales call after you clearly said you did not consent, that may raise legal issues in California. In general, California is a two-party consent state for many confidential communications, which...
Is it legal for a towing company to tow my car from a private lot without clear signage?
In North Carolina, the legality of a tow from a private parking lot can depend on several facts, including who owned or controlled the lot, whether the driver had permission to park there, and whether the lot gave notice...
What are my rights if my wages are being garnished but I never received notice about the student loan debt?
If your wages are being garnished for a student loan debt and you never received notice, that may raise important due process and debt-collection questions. In general, a creditor or collection agency usually must follow...
Do I have to pay a cancellation fee if the service provider rescheduled multiple times?
In general, maybe not—but it depends on the contract, the provider’s policies, and what happened before the cancellation. If a service provider repeatedly changed the appointment date or time, that may affect whether a c...
How do I know if a voicemail message counts as consent to record the rest of a call?
In general, a voicemail message does not automatically count as consent to record the rest of a live phone call. Whether it counts usually depends on what the speaker actually said, whether the statement clearly allowed...
Do I have to pay a cancellation fee for a home security contract if the system never worked?
In general, maybe not—but it depends on the contract, what “never worked” means, and what happened after installation. If a home security system was never functional, you may have arguments that the company failed to pro...
What are my rights if my bank refuses to reimburse unauthorized ATM withdrawals?
If you are in Kentucky and your bank refuses to reimburse unauthorized ATM withdrawals, your rights usually depend on the facts, your account agreement, and the consumer-protection rules that apply to electronic fund tra...
Is it legal for a towing company to charge $620 after my car was parked at a shopping center for 45 minutes?
In Nevada, a towing charge that high may be legal in some situations, but it depends heavily on the facts. A parking lot tow is usually governed by a mix of property rules, contract or posted-sign issues, towing company...