Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Can a Bank Reverse a Fraud Credit Months After Giving It to Me?
In general, yes, a bank may sometimes reverse a fraud-related provisional credit months after it was issued, depending on why the credit was given, how the bank investigated the claim, and what the account agreement or a...
A store sold me a floor model appliance as new. Can I demand a refund?
In Texas, if a store sold you a floor model appliance as “new” when it was actually a display or floor model, that may raise consumer-protection issues. In general, the answer depends on what the store said, what the rec...
What happens if my renter’s insurance refuses to cover theft because there was no forced entry?
If a renters insurance company refuses to cover a theft claim because there was no forced entry, the first thing to check is the policy language. In general, some policies cover theft only if there is evidence of forced...
Can a mechanic charge diagnostic fees twice for the same issue?
In general, a mechanic may be able to charge more than once for diagnostic work, but whether charging twice for the same issue is reasonable usually depends on the facts, the repair agreement, and what work was actually...
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,...
Can I qualify for teacher loan forgiveness and PSLF for the same teaching years?
In general, you may be able to have the same teaching years considered for both Teacher Loan Forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), but the rules are not always simple and the programs do not work in exa...
What happens if a payday lender is still withdrawing money after I already paid the balance they quoted?
If a payday lender keeps taking money after you already paid the balance they quoted, it usually means there may be a payment-processing problem, a dispute about whether the account was actually paid in full, or an error...
How do I stop a debt collector from contacting me at my workplace?
In general, a debt collector may not keep contacting you at work if they know your employer does not allow it or if you clearly tell the collector to stop contacting you there. If you are in New York, the same general co...
What are my rights if my paycheck is being garnished for child support but the amount is wrong?
If your paycheck is being garnished for child support in Illinois and the amount looks wrong, you generally have the right to ask for an accounting and to challenge mistakes in how the withholding is being calculated or...
How do I handle a subscription that keeps charging after I canceled through email?
If a subscription keeps charging after you canceled by email, the first step is usually to save proof of the cancellation and the later charges. That may include your cancellation email, the company’s reply, bank stateme...
Do I have to pay a debt that is not on my credit report but a collector says I owe?
In general, yes, a debt can still be owed even if it does not appear on your credit report. A credit report is not the same thing as a full list of all debts a person may owe. Some debts never get reported, some are repo...
Is It Legal for a Store to Reject Cash Payments?
In general, a private store may sometimes refuse cash, but the answer depends on the facts and on whether any federal, state, or local rule applies. In Virginia, there is not always a simple blanket rule that requires ev...
What happens if a dealership adds hidden fees not listed in the advertised price?
In general, if a dealership advertises one price and then adds fees that were not clearly disclosed, a consumer may have questions about whether the advertising or sales practices were misleading. In South Carolina, as i...
What are my rights if an online store sends me the wrong item and refuses a refund?
If an online store sends you the wrong item, you usually have at least a strong consumer complaint and may have contract or consumer-protection arguments depending on the facts. In general, when a seller ships something...
Can I record audio on my home security cameras if contractors are working inside my house?
In Massachusetts, recording audio on a home security camera may raise legal issues because audio recording can be treated differently from video recording. In general, people are often more comfortable that video of acti...