Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection
Browse published legal information questions related to Bankruptcy, Debt & Consumer Protection.
Can I take a moving company to court for holding my items hostage over extra fees?
In general, a moving company may not be able to keep your belongings indefinitely just because it says you owe more money, but the answer depends on the contract, the shipment type, the facts of the move, and whether sta...
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 Sue for Food Poisoning From a Restaurant?
Yes, in some situations a person may be able to bring a legal claim after getting food poisoning from a restaurant, but the answer depends heavily on the facts. In general, a claim may exist if the restaurant served cont...
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...
Can I get reimbursed for hotel stays if my apartment was uninhabitable due to flooding?
In Idaho, you may be able to seek reimbursement for hotel stays if flooding made your apartment uninhabitable, but the answer depends on the facts, your lease, the cause of the flooding, and who may be responsible. In ge...
Can a Car Rental Company Charge Me for Damage I Did Not Cause?
In general, a car rental company may try to charge a customer for damage discovered after a rental vehicle is returned, but that does not automatically mean the customer is legally responsible. Whether the charge is prop...
What happens if a credit card company raises my interest rate to 29% without warning?
If a credit card company raises your interest rate to 29% without warning, the first question is whether the increase was allowed under the card agreement and applicable law. In general, credit card issuers can change in...
Can a Dentist Charge Me More Than the Estimate After Treatment?
In general, a dentist may sometimes charge more than an estimate after treatment, but that depends on what the estimate covered, what you agreed to, and whether the final bill was explained clearly. An estimate is often...
Can I Dispute a Credit Card Charge for a Service That Was Never Completed?
In general, you may be able to dispute a credit card charge if you paid for a service that was not completed, not provided, or was materially different from what was promised. In a New York case, the basic question is of...
How do I get a refund for a canceled vacation rental booked online?
If a vacation rental booked online is canceled, the first place to look is the booking platform’s rules and the host’s cancellation policy. In general, those terms control whether you may receive a full refund, a partial...
How do I recover funds from a landscaping company that never showed up after payment?
If a landscaping company took your payment and never performed the work, you may have several possible ways to try to recover your money. In general, the best first step is to document what happened, gather your records,...
Can My HOA Tow My Car Without Warning?
In South Carolina, an HOA may sometimes have the power to tow a vehicle without giving you a personal warning first, but that usually depends on the HOA’s governing documents, community rules, and any applicable state or...
Can I file in small claims court over a $1,500 security camera installation that never worked correctly?
In general, a dispute over a $1,500 security camera installation may be the kind of consumer service problem that can be handled in small claims court, depending on Wyoming’s small claims rules and the specific facts. Sm...
Is it legal to record a customer service call if the company’s automated message says calls may be recorded?
In Illinois, the answer is usually not as simple as “yes” or “no.” An automated message that says calls may be recorded does not automatically mean that you may record the call yourself. It often means the company is tel...
What happens if I consolidated my loans and my old qualifying payments no longer show?
If you consolidated your loans, it is common for the payment history tied to the old loans to stop showing the same way it did before. In general, consolidation creates a new loan and the older loans are paid off or repl...