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New York Consumer Law Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law for New York on
Q: Provider stored my credit card info w/out my permission and charged it months later w/out my authorization. My rights?

In 9/2022, my son had root canal therapy. He was covered by two insurances at the time so I had a small deductible which I paid at the counter with my credit card.

Months later I received 1st invoice from the endodontist for $1,007, stating our second insurance denied the claim. I... Read more »

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Mar 29, 2023

Initiate a chargeback with your bank. Make sure you do it within the required time.

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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law for New York on
Q: Provider stored my credit card info w/out my permission and charged it months later w/out my authorization. My rights?

In 9/2022, my son had root canal therapy. He was covered by two insurances at the time so I had a small deductible which I paid at the counter with my credit card.

Months later I received 1st invoice from the endodontist for $1,007, stating our second insurance denied the claim. I... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 29, 2023

Ask to be included on denials or appeals notices from insurance carriers in the future. These usually have short shelf lives. Appeals must be usually be undertaken (or arbitration notices filed against the insurance carrier) within short windows of time, and it could take time to gather supporting... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for New York on
Q: A company sent me 2 of the same item instead of just the 1 that I purchased. Do I have a legal obligation to return it?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 28, 2023

In general, yes. It sounds like it was a mistake and not what the parties agreed upon, and not a gift. They have the legal right to pursue recovery (unless as a practical matter, the item was very small in value - that could be up to the discretion of the company). Good luck

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Employment Law, Personal Injury and Products Liability for New York on
Q: The IEEE has an intense engineering and technology standards making organization and processes to be followed.

To what extent should licensed Professional Engineers and Certified Technologists serve in Responsible Charge of standards development to protect the public?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 22, 2023

Those standards are there to protect the public. Professional Engineers are usually well qualified to develop standards due to their experience in real world settings. At the same time, there are also other highly qualified technical professionals who are well suited to develop standards, without... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Collections and Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: I just received in the mail sheriffs income execution.

I received in the mail today and income execution for my paycheck for a debt from 2014. I have never received anything from this debt. No PaperWorks no phone calls. Also it was for a vehicle that I had $3000 balance on but was totaled out and the insurance paid when my car got stolen. Also, this... Read more »

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Mar 21, 2023

Judgments are good for 20 years. Your only option is to try to vacate the judgment, which requires a motion. Cost and likelihood of success depend on which court issued the judgment.

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Collections and Bankruptcy for New York on
Q: I just received in the mail sheriffs income execution.

I received in the mail today and income execution for my paycheck for a debt from 2014. I have never received anything from this debt. No PaperWorks no phone calls. Also it was for a vehicle that I had $3000 balance on but was totaled out and the insurance paid when my car got stolen. Also, this... Read more »

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 23, 2023

You did not indicate when the judgment was entered, but I would assume it would be some time ago and it may be too late to vacate the judgment—but this would depend on some of the dates and other circumstances.

Barring a vacatur of judgment, you could contact (personally or through an...
Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Mortgage - Acknowledgement of Contribution - is he fully responsible now?

A few years ago my boyfriend’s parents were struggling financially and ended up modifying their mortgage loan (details unknown).

In this process, they asked my boyfriend to sign an acknowledgement of contribution stating that he lives there, is their son, and has been “contributing... Read more »

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 20, 2023

Acknowledging a contribution for the purpose of a loan modification does not create personal liability on the existing note. The lender does sometimes ask for authorization to run a credit report of a contributor, and if he was living there the address should show as a residence. But since he is... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: I need a consumer protection lawyer in New York City. I am dealing with a mortgage company .

I had an offer for sale accepted at the end of August 2022, I paid 10% down and the loan officer stated that he would be able to help me with a loan. It was supposed to take place at the end of November 2022. The sponsor of the property, (seller) and the property management have been in touch with... Read more »

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Mar 17, 2023

Real estate transactions in New York typically have attorneys on both sides (and one for the bank, and for co-ops, one for the co-op itself). You should contact an attorney to review the contract of sale (or if not yet entered into, to review the seller's draft) and deal with any issues... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Small Claims for New York on
Q: If a friend loans me 1000$….what’s the maximum interest rate in New York that they can charge
Peter J. Weinman
Peter J. Weinman PRO label
answered on Mar 14, 2023

There are exceptions, but 16% per annum is the maximum legal interest rate based on what you describe. More than that exposes them to civil liability. More than 25% will expose them to criminal liability.

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for New York on
Q: filed motion for relief of default judgment on grounds of improper venue. 30 days later no ruling. do i need a hearing?

the plaintiff has not opposed the motion so far. Junk debt buyer. original contract has PA as the designated venue for litigation.

Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on Feb 23, 2023

Sounds like it belongs in Pennsylvania.

Jack

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3 Answers | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Consumer Law and Collections for New York on
Q: filed motion to dismiss, there is a binding arbitration clause in contract. A hearing is scheduled. why is it needed?

with backed up dockets why does not the court simply rules on the motion? the other party has not bothered to oppose it. seems like a waste of time. Arbitration is the way to go and nobody waived it.

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Feb 24, 2023

There could be many reasons.

The Court may take the hearing off calendar prior to the hearing date.

There may be a requirement to file a notice of non- opposition.

The wrong type of motion may have been filed. The court may want to instruct the parties. The court’s...
Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for New York on
Q: If a consumer contract is signed by both parties but was not written to the letter of the law, is the contract valid?

My fiancé and I signed a contract in Suffolk County NY to get married at a venue. We subsequently cancelled due to our new date (previous date 2/28/21 during covid restrictions) being more expensive and we were unable to afford the increase. We signed both new date (5/20/22) contract and the... Read more »

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Feb 7, 2023

Without looking at the contract, an attorney cannot advise as to your particular situation. Yet if the contract seeks to waive a consumer protection law, that clause of the contract may be void as contrary to public policy. Have an attorney take a look at the contract to inform you of your rights.... Read more »

3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Small Claims and Business Law for New York on
Q: Can I sue a customer for not paying me full amount (oral agreement)?

I had an oral agreement with a customer to plant 10 trees in her yard and provide five special cares (once a month) after the 6 months planting for $20,000 so the whole process is 1 year and 1 month. I bought the tree at $600 each and materials for one treatment at $300. After 3 treatments (9... Read more »

Samuil Buschkin
Samuil Buschkin
answered on Jan 22, 2023

You should speak to a lawyer because ALL details and fine points matter for a correct analysis. Generally, an oral agreement in many instances can also be valid (although never advisable). Not having a written agreement is going to be challenging to proof in court, unless you, e.g., have direct... Read more »

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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Business Law and Copyright for New York on
Q: If the customer saw the mistake and remained silent until the process is completed, am I still liable?

A customer asked me to plant ten trees in her yard. My worker planted the wrong kind of trees. The customer saw it after the third tree but remained silent. After planting all the trees, she demanded to get rid of the wrong trees and plant the right ones at a 25% discount. Another offer she had is... Read more »

Samuil Buschkin
Samuil Buschkin
answered on Jan 22, 2023

You should speak to a lawyer because ALL details and fine points matter for a correct analysis. Generally, the parties are bound by the terms of the agreement. If the customer wants to modify (renegotiate) the agreement it can be done only per the terms of the agreement and with the other... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Foreclosure for New York on
Q: Attorney familiar with mortgage foreclosure, title, and mortgage servicing violations

Federal case- violations by mortgage servicer, of RESPA, QWR, NOE and more- also, lacks standing due to missing along and assignments

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Jan 12, 2023

You did not ask a question that can be effectively answered on this Q&A page. The attorneys on this page who answer user questions about foreclosure will all likely practice in this area. If you are searching for an attorney, you should be able to identify one here or perhaps through a Google... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Small Claims for New York on
Q: I was Romanced scammed to cash a check, and now the bank is after me
Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Jan 8, 2023

While you can file a criminal complaint against the scammer, as to you and the bank, you will owe this money.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for New York on
Q: Being sued by NYS for outstanding medical debt from June 2019. Does this fall outside of the statue of limitations?

Not sure how long the statute of limitations is for this situation. Services rendered June 2019, served Dec 2022

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Jan 3, 2023

The Civil Practice Law and Rules was amended in 2020 to reduce the statute of limitations on medical debts from 6 years to 3 years from treatment. You must properly draft and plead your defenses in your answer to the complaint or risk waiving them. There may be other defenses as well, which must... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Civil Litigation and International Law for New York on
Q: Can I sue a storage comapny for losing my items, lying about it, and still charging me monthly fees while they knew?

I've had items in storage w/ a company in Canada since the pandemic. I asked them to ship them to NY home & have asked for months. I asked for a quote on multiple occasions, they gave me one but I couldn't afford it then. With the most recent they sent me an email saying they were... Read more »

Cesar Mejia Duenas
Cesar Mejia Duenas
answered on Dec 23, 2022

The answer will depend on the terms of the agreement. Moving or Storage Companies usually place a cap in the amount of their liability in case the items are lost. The agreements usually require the customer to secure insurance to cover any damages in excess of this cap.

If the value of the...
Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: Which court in Brooklyn NY should I file a civil lawsuit against the credit bureau under the Fair Credit Reporting Act?

Case Information: The case should be brought under the US Code 1681(b) (I) & (n)

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Dec 18, 2022

The first thing you need to understand before considering a lawsuit against the credit bureaus is the administrative law concept of “exhaustion of remedies.” This essentially means that your case would be dismissed for lack of standing for failure to complete all internal appeals that the... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law, Consumer Law and Education Law for New York on
Q: Can you sue a person who works at health care center on campus for delaying service intentionally? Thank you.
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 14, 2022

It could depend on the extent of damages resulting from the delay in providing medical care. If the ensuing damages are not significant, many law firms would be unlikely to handle on a contingency basis. Good luck

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