Get free answers to your Consumer Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I have an issue with a friend who agreed verbally to take over payments for my car that I am still financing through the bank. He's making Zelle payments to me, which I use to pay the bank from my personal credit card. There is no written contract, just verbal consent about this arrangement.... View More 
I played a casino app believing it was legal and won small amounts without issue. However, when I won $1000, the California-based owner of the app said I was only playing for virtual coins and threatened me if I reported him. I have CashApp history of payments related to this app. Is it possible to... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 12, 2025
You may have grounds to seek a refund if you can prove you were misled or defrauded by the app owner. California law takes fraudulent activities seriously, especially when there is evidence like your CashApp payment history showing financial transactions. Collect all messages, transaction receipts,... View More
I am dealing with a situation where a client has not paid the location fees for a venue used for a party. The client is using visual images of the event online to promote a web and Instagram broadcast channel. There is a location use agreement, but it is not signed by all parties. Attempts to... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 12, 2025
First, even though the location agreement wasn't signed by all parties, you might still have enforceable rights under implied consent or oral agreement principles. If you have any emails, texts, or communications confirming the venue use terms or fees, these can strengthen your claim. Gather... View More
I rent an apartment with a shared garage, and I'm considering installing a security camera in the garage. However, there's a policy in place that prohibits surveillance devices. There are currently no other security measures in the garage. Is it legal for me to set up a camera without the... View More
answered on Mar 10, 2025
A policy is not a law, so violation of a policy is not illegal. However, it is illegal to record another person who has a reasonable expectation of privacy, like in their home. Whether that applies to a common garage is unknown, but since there is a policy that prohibits surveillance devices,... View More
I believe I was deceived by a car salesman at Toyota of Marin. I traded in my 2008 Prius for a newer model, but the monthly payment of $738 was more than I could afford. Despite my concerns, the salesman assured me I could refinance later. After expressing discomfort, I was offered an electric 2024... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 9, 2025
You have several legal options to address this situation, especially since deceptive dealership practices are taken seriously in California. First, gather all relevant documentation—including your contracts, payment schedules, and correspondence with the dealership—as this will strengthen your... View More
I rented a house advertised as a private residence through Zillow, where the lease indicated I was the sole resident, confirmed by the landlord, for $2400 per month. Instead, another tenant occupied a unit below, initially described as a storage unit, where I had to share a mailbox and pay most of... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 9, 2025
You have strong grounds to pursue legal action for breach of contract and potential fraud in this situation. First, your landlord advertised and agreed to lease the property as a private residence for your exclusive use but failed to disclose another tenant sharing the space, mailbox, and... View More
I discovered via a credit check that my name was mistakenly placed on a mortgage that should be under my parent's name. I am making payments on this mortgage. This error has severely limited my pre-approval to purchase a home due to its impact on my credit report. How can I address this... View More
answered on Mar 9, 2025
Dispute it with the credit reporting agencies and the mortgage company reporting the information and detail that you are not on the mortgage. You can also reach out to a consumer protection attorney familiar with the Fair Credit Reporting Act to assist and review this.
I have a concern about what I perceive as a discriminatory practice in many grocery stores. In order to access sale prices, stores require the use of a cellphone app. I do not own a cellphone and am not interested in acquiring one due to personal reasons, such as frequently losing items. This... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 7, 2025
Stores can legally offer different prices to customers who use their apps versus those who don't. This practice, while frustrating, falls under what's known as price discrimination, which is generally legal when not based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or disability. Your... View More
I bought a new car at Toyota Irvine with an extended warranty under Auto Nation. In 2024, my vehicle's hybrid battery broke, which should have been covered by the warranty. Both the Ontario and Irvine dealerships claimed they couldn't find my warranty, and I ended up paying $900 out of... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2025
Absurd! Absent it being a USED car with HIGH mileage, a 2024 should be easily covered by warranty. Since it is lemon law you MAY be able to get counsel and force TOYOTA to pay your
atty.
I have an owner's title policy, and I initially designated a third party to communicate with the title insurance company on my behalf, as they are most familiar with the title concerns and filed the claim for me. Although the title claims agent initially accepted this arrangement, they later... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 7, 2025
Yes, you generally have the right to designate a third party to communicate with your title insurer on your behalf in California. This right falls under basic agency principles and is supported by California insurance regulations that allow policyholders to appoint authorized representatives. Your... View More
Nine months ago, I paid off a credit card debt in full. However, the credit card issuer incorrectly applied my payment three times, resulting in a -$9000 balance instead of $0. I informed them of this error the same day. Five months later, I had a monetary emergency and used this "credit"... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 7, 2025
Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, credit card issuers typically have 60 days to correct billing errors, but banks can sometimes rectify significant errors like this beyond that timeframe. Your situation is complicated because you were aware of the error and used the mistaken credit despite... View More
I would like to know if I can sue AidVantage for negligence in handling my student loan, resulting in a loss of $12,000 in loan forgiveness. I instructed them to move my loan to the SAVE plan, but they mishandled paperwork, misinformed me about the process and totals, and required me to undergo... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2025
In the USA anyone can sue anyone else for any reason. So, yes, you can sue. IF you have good evidence that you've been harmed/cheated, you may convince a student loan (consumer protection) attorney to take the case for you, maybe. Good luck with it.
I was in a car accident on May 23, 2024, and suffered knee contusions, strained back muscles, and whiplash. The insurance company is offering me $15,000 as a settlement; however, since then, the state insurance minimums have increased from $15,000 to $30,000. Am I entitled to the new rates or the... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2025
Any policy issued in 2025 has to comply with the new rates. Since the policy with which you are dealing was issued in 2024, it can be a $15k/$30k policy. A consultation with an attorney may be appropriate to help determine if there are other potential sources of recovery.
I had a case, number 0:24-cvus-01362, at the U.S. Federal Court in Washington, D.C., which was dismissed without prejudice. I attempted to appeal with case number 24-1632 and paid a $600 fee, but my claim for the amount of $10,000,000.00 was dismissed again. The government pointed out that my Award... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 6, 2025
Your situation with the dismissed federal court case is complicated, and the dismissal "without prejudice" means you may still have options to pursue your claim. When courts flag potential scams, they require substantial evidence to overcome those concerns, beyond what you may have... View More
I received a letter today from an insurance company claiming that I was found at fault for an 'accident' that happened three months ago at a car wash. I had to brake to avoid a roller that was about to hit me, which led to a car hitting me, and a third car hitting the second car. There... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 6, 2025
You should respond to the insurance company by requesting complete documentation of the claim, including proof of damages paid, repair estimates, and the date of repairs. Ask them in writing to provide evidence that connects any current damage to the specific incident three months ago at the car... View More
I won a storage unit full of items and found unopened boxes of Chinese vodka, 1980's wine, and other spirits inside. I have an invoice from the storage unit auction. Based on my research, the alcohol's retail pricing is between $100-$300 per bottle. I'm considering selling these... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2025
If you bought stuff and you own stuff, you should be able to sell stuff. We are not talking about enough to stock a local bar, I presume. That said, if it was in a storage unit it almost certainly was not stored right and likely is NO GOOD, so, good luck with it...
I am being sued for over $10,000 in small claims court in Los Angeles County by a contractor who claims I damaged his drone with a BB gun. The drone, worth approximately $500, was allegedly downed while he was filming telephone poles over my backyard without my consent. He texted a photo of an... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 5, 2025
You have several strong defense arguments for this small claims case. The contractor appears to lack proper documentation, as the authorization letter doesn't specifically name him or his company, which undermines his legal right to fly over your property. The excessive claim amount ($10,000... View More
I was in negotiations with my landlord when they automatically renewed my lease for 12 months and increased my rent by 8.28%, even though similar apartments in my complex are renting for less than I'm paying. The original lease, which started on 9/22/23, did not mention any rent increase terms... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 5, 2025
In California, the validity of your auto-renewal with a rent increase depends on several factors. Under California's AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act), most residential properties are subject to rent caps of 5% plus inflation, not exceeding 10% annually, though exceptions exist based on property... View More
I live in a low-income apartment complex in California. I was ill and didn't move my car, which was not parked in a loading zone and had no tow sign. My apartment manager called to have my car towed. I contacted the towing company to find out where it was taken. What can I do about this situation?
answered on Mar 7, 2025
Sorry you were ill. The tow company MUST report to the police within ONE HOUR of the tow and if you call them they MUST tell you where it is and how to get it out, IN WRITING...
I rent a storage unit for $249 per month, and they recently increased it to $307 per month. This is the third rent increase within the first year of renting, and I have not received any written notice for any of these increases. When I spoke to management after the second increase, they said... View More
answered on Mar 3, 2025
Feels like a bait and switch. THAT said, regardless of any CAP, it's HIGHLY likely that they must give you 30 day notice prior to raising the rent. One way to get them is to take your biz elsewhere and get the initial teaser rate...
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
