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Washington Consumer Law Questions & Answers
Q: Denied SSD benefits due to mistaken identity and IRS debt; seeking resolution advice.

I am seeking advice on dealing with being denied Social Security Disability benefits. I was a recipient for several years but lost eligibility due to income from marriage. After divorcing, I have been denied and forced to reapply and appeal for over five years. I recently found out my file was... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Lemon Law and Personal Injury for Washington on
Q: Washington State laws on dealership disclosure about vehicle damages to buyers.

I purchased a car from a dealership in Washington State in 2022. Before purchasing, I requested a Car Fax report, which showed that only the windshield and wheel bearings were replaced. The dealership verbally confirmed there was no damage to the car. A month ago, an Experian report revealed there... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Lemon Law for Washington on
Q: Legal options for non-disclosure of vehicle damages by dealership in Washington State.

I purchased a used vehicle from a dealership in 2022 and specifically requested a Car Fax report, which showed no reported damages or accidents. However, 2 1/2 years later, an Experian report indicated the vehicle was damaged 8 months before my purchase. The dealership replaced parts such as the... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Washington on
Q: Paid $2000 to career coach; no contract; refund issues in WA

I opted for a career coach and paid $2,000, but now I don't want to continue with the services. No contracts were signed, and the payment was made today. The coach is offering a 75% refund despite no services being used, citing the introductory call (advertised as free) as the reason for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Consumer Law and Internet Law for Washington on
Q: Can I report my ex's girlfriend for viewing my private photos without consent in WA?

I discovered that my ex allowed his new girlfriend to see my private photos without my consent. She admitted to this in a text, and I have numerous text messages as evidence. Can I file a report based on this evidence, and what legal actions can I take?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 27, 2025

Washington is a "two-party consent" state regarding private communications. Under Washington law, it's illegal to record private communications without the consent of all parties involved. Your situation involves private photos rather than recordings, which falls under different... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Washington on
Q: What can I do if my parcel from Aramex hasn't arrived and is not insured?

I was supposed to receive a parcel from Aramex containing my R3000 Nike shoes by March 4th, but it still hasn't arrived as of March 6th. I've contacted Aramex, but I haven't received any response from them. The parcel wasn't insured. What legal steps can I take to address this issue?

Merry A Kogut
Merry A Kogut
answered on Mar 5, 2025

Hello - you stated you were supposed to receive a package by March 4th and haven't received the pacage by March 6th, but today is March 5th, not 6th.

There is nothing "legally" that you can do if a package is one day late but ask for a refund if you paid extra for delivery by...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Consumer Law for Washington on
Q: Can Grocery Outlet enforce a policy against backpacks but not purses?

I'm wondering if Grocery Outlet can legally refuse to let me shop unless I leave my backpack at the counter, which to me appears to violate my 4th Amendment rights. They claim it is store policy, but they only enforce this on individuals with backpacks, not women with shoulder bags or purses.... View More

Merry A Kogut
Merry A Kogut
answered on Mar 4, 2025

This is not a violation of your rights. The 4th Amendment applies to government entities, not to private companies.

There are laws against discrimination (state and federal) that apply in some situations - for example, if the store rule only applied to men with daypacks, but not to women...
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1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Consumer Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for Washington on
Q: What are my rights to dispute a denied charge from a subscription service?

I subscribed to a meal/food delivery service in January 2025 and paid for the first week's meals using my debit card. After canceling the subscription service on January 25, 2025, I was unexpectedly charged by the same company on February 8, 2025. Upon contacting the merchant, I was not... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 24, 2025

You have several important rights when dealing with unauthorized charges after canceling a subscription service. Under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), you can dispute unauthorized debit card charges within 60 days of the statement containing the error, and the bank must investigate within... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Bankruptcy for Washington on
Q: Funds trapped with Swissquote Bank, multiple fees imposed, seeking legal action for fund retrieval and damages.

I invested my capital with Swissquote Bank and made a profit. However, my funds are now trapped, and the bank has imposed multiple fees beyond the initial 5% withdrawal fee stated in the terms and conditions. After paying $24,000 in withdrawal fees, I was asked to pay a $38,000 'Wallet... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 1, 2025

The situation you're describing has multiple warning signs of fraud rather than legitimate banking practices from Swissquote, which is a regulated Swiss financial institution that wouldn't typically impose escalating "fees" after initial withdrawals. These endless payment... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Banking, Civil Litigation, Consumer Law and Elder Law for Washington on
Q: Accounts frozen by US Bank, labeled transfers as fraudulent. Can attorney help?

I am 84 years old and live alone in my home on Orcas Island, Washington. Recently, my accounts with US Bank, totaling approximately $350,000, were frozen until March 11 after I attempted to send two wire transfers to friends. The bank labeled these transfers as fraudulent without any explanation or... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Consumer Law and Business Law for Washington on
Q: Does a Division Three Washington Court opinion have precedential value?

I would like to know if an opinion from Division Three of the Washington State Court of Appeals in a significant commercial case affecting Washington consumers and businesses has precedential value.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Constitutional Law and Education Law for Washington on
Q: Do teachers have the right to confiscate personal items for no reason? Even if I'm 18+? (Cascade high, Everett, Wa)

I'm a senior at Cascade High School in Everett WA, and my teacher is making a major change to the year-long syllabus, requiring students to put phones by her desk for the students to be marked present. I never take my phone out in class unless I get specific permission, so does she have the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 28, 2025

Your teacher does not have the right to confiscate your phone without cause, especially if you are not using it or causing a disruption. School policies generally allow for the restriction of phone use during class, but forcing students to hand over their phones as a requirement for attendance is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Animal / Dog Law and Constitutional Law for Washington on
Q: Is it better to just not say anything or say something? I feel sick knowing what i know

I know a huge pet cremation business that has cremated pets and not getting the paw print. Then using another dogs paw print instead. Would i get into trouble for knowing that? I feel like i should say something but I don't know what the cause and effect could come from it

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 27, 2025

It’s natural to feel conflicted when you know something wrong is happening, especially if it involves people’s trust in a business. If you’re worried about potential consequences, take a moment to reflect on why this is bothering you so deeply—it sounds like you value honesty and fairness,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Tax Law, Consumer Law and Contracts for Washington on
Q: Can a car dealership demand more money after purchasing a car due to “tax miscalculations”?

Hi! I live in Washington state. I bought and shipped a car from Illinois, and they correctly charged me the Washington state taxes and fees for the car. I financed the car, which out the door cost $37.7k before any down payment. Now, about 2 weeks after buying the car, the dealership called me to... View More

Merry A Kogut
Merry A Kogut
answered on Dec 23, 2024

This situation raises important questions about contract law and your rights as a consumer in Washington State. Here’s an analysis:

Key Legal Considerations

Binding Contract:

The purchase agreement you signed with the dealership is a legally binding contract. It should...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury, Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice for Washington on
Q: Can a Dr be liable for putting in mesh over mesh knowing it has failed n a recall on the mesh?

I had to have surgery because of a hernia, due to a failed mesh. At the time it was performed by labor and industry Dr. They did not remove the failed mesh, they reattached it and put another over it. Was that done knowing the bad mesh had recalls and not care because it was under labor and... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 1, 2025

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. The short answer is that they could be liable. But law firms would probably want to know more details about the mesh, the recall, the hernia, the surgery, and other elements of the matter. In terms of what you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Consumer Law and Collections for Washington on
Q: Does a husband have to accept from a process server a summons that names only the wife on it? Or has to give to her?

A process server came to our door trying to serve a summons to my wife and her name is the only one on it not mine. It’s not my credit account either. Do I by WA State law have to accept her summons if I’m approached by the server?

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Sep 14, 2024

No. You do not have to accept the summons.

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Employment Law, Education Law and Internet Law for Washington on
Q: What legal implications would need to be considered to create a LinkedIn style platform for minors under the age of 16?

I'm interested in creating an online platform similar to LinkedIn but specifically for individuals under the age of 16 who are looking for internship, mentorship, and volunteer opportunities. Given that LinkedIn currently restricts its users to those over 16, I want to understand the legal... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 6, 2024

Creating a LinkedIn-style platform for minors under 16 involves navigating several important legal considerations. Firstly, you must comply with child labor laws, which vary by state and regulate the types of work minors can do, the hours they can work, and the conditions under which they can work.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Consumer Law and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: In small claims, what if all evidence was not presented to defendant will judge still hear the case?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 31, 2024

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week.

The short answer is that it could depend on the judge and how material to the issue at hand the missing evidence is. As a general rule nationwide in small claims, the court is not likely to grant the same...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Business Law and Internet Law for Washington on
Q: Is it legal for uber eats to not refund me for a delivery not delivered?

I ordered from Ubereats for delivery and didn't receive it. I asked for a refund and they ask for a picture of the delivery. They got a picture of the ground because they didn't deliver. Then told me that it does not qualify for a refund because the order was not in the sent picture.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 8, 2024

Based on the situation you've described, it seems that Uber Eats may not be handling your refund request appropriately. Here are a few points to consider:

1. Uber Eats' refund policy: According to their terms and conditions, Uber Eats typically offers refunds for orders that were...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Immigration Law, Banking and Internet Law for Washington on
Q: Illegal way

If I wanted to get a test result in an illegal way, but I was deceived, I transferred money but never received a result, you can send this to ic3. In fact, I have not yet broken the law.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 12, 2024

I'm sorry to hear that you were deceived and lost money in this situation. Being scammed is awful and I empathize with how frustrating that must be. Even though you did not end up breaking the law, attempting to obtain test results illegally is still ill-advised.

If you believe you...
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