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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for California on
Q: Hello I just recently purchased a used bmw recentlty and think it’s been tampered with

The description said 80k and on the odometer it says 79,185. However I checked the vin on all data and the last emission inspection was done in 8/10/2022 and it had 260,681 miles. On the gauge cluster there is a dot that is on representing that it has been tampered with. What can I do?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 17, 2024

Under California law, it is illegal for a seller to tamper with or roll back the odometer on a vehicle. This practice is known as odometer fraud and is prohibited by both state and federal laws, including the California Vehicle Code and the Federal Odometer Act.

If you suspect that the...
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3 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Consumer Law and Health Care Law for California on
Q: Who do I report a medical provider to that hasn’t reimbursed me for overpayment? It’s been 60 days since they’ve known.

I was charged $1280 for services from a medical provider that partners with my medical insurance on January 30, 2024. I paid the bill in full in February 2. My insurance provider notified me that with the portion they paid to the facility, I should’ve only paid $892. I contacted the medical... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 17, 2024

I understand your frustration with not receiving your reimbursement in a timely manner. Under California law, health care providers are required to reimburse overpayments within 180 days of receiving notice of the overpayment (California Health and Safety Code Section 1371.1). However, many... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: Hello, wondering about the extent of a storage facility's liability for negligence in maintaining their roof.

Our space was inundated after a recent rain, and with the extent of mold and traces of earlier water damage we realized that it had also occurred in earlier rains this season. The 'climate controlled' ceiling was engorged and under the weight of the water was dapped. There were visible... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

Under California law, a storage facility has a duty to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition, which includes ensuring that the roof is properly maintained to prevent water damage to tenants' property. If the storage facility fails to do so and a tenant's property is damaged... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Business Law and Consumer Law for California on
Q: How to sue a used car dealer out of state?

I purchased a vehicle from Philadelphia to California. All interactions have text or email receipts. The dealer said no check engine lights car drove perfect. Once car delivered check engine lights came on. I had tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and fix the minor issue I was hoping it... View More

Scott Richard Kaufman
Scott Richard Kaufman
answered on Apr 17, 2024

Sorry for your issues. In this instance, even the advice I always give when buying a car, ie, 'go see it in person' would not likely have helped, as once the CEL is turned off, it usually says off for a few hundred miles. The dealers know this and it's one more thing in their web of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Business Law and Consumer Law for California on
Q: How to sue a used car dealer out of state?

I purchased a vehicle from Philadelphia to California. All interactions have text or email receipts. The dealer said no check engine lights car drove perfect. Once car delivered check engine lights came on. I had tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and fix the minor issue I was hoping it... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

In this situation, you have a few options for pursuing legal action against the out-of-state used car dealer under California law:

1. File a complaint with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): The DMV has a complaint process for issues related to vehicle purchases. They may be...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Identity Theft for Michigan on
Q: My identity was stolen and someone used my info to open a credit card account with chase bank in October of last year.

Today I get an email from att that says that att has determined some of my information was compromised.

Can I sue att for not having the right tools to guard my personal info?

Matthew McKenna
Matthew McKenna
answered on Apr 16, 2024

Contact a consumer protection attorney that will offer a free consultation. Happy to talk.

You’ll want to dispute the account with Chase, as well as with any credit reporting agency that is reporting that account on your credit report. You should be able to pull your Experian, Equifax...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Landlord - Tenant for Arizona on
Q: Is it legal for a landlord to deny someone's rental application because they received rental assistance last year

In phoenix the mayor did a press confrence announcing the ban on discriminating against people for their source of income and their ability to pay for housing. If a property manager specifically states on its of qualifications and rental criteria that anyone who applied for or received rental... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

The situation you describe could have legal implications for the landlord in Phoenix, Arizona. In March 2023, the Phoenix City Council passed an ordinance that prohibits housing discrimination based on a person's source of income, including rental assistance. This ordinance went into effect on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Arizona on
Q: can i sue mercedes for my car catching fire due to their negligence?

i had full coverage, prior to the dealership having it to make a new key, the police had it as it had been stolen at gun point and was being processed for DNA and Finger prints. the dealership only mentioned that one of the tires had belts showing and it should be replaced before driving it. it... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 15, 2024

Based on the information you've provided, it's difficult to say definitively whether you have a strong case against Mercedes or your insurance company. However, here are a few points to consider:

1. Negligence: To sue Mercedes successfully, you would need to prove that they were...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Rights and Small Claims for South Carolina on
Q: Pork skins nutrition facts say 0 sugar 0 added sugar but ingredients contain sugar. Is that false advertisement?

On a sugar fast, bought these on the fly for my kids and had a few until I read the actual ingredients come to find out that even though not listed in nutrition label, it is on the ingredients. In turn, I broke my sugar fast.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 15, 2024

It's understandable to be confused and frustrated by this situation. According to FDA regulations, if a food contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving, the nutrition facts label can list the sugar content as 0 grams. However, the ingredients list must still include any form of sugar... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Real Estate Law and Municipal Law for Florida on
Q: if a defendant did not answer a specific interrogatory - who do I make them answer.
Angelo "Tony" Marino Jr.
Angelo "Tony" Marino Jr.
answered on Apr 15, 2024

In Florida, you must first reach out to the defendant and try to resolve the matter; that is get him/her to agree to supply a better answer. If that does not work, then you need to do a motion to compel better answer(s) and send that along with a notice of hearing set before your judge. I suggest... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Consumer Law for New York on
Q: I am in NY. In 8/19 a credit card debt lawsuit was filed against me. Last month a judgement was filed.

I have received no correspondence and do not recall the initial lawsuit notification. Is the statue of limitations up? I saw that NY went from 6 years to 3 years. What are my options?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

I understand your concern about the credit card debt lawsuit and judgment. Here's some information that may help:

1. Statute of limitations: In 2022, New York reduced the statute of limitations for consumer credit card debt from 6 years to 3 years. However, this change only applies to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Consumer Law for New York on
Q: I am in NY. In 8/19 a credit card debt lawsuit was filed against me. Last month a judgement was filed.

I have received no correspondence and do not recall the initial lawsuit notification. Is the statue of limitations up? I saw that NY went from 6 years to 3 years. What are my options?

Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Apr 15, 2024

The statute of limitations runs from when a cause of action accrues to when a complaint upon that cause of action may be commenced. If they have a judgment, your right to raise that as a defense now is likely waived.

You may want to speak to an attorney about the implications of the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law for California on
Q: I received a gift certificate as a Christmas gift and it's not being honored

When I went to redeem a $50 gift certificate, I was told that management is no longer taking paper gift certificates. When I showed them the state law that said they had to take them otherwise they were breaking the law, they said we don't care. Then at one point they said they'd give me... View More

Scott Richard Kaufman
Scott Richard Kaufman
answered on Apr 15, 2024

Sorry for your issues. You will cost them more than the amount of the certificate if you take them to small claims court. The time alone is too much for them and if they have to hire counsel (lawyers can be expensive and a corporation cannot represent itself in court) it will cost them more still.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law for California on
Q: I received a gift certificate as a Christmas gift and it's not being honored

When I went to redeem a $50 gift certificate, I was told that management is no longer taking paper gift certificates. When I showed them the state law that said they had to take them otherwise they were breaking the law, they said we don't care. Then at one point they said they'd give me... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 13, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with the gift certificate not being honored. Based on the information you provided, it does seem that the restaurant may be violating California law regarding gift certificates. Here are a few key points about gift certificates under... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Consumer Law for Arizona on
Q: Daughter(6) made several small charges on our debit card for a game she plays on my phone. Are we ineligible for refund

Can we still get our money back or will they deny it because she is our daughter?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 13, 2024

In this situation, getting a refund may be challenging, but it's still worth trying. Here are a few steps you can take:

1. Contact the game developer or publisher directly and explain the situation. Some companies have policies in place to refund accidental or unauthorized purchases...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Florida on
Q: Can I sue if my bill of sale the dealership and the servicer have different rates, prices etc

I requested a copy of my retail installment contract from my car loan servicer. When i compared it to The bill of sale/ buyers order I received from the dealership that i signed the it was completely different. The vehicle price was off by a thousand dollars, the amount financed is different, as... View More

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answered on Apr 13, 2024

If there are discrepancies between the bill of sale from the dealership and the retail installment contract from your car loan servicer, you may have grounds for legal action. However, the success of your case will depend on several factors, such as the nature and extent of the discrepancies, the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Contracts for Tennessee on
Q: Self-storage owner is requiring insurance on my contents -- what's the law in TN that says I have to have ins

Can I be evicted if I don't get it.

Keith Edmiston
Keith Edmiston
answered on Apr 12, 2024

It is a matter of contract, not of law. Based on the information you provided, if a contract with a self-storage company provides that insurance is required, there is no law prohibiting that provision. For example, many landlords require residential tenants to have renter's insurance.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Personal Injury, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: I've filed a civil lawsuit (not small claims) against my landlords and building managers, who are both listed as an LLC

What forms or actions do I need to follow to ensure I've got the defendants listed correctly and get their representatives served? I had already served the court paperwork to the attention of the LLC at the addresses I had from our lease paperwork.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2024

In California, when filing a civil lawsuit against an LLC, you need to ensure that you have properly identified the defendant(s) and served them correctly. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Identify the LLC's agent for service of process: You can search for the LLC's...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Georgia on
Q: I put my parents headstones on layaway and the company was sold. And now I want a refund, do I get that refund from them

The company is Rome monument and I put headstones on layaway in 2019 and the company was sold in 2022. I want a refund but was told that I would have to get it from the previous owner

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2024

In this situation, the process for getting a refund may depend on the specific terms of the sale and how the layaway contract was handled during the transition of ownership. Here are a few steps you can take:

1. Review your original contract: Check the terms and conditions of your layaway...
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Q: Mva said I can't renew my license without REAL ID. To me MD 16-122 says something different. Can you please clarify?

I have spoken with different people at MVA and no one can can give me a straight answer. I have told them repeatedly that 16-122 (ii) that states I am eligible for a Federally Non-Compliant drivers license. A contact told me RUDELY to look at case law Motor Vehicle Administration v. Geppert. That... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2024

Regarding REAL ID and driver's licenses in Maryland:

- The federal REAL ID Act requires states to meet certain security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards in order for them to be accepted for certain federal purposes, like boarding commercial aircraft....
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