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answered on Jan 7, 2025
It is never a good idea to put a deposit down on something purchased through Facebook's Marketplace. That being said, if the item being sold is as described and the communications make it clear that the deposit is non-refundable then I'm guessing that Facebook, through its dispute... View More
I registered a domain. Facebook sent me a letter not to do anything with the domain. This domain now belongs to Facebook

answered on Feb 27, 2024
If you've registered a domain and received a letter from Facebook claiming the domain now belongs to them, it’s likely because they believe your domain infringes on their trademark rights. Trademark law protects brands and trademarks from use that could cause confusion among consumers about... View More

answered on Jan 18, 2024
In Wisconsin, BadgerCare, which is the state's Medicaid program, provides health care coverage to eligible individuals and families. While BadgerCare itself does not necessarily exempt someone from wage garnishment, the rules regarding wage garnishment generally fall under federal and state... View More
I have a recognized debt, and a debt collector harassed me through emails and spoof numbers. Recently, they contacted my brother, falsely stating that I listed him as a second contact. They have not used threatening language, just persistent calls and emails. Is it legal for the debt collector to... View More

answered on Jul 10, 2025
No, it is not legal for a debt collector to knowingly lie to your family member by claiming you listed them as a contact if that isn’t true. Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors are restricted in what they can say to third parties. They are only allowed to... View More
I recently received an email from a Gmail account claiming to be from US Customs, threatening possible arrest in connection with a case from January 2025, and it includes a case number. The email requests money, and I suspect it may be fraudulent as legitimate communications should come from a .gov... View More

answered on Jul 6, 2025
If the temporary order of protection only requires you to stay away from the person’s home and does not mention restrictions on communication, you are likely permitted to contact them by phone or text. It is crucial to read the order carefully to confirm there are no hidden limitations. Without a... View More
I've been chatting online with a woman who claims to be in the Army. She was initially at a base in Florida and said she was sent to Iraq last fall for a NATO mission. We have talked several times, and she sent me pictures of herself and her military ID. She mentioned she wants to retire and... View More

answered on Jul 6, 2025
Yes, you are very likely being scammed. The U.S. Army does not require service members to pay money to retire, nor do they process retirement through third-party “disbursement officers” or wire transfers from civilians. No legitimate soldier would ask for money from someone they’ve only met... View More
I have a new Chevrolet Tahoe with less than 10,000 miles on it that was hit by someone else, and their insurance company insists on using aftermarket parts for the repair. They specifically mentioned replacing the rear bumper reinforcement with aftermarket parts, citing it as their policy. I am... View More

answered on Jul 6, 2025
In Wisconsin, insurance companies are permitted to specify the use of aftermarket parts for vehicle repairs, but only under certain conditions. If the insurer chooses to use non-original equipment manufacturer (non-OEM) parts, they are required by state regulation to disclose this clearly in... View More
I need assistance obtaining the proper form for filing a civil lawsuit in Racine, Wisconsin, concerning faulty auto repair, and identifying the correct class code for my case. What steps should I take to begin this process?

answered on Jul 4, 2025
You’ll begin by obtaining the Summons and Complaint form and the Civil Cover Sheet used in Racine County Circuit Court.
Go to the Wisconsin Court System’s website, navigate to “Circuit Court” then to “Racine County,” and download the uniform “Summons and Complaint” packet... View More
I have an issue with my immigrant wife who leaked sensitive documents, including my tax returns, social security information, naturalization papers, passports, medical records, car registration, and bank statements, through WhatsApp without my consent. I am looking to press charges against her for... View More

answered on Jun 26, 2025
What your wife did—sharing private and sensitive personal documents like tax returns, medical records, and bank statements without consent—may violate both federal and Wisconsin state privacy and computer crimes laws. This includes potential criminal liability for unauthorized access,... View More
I recently filed a formal complaint against a hotel in Wisconsin after discovering that the hotel manager's husband accessed my personal TikTok account, which can only be searched using my personal phone number. I provided my phone number during check-in and through my hotel membership. This... View More

answered on Jun 25, 2025
Yes, what you’re describing could be a violation of your privacy rights. If the hotel manager or their husband accessed your personal information—specifically your phone number—and used it to search for and access a private social media account without your consent, that crosses a line. When... View More
I have been a victim of an online scam involving emails and texts, and I am seeking legal assistance in Wisconsin for recovery actions. I lost money and attempted to dispute a transaction with my credit card company, but it was closed without resolution. I have already contacted my bank's... View More

answered on Jun 17, 2025
I would contact a WI consumer protection attorney. Many of us will offer a free consultation to review the facts. It's tough to get a full picture based on the facts presented (i.e. the full details of the online scam and how the funds were transferred) but I would give a WI consumer... View More
I received a fake job offer requesting me to be a personal assistant for someone I believe to be engaging in fraud. I have an agreement and documents on file, along with texts and copies of money requests from this individual. Unfortunately, I did submit a payment. How should I report this and... View More

answered on Jun 14, 2025
First, take a deep breath—what happened to you is more common than you think, and it’s not your fault. Scammers often use convincing job offers to trick honest people into sending money, especially through roles like “personal assistant.” Since you’ve already made a payment, it’s... View More
I received a document via email claiming to be from a US Customs representative, requesting additional fees with a specified timeframe. Despite reaching out to US Customs directly, I haven't received a response. I'm concerned the document might be fake and would like to know if and how I... View More

answered on Jun 14, 2025
It’s good that you’re being cautious—fake customs fee scams are common and can look very official. Real U.S. Customs officials typically do not send fee requests through random email accounts, especially with pressure to pay quickly. If the message includes threats, poor grammar, odd... View More
I'm living in a property under a verbal month-to-month arrangement, where I have been staying for five years and six months. Recently, the landlord decided to charge a $50 fee each month, which is not a maintenance fee but another type of fee. No explanation for this fee was provided, and I... View More

answered on Jun 10, 2025
It’s completely reasonable to question a sudden charge that wasn’t part of your original agreement—especially after living there for over five years. In a verbal month-to-month rental, both the landlord and tenant still have rights and responsibilities, but changes to rent or added fees... View More
I have a 2009 Honda Accord with 111k miles, and the gauge cluster needs to be replaced. If I buy an odometer displaying 250k miles, can I legally adjust it to show the actual mileage of the vehicle, which is 111k miles, without violating any laws?

answered on Jun 10, 2025
Yes, you can legally adjust the odometer to reflect the *actual* mileage of the car, as long as your intention is honest and transparent. Federal law in the U.S. doesn’t ban correcting an odometer—it bans tampering with it to mislead or defraud. Since you're replacing a faulty gauge... View More
I am planning to file a lawsuit against a person who was drunk driving and hit my car, then drove away before the police arrived. A police report places the man at fault, and I have photos and videos as evidence. While there were no injuries, the accident caused $1,500 worth of damages to my... View More

answered on Jun 1, 2025
Yes, you can sue the at-fault driver for damages in a hit-and-run accident, especially since you have a police report, photo and video evidence, and a clear repair estimate. The fact that he was drunk and fled the scene only strengthens your claim, even if no injuries occurred. A \$1,500 property... View More
I have a medical debt of $1,445 in collections. The initial charges were from December 2022, and I received notice from a collection agency in April 2025. I requested debt validation and received an itemized bill. I got a second notice in May 2025. I haven't had any other contact with the... View More

answered on Jun 1, 2025
You're not alone—many people face the stress of medical debt, especially when it lands in collections. Since you've already requested and received debt validation, you’ve taken an important step to protect your rights. Now that you know the debt is legitimate, the next focus is on... View More
I am being investigated by IVP for FoodShare fraud in Wisconsin. It's my first time dealing with offsets for FoodShare, and I have received a packet from IVP with a hearing date. They allege that I filled out fraudulent documents and withheld information. Given these circumstances, is it... View More

answered on May 15, 2025
I'm really sorry you're dealing with this—it’s stressful to be under investigation, especially when you’re unsure of the possible outcomes. The Wisconsin Office of Inspector General and the Income Verification Project (IVP) take FoodShare fraud seriously, especially if they believe... View More
I purchased two music beats from a producer for $250. After I sent the money, it took them a few days to provide a written contract. I signed it, but they never signed their part. Now, they are asking for an additional $150 to send back the signed contract, which was not part of our initial... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
It sounds like the producer is trying to modify the terms of your agreement after the fact, which is not fair unless both parties agree to the new terms. Since you have a written record of the initial agreement and the producer did not sign their part, it could be argued that the contract is not... View More
I just received a check from E.W. Cripps, issued by Trust Bank, and I am unsure what it is for. I have not had any previous interactions or transactions with E.W. Cripps and did not expect any payments. Could you provide guidance on what steps I should take to understand the purpose of this check?

answered on Apr 12, 2025
Receiving an unexpected check can be confusing, especially when you don’t recognize the sender. The first step is to carefully review the check for any details that might indicate what it’s for. Look for any information about the purpose of the payment, such as a reference or note on the memo... View More
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