Consumer Scams Story

Story

I heard a knock on the door and opening it saw a nice looking young man with a kind voice and solid handshake. He told me that he had heard about the loss of my husband and knew that he had suffered with cancer. He asked how I was doing, (he was so kind), I invited him in. He explained that he understood how financially draining long illnesses can be on the family budget and he knew I didn't want to be a burden to my children. He told me that I could actually get all the money I needed by using my home as collateral, said he knew that my late husband wouldn't want me worrying about money.
I couldn't believe I was fooled. Maybe it was because I was so desperate, but the thought that I came so close to being homeless is devastating. I felt like an old fool. I am so glad I asked for help because I couldn't bring myself to tell the kids. The volunteer attorney got them to forgive all the prepayment penalties and the local bank gave me a new loan that I could afford (the one the nice young man offered cost $100 more a month than I received to live on!) I am so grateful for the help. I still have my home and my memories.

by: Francis

QUESTIONS

  • I owe a debt to a creditor for medical expenses. The creditor has increased the debt by charging me a penalty for not paying on time. Is this legal? Are all late fees penalties?
  • My uncle is 82 and terminally ill. He's got $75k in credit card limits...he's taken out 50K in cash advances has transferred into his sons accounts. He owns a home with his wife, but his name is coming off of the house. He's done this to leave some $ to his heirs. His wife will pay the minimums on the credit cards after his death until she sells the house, then gift that money to her daughter. What's the legal ramifications of this after his death to his heirs. There will be no estate.
  • I am being sued for a past credit card debt from 2002. What is the statute of limitations for collection and can the new creditor garnish my wages?
  • I have a house in AZ, going through a divorce if I stop making the mortgage payment can AZ make me pay the payment? I am on State disability and S.S.
  • In az does the lender need to notify the deptor in writing when and where the auction is to be held before the sale of the vehical
  • We are senior citizens. A bank is offering us a home loan that we assumed was fixed interest-the rate dropped a fraction, even-then I happened to notice an unfamiliar phrase with a tiny checked box-'demand feature'. I looked it up: the bank can demand payment, calling the loan, at any time without giving a reason. It said that some states prohibit that practice. Is Arizona one? Calling the loan could destroy us and force the property into foreclosure.
  • My late husband incurred a car repair shop debt before we met. After he died, I started getting letters from an attorney for the shop saying I was responsible for the bill now. Is this true?
  • Is a dept. collection company allowed to garnish my disability income
  • When a spouse passes away and has debt in his/her name only, like credit cards, and or contractual obligations for satellite services or cell phone service that charge fee for early termination, etc.- is the remaining spouse responsble for that debt and fulfilling contractual obligation?
  • my father( 92)was admitted into nursing home and his SS is paying for it .My mother is (89) and still living in her home with my niece caring for her.My mother only receives SS and a small pension and is having a hard time just paying her reg bills.She has about 13,000 dollars in credit car debt which she has stopped paying .Can the CC companies take her house .

STORIES

  • I just helped my mother, age 89, deal with her Medicare HMO. . .
  • He told me that I could actually get all the money I needed by using my home as collateral. . .
  • I just helped my mother, age 89, deal with her Medicare HMO. . .

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FIND LEGAL HELP

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OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES

  • State Bar of Arizona
    www.azbar.org
  • Maricopa County Bar
    www.maricopabar.org
    Referral number 602-257-4434
  • Pima County Bar
    www.pimacountybar.org
    Referral number 520-623-4625
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    800-799-7233
  • Bankruptcy Court Self Help Center
    866-553-0893
  • Certified Legal Document Preparer Program
    Link

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