Fraud, PLC 10-1019342
Client lost her home to foreclosure in July 2008.  She had two mortgages on the property; the first mortgage is the one that foreclosed on the property.  Client did not hear anything from her second mortgage about any collection activity.  In early August 2010, Client received a phone call from a company in Texas that claimed that she committed fraud on her loan application.  The company threatened to sue her if she did not make a payment arrangement with them.  Client did not make any fraudulent statements on her loan application and would like assistance stopping further action by the collection company.
Email Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Recovery Fellow Leigh Ferrin
 
Contract Warranty, PLC 10-1019004
Client is an 83 year old homeowner.  A large retailer sold and installed a gas-powered water heater in his garage in 2006.  Three years later, the water heater exploded, causing flooding in the garage and bursting water pipes within the walls inside his home.  The water heater was under a ten year warranty.  The retailer replaced the water heater, but will not pay to fix the damages.  Client's homeowner's insurance policy also will not cover all of the resulting costs.  Client also received notification from the assessor's office that his home value has declined due to the flooding. Client seeks to be compensated for his out-of-pocket costs to fix his home and the diminution in value to his home. 
Email PLC Consumer Law Attorney Quyen Tu
 
Unfair Sales Practice, PLC 10-1018836
Clients are husband and wife who were heavily pressured into signing up for a vacation timeshare program in Las Vegas in July 2009.  Unbeknownst to them, clients also applied for a credit card when they signed up for the program.  When the credit card arrived a week later, they did not activate it since they had not knowingly authorized it.  But the company charged the cost of the timeshare to the credit card and clients are now stuck paying off the balance at a high interest rate.  Clients would like help in terminating this contract.  
Email PLC Consumer Law Attorney Quyen Tu

Student Loan Wage Garnishment, PLC 10-1018913
Client is a monolingual Spanish speaker. Client's wages are being garnished for a student loan that he took out 20 years ago to enroll in an auto mechanic vocational program in Los Angeles.  Client was led to believe that he was awarded a scholarship, and that he would not have to pay for his classes.  Unfortunately, what he signed was not a scholarship award but a promissory note.  Client finished the vocational program and received a certificate.  He moved to Santa Ana and did not hear anything about this debt until May 2010 when his employer notified him that 15% of his paycheck would be garnished.  He has three kids, and losing out on this money is very burdensome.  Client seeks assistance with stopping the wage garnishment and resolving the student loan matter.  PLC can provide an interpreter if necessary. 
Email PLC Consumer Law Attorney Quyen Tu

Business Scam, PLC 10-1018968
Client is 52 years old and just underwent surgery for breast cancer. She received an unsolicited phone call from an Irvine company; they promised her a free virtual body scan for diagnostics purposes. Once at the office, she was pressured to sign a 10 year contract for "platinum" annual scans with a $1,995 initiation fee and a $149 annual fee. The company opened a credit line for her, told her the interest rate was 11.5% and that she could pay the full amount off in one year if she made monthly payments of $96. According to a bill she received, the actual interest rate is 23.99%. The business card the client received shows a different company name than the contract she signed. When she called to inquire about the rate discrepancy, the company offered her a free colonoscopy scan. Client would like help getting her money back. 
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Collections, PLC 10-1018920
Client sold his car and on the same day filed a notice of transfer of ownership (a "pink slip") with the DMV.  Ten days later, the new owner parked the car illegally and it was towed. The towing company sought to charge client for towing and storing the car, and later it sold the debt to a collection agency.  Client has disputed the charge with the collection agency, made multiple phone calls and sent proof of his transfer of ownership twice, and yet he is still being asked to pay the debt.  Client seeks the assistance of pro bono counsel in resolving this matter.
Email PLC Consumer Law Attorney Quyen Tu