Protect Packages from Porch Pirates

A close up of someone picking a package up off a doormat on a porch

Millions of people shop online everyday, but statistics show that the prevalence of thieves who steal deliveries from doorsteps - colloquially known as "porch pirates" - has gone up alongside the rise in online shopping. These opportunistic thieves cruise neighborhoods looking for unattended packages to purloin, and, once stolen, it may feel like there is little you can do to get your money or your purchase back. Your attorney through your membership in our Legal Protection Subscription Plans for Individuals & Families can help you by going over purchasing agreements with the business you ordered from as well as the delivery company to go over any refund clauses to make sure they're holding up their end of the bargain so you may get refunded if your purchases ever get stolen from your porch. Learn more about all the benefits of membership and read on for a few tips on preventing porch piracy.

• Have a locked receptacle on your porch where delivery drivers can put your packages

• Require a signature from someone in your household to accept all deliveries

• Have packages sent to and kept at the Post Office until you pick them up

• Install security cameras

• Have packages delivered to your work

• Maintain a Post Office box where you can collect deliveries

Don't take risks and confront package thieves. A physical altercation with a thief can - believe it or not - put you at risk for being responsible if the thief is injured on your property. Your attorney through our Legal Protection Plans for Individuals & Families can go over purchasing and delivery agreements with you so you can better understand your rights and responsibilities - as well as the responsibilities of the seller and the delivery company - when it comes to thieves stealing your deliveries. Learn more about all the benefits of membership or sign up today!

Your Guide To A New Credit Card

A close up of a hand holding a credit card

It's a familiar sight: you open your mailbox and see a bunch of envelopes... and half of them turn out to be credit card offers. Your email inbox often looks the same. Credit cards can be a great way of building or rebuilding credit, but it's important to understand the terms and conditions that come along with accepting offers of new lines of credit. Your attorney through our Legal Protection Subscription Plans for Individuals & Families can help you understand the legal language in these agreements and contracts, protecting you and your money before you ever sign on the dotted line. Learn more about our Legal Subscription Plans and read on for a few tips regarding new credit cards.

A "Low Interest Rate" offer is a familiar hook that credit card companies use to lure in new customers, but it is important to understand the terms of the offer. Low interest rates are often billed as "introductory," meaning that they end after a period of time and the interest rate will go up (in some cases, dramatically) when that period ends. This can lock you into high payments that you may not be able to afford. Make sure you understand what the interest rates will be during the introductory period and what they will be when they expire as this will have an enormous impact on your ability to repay.

Another interest rate-related item is that there may be different interest rates depending on the type of transaction. For example, cash advances often carry much higher interest rates than consumer spending, While this information is included with your agreement when you sign up, it is often in fine print and is sometimes worded to be deliberately confusing. An attorney will be able to look over the agreement and tell you what the contract states the interest rates will be for various types of transactions.

A missing or late payment can void the low introductory interest rate and incur additional fees. Knowing when payments are due is critical, and, if you choose to pay by mail, make sure that you have allowed for ample time for the payment to be delivered, sorted, and applied to your account before the due date. Electronic and automatic payments can alleviate this problem.

How you pay can also add fees. This is information that is likely buried in the fine print of your agreement, but some payment methods actually incur processing fees, most commonly when making payments via telephone. Make sure that you know which payment methods have an additional fee attached to avoid them.

Exceeding your credit limit can also have major consequences. Many people think that if you try to spend more on your credit card than the credit limit you have allows that the transaction won't go through, but this is often not the case. Some credit card companies allow you exceed your credit limit so that they can charge you substantial fees when it happens. These fees and penalties add up quickly and make your debt much larger than your credit limit.

In fact, using credit cards can have all kinds of fees. In addition to late fees, payment method fees, overcharge fees, and administration fees, you can also be charged for using ATMs, balance transfers, and more, including an annual fee just for having the card.

Credit card companies know that virtually no one actually reads the fine print in the cardholder agreements, but all of this information is there. When people do read it, it is often written in such a way as to be difficult to understand (in legalese, so to speak)and printed in nearly unreadable font sizes. Credit card agreements are generally available to print from the credit card company's web site, and you can alter the font size to make it more readable. it is very important to your finances that you take the time to read and understand what you are agreeing to when you accept a credit card offer. Your rights and responsibilities are laid out in these documents, but credit card companies don't make it terribly easy for you.

If you are interested in getting a new credit card but have difficulty reading the fine print and need help understanding what it means for you and your money, your attorney through our Legal Protection Subscription Plans for Individuals & Families will be able to help by going over agreements and contracts from credit card companies, contractors, utilities, and other services before you sign so you know exactly what you're agreeing to. It's just one of the hundreds of benefits available to you for just one low, monthly fee through our Legal Protection Plans. Learn more about all the benefits of membership or sign up today!

Reducing Debt

A young man sits with his head in his hand in an office while another young man goes over paperwork across from him at a desk

Millions of Americans struggle with debt, and finding a way out of what can feel like an overwhelming obstacle can feel difficult, if not impossible. Luckily, members of our Legal Protection Subscription Plans for Individuals & Families can get legal advice and assistance to negotiate debt settlements with your creditors or help with a collection issue, all for just one, low monthly fee. Learn more about the benefits of membership and read on for a few tips about managing debt.

Gather Your Information

The first step is almost always the hardest, so start by making a list of your creditors and how much you owe. If some debts have gone to collections, take note of the original creditor and the company managing the collection action. Gather letters, invoices, bills, and other pertinent documents as your attorney will need to review them.

Make Sure The Debt Is Yours

It happens more often than people think. An entire cottage industry of fraudulent collection companies use intimidation tactics to convince people to pay debts that aren't theirs. Some of these companies will try to get you to pay for a family member's debt. Additionally, cases of mistaken identity do happen in the collection business, so carefully examine all bills you receive to ascertain if the debt really is yours.

Create A Budget

Managing debt means knowing what you owe and how much you can afford to pay to whittle down your debt. This requires taking a long, hard look at your finances and cutting unnecessary purchases and expenses where possible, as well as committing to a certain amount each month toward your debt repayment. Even a small amount will make a difference over time.

Decide Which Debt Is A Priority

Developing a strategy for paying back your debts can also be helpful. Know which debts are secured and which are unsecured. Secured debts are typically for larger purchases, such as your house or your car, so making these your top priority will mean that you don't lose these assets. Your next priority will be to any court-ordered payments, such as child support or alimony, as you don't want to risk an issue with the courts. After these, it's often helpful to organize debts by interest rate so that you are paying more to your highest interest rate debts, thus paying them off faster, lowering your total debt over time. Lastly, any debts that are already in collections or are soon headed that way will need to be dealt with either through negotiating a payment plan or some form of consolidation in order to avoid any additional legal fees.

Negotiate Payment Plans

Many creditors are happy to negotiate payments or a settlement amount that is lower than what they say you owe them. Make sure to get the agreement in writing, and your attorney through our Legal Protection Plans can help you negotiate with creditors, collection agencies, and others to lower your monthly payments. Your attorney can also review contracts and documents for such agreements you've negotiated yourself to protect your rights and your money.

Consolidation

While consolidation is one way to handle mounting debt, it is worth noting that there are fraudulent entities in this industry, as well; our attorneys hear from members all the time who were taken in by promises from consolidation companies to reduce or eliminate debt and the promises never materialized. Review contracts and agreements with consolidation companies with your attorney to make sure that you're not being taken advantage of - or will end up paying more than you owe - before you sign any paperwork with a consolidation company.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy isn't the black mark that some people think it is; it doesn't mean that you're a failure if you have to declare bankruptcy. In fact, bankruptcy can provide you with the recovery and new start that you may need. As always, your attorney through our Legal Protection Plans can help you decide if bankruptcy is the right choice for your financial well being and assist you with the paperwork and documentation needed to file for bankruptcy in your state and county.

In the end, there are many ways to manage debt and your attorney will be able to help you in numerous ways to get you back on your feet and thriving again, all for one low, monthly subscription fee. Learn more about all the benefits of membership in our Legal Protection Subscription Plans for Individuals & Families or sign up today!

Your Finances This Holiday Season

A display featuring a plain wreath made of white branches on the left, a decorated wreath made from evergreen boughs on the right, pinecones, ornaments, pine garland, and stockings on a fireplace mantle

According to a recent poll, more shoppers are paying for holiday purchases with credit, and of those, more than 50% couldn't pay off those purchases. Overspending is nothing new during the holiday shopping season, but with recent inflation and other economic downturns, how can you take control of your holiday spending? If you ever have questions about consumer finance issues - from agreements for store credit or memberships to credit card fraud or identity theft - your attorney through our Legal Protection Plans for Individuals & Families can give you advice for your specific situation, read through agreements and contracts, and help you if you become a victim of identity theft, fraud, or other consumer finance legal issues. Learn more about the benefits of membership and read on for a few spending tips this holiday season.

Set A Budget

Plan your budget by setting a realistic limit and sticking to it. Make a list of everyone you want to get a gift for and make a plan for what you want to spend overall and for each person or event. Discuss spending limits for gifts with friends, family, and co-workers, if needed.

Thoughtful Gifts Vs. Expensive Gifts

Not every gift needs to be expensive to show someone you care. Creative, thoughtful gifts are often more special than pricey presents. Think about the things that those on your gift list are into, and look into customized, simple gifts, like a customized apron for the baker in your life.

Coupons & Sales

There are more - and sometimes better - options than shopping on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Keeping your eyes peeled for December sales events outside of the big sales days sometimes gets you even better deals!

Make A Shopping List

Create a list with everything you plan to buy for the holiday season and what you will spend on those items, and then stick to it. While you're out shopping, try not to get distracted by the holiday displays... they're put there precisely for that reason: to distract you and get you to buy things you don't need on impulse.

Baked Goods & Cards

While we want to buy a gift for everyone in our lives, sometimes, a great way to do that and stay in budget is to make goodie bags with cookies and other treats for co-workers and others, and a heartfelt card is also a good choice to spread holiday cheer.

Sometimes Last Minute Shopping Works

While we try to get everything done for the holidays well in advance, sometimes good deals can be had by waiting until closer to the holiday before we buy. Certain holiday items will almost certainly go on sale as the holiday nears - wrapping supplies and candy are two examples of this - and, those after holiday clearance sales can get you a major jump for next year without breaking the bank.

The old saying goes, it's the thought that counts, and we are all watching our budgets this year. If you find yourself needing advice about debt, your provider attorney through our Legal Protection Plans for Individuals & Families can give you advice and answer questions about credit card debt, bankruptcy, store membership agreements, credit accounts, and more consumer finance topics, all for one low, monthly subscription fee. Learn more about all the benefits of membership or sign up now!

Navigating Inflation

A woman looks at a receipt with her hand to her head while sitting at a table in front of a laptop computer

Rising inflation is causing American families additional added stress this fall. With back-to-school shopping and the holidays coming up, families are feeling the pinch at the pump and the register. Everyone is trying to find ways to make their dollars stretch further and minimize costs, and with prices on consumer goods spiking, despite many families cutting back on additional spending this year, experts predict a 35% increase in spending compared to 2019. Even in an economy that favors consumers, the holiday season can place a financial burden on families. How can an attorney help you through high prices? Many retailers offer special deals if you sign up for various programs, and your attorney can review those contracts for you, to help you understand all the legal intricacies of what you're agreeing to when you sign up, all for no additional fee when you're a member of our Legal Protection Subscription Plans for Families & Individuals. In the meantime, here are a few tips that may help you and your family manage inflation.

Take Advantage of Discounts

Some retailers offer special discounts and limited time specials throughout the holiday shopping season. Many offer discounts for veterans, teachers, college students, and more. Take advantage of every discount you're entitled to and consider participating in retailers' rewards programs, as well, particularly if you already shop at that store. Make sure to read the fine print or have your attorney review the contract before you sign on the dotted line.

Try To Time Your Spending

Watch for sales and try to time your purchases of non-essential items to when they're on sale. Retailers have many sales, closeouts, and special promotions throughout the holiday shopping season, so keeping an eye out for when the items you want will be on sale is a great way to save some money.

Watch Overspending

Think about things you might need that could be purchased used, or trade with other families for things you need with things you don't use anymore. Joining "buy nothing" groups on social media is one way to find out about these trading opportunities. Second hand shops, consignment stores, and thrift shops are other alternatives to getting items you need but don't want to pay full price for, and maybe make a little back by selling things you no longer need.

Re-purpose Things You Already Own

There are many times we go through closets, attics, basements, sheds, garages, and storage units and find things that we already own but we forgot we had. Many of these items can be put to use, used for something else, or sold online for cash.

During a high inflationary period, it's important to have protection in place so you're not taken advantage of in an already trying time. Maximizing financial stability starts with making sure you, your family, and your rights are protected, and an attorney will be able to help you navigate consumer finance legal issues quickly and easily and prevent you from losing more money over a sour deal. Learn more about our Legal Protection Subscription Plans for Individuals & Families, or sign up today!

Successfully Working With A Contractor

A pair of contractors walk through a building in progress

Whether you're planning a renovation or a home repair, hiring the right contractor is extremely important. It's critical to know as much as possible about the company you're hiring to work on your house or project, getting multiple bids, preventing miscommunication, understanding any contracts, and knowing what to do if there is a dispute. Our network of attorneys through our Legal Protection Subscription Plans for Individuals & Families can help you through the entire process of working with a contractor, including going over bids, contracts, and helping you through the legal process if there should be a dispute. Learn more about all the benefits of membership and read on for a few tips on working with contractors.

The Contract

It is essential that you have a contract when hiring a contractor before work begins on your home. Get everything in writing, and make sure that your contract covers:

• A complete and thorough description of the job and the work to be done

• Pricing for the job and each part of the job

• How and when payments are to be made

• Any guarantees or warranties offered by the builder

• The dates work is to begin and end

• Signature of both parties

• Payment

As mentioned above, an important item to include in the contract is a payment schedule. An example of this might work something like: A down payment before work begins, another payment at the halfway point in the project, and a final payment at the completion of the job. Another payment schedule might be weekly payments based on work completed to date. Having a payment schedule can ensure that the work is getting completed in a timely and correct fashion.

The Right to Cancel

The FTC and some local laws allow for you to cancel work if you need to. An attorney well versed in the laws of your locality will be able to give you detailed and accurate advice regarding your rights in this situation.

Document The Work

Take pictures, keep change orders, bills, and invoices. These items will be useful to make sure the project stays on track and on time. Make sure everything has a date on it and keep your documentation in a safe place and altogether.

What If There's A Dispute

It's a sad fact that things sometimes don't work out, and if you are unhappy with the work or the work wasn't completed and the contractor won't return your calls, an attorney will be able to walk you through the legal aspects, but here are a few suggestions of things to try:

Contact Them

Be respectful, as there may have simply been a miscommunication. If they do not treat you with respect, make sure to document the call and what was said while it is fresh in your mind. If they work for a company, contact them and explain the situation.

Send a Formal Letter

Writing a formal demand letter is often enough to get the contractor back out to finish the work. If you are not comfortable writing such a letter or don't know what to say, our network of lawyers will be able to draft and send a letter on your behalf at no additional fee. Send the registered letter through the postal service to ensure delivery.

File Complaints

The Better Business Bureau, the Contractor Recovery Fund, Homeowners' Recovery Fund, and state and local agencies can help you handle a contractor who has disappeared and/or is not returning your calls.

Get Legal Advice

Our network of dedicated, experienced attorneys can write letters on your behalf, give you legal advice, look over contracts, and protect your rights, all for one low, monthly fee.

If You're A Contractor:

Sometimes, contractors who do good work and complete a job still come across clients who say they're unhappy and refuse to pay. What can contractors do if this happens to them?

Document everything from Day One on the job.

Take photos and videos before you start work, at the end of each work day, and at the end of a job. This gives you a dated timeline of the work.

File A Lien

File what is known as a Mechanic's Lien on the property. This is a guarantee of payment for contractors, so that, when a contractor performs the work and the client refuses to pay, the contractor can file a lien and demand payment before the lien is removed.

File A Breach of Contract

When the terms of the contract are met and the customer still refuses to pay, this is a breach of contract and contractors can then take the client to court for failing to uphold the terms of the agreement.

Whether you're a homeowner or a contractor, having a lawyer in your back pocket (literally, if you use our app!), protecting your rights, your property, and your livelihood is your number one priority. With our Legal Protection Subscription plans for Individuals & Families and for Small Businesses, you can protect your rights, your property, and your work for just pennies per day!

No Surprises Act Prevents Medical Bill Surprises

A doctor in an exam room writes on a piece paper on a clip board

Nobody enjoys getting a bill, but it's twice as unwelcome to get a bill you weren't anticipating. Most Americans either have experienced receiving a surprise medical bill themselves or know someone who has. A recent survey found that an average of 18% of ER visits result in at least one unexpected bill. But there is some relief: Congress passed the No Surprises Act that went into effect on January 1, 2022 to specifically prevent these kinds of unwanted surprises. Laws regarding surprise medical bills - particularly new ones, like the No Surprises Act - can be confusing and tricky to navigate, particularly if you have recently received an unexpected medical bill. Our network of dedicated, experienced attorneys can walk you through the consumer protections of the No Surprises Act and what to do if you get a surprise medical bill. Learn more about our legal protection plans and read on for an overview of the No Surprises Act.

The New Rules of the No Surprises Act

• The Act bans surprise bills stemming from emergency care - such as treatment in an ER, ambulances, or when you are unknowingly treated at an in-network facility but by an out-of-network physician - and requires that co-pays and other cost sharing be determined by in-network rates.

• The Act prohibits unexpected billing from out-of-network providers if you go to an in-network hospital for care, and any cost sharing from those visits will be determined from in-network rates.

• The Act requires that facilities and providers send straightforward notices that explain all applicable billing, protections, and contact information.

Consumer Protections for Uninsured Patients

Uninsured patients are considered self-paying and must cover all bills out-of-pocket. The No Surprises Act protects uninsured patients by requiring providers to give a "good faith estimate" of total costs before giving you non-emergency care. This estimate must include projected costs for treatment as well as any expected additional costs. If the final bill you receive exceeds the good faith estimate by more than $400, you have the right to challenge the charges.

Your State May Provide Additional Protections

More than 30 states have introduced safeguards against surprise medical billing, but only 17 are considered comprehensive. These 17 states offer extended protections that cover in-network emergency situations, but they only apply to certain types of insurance and in specific scenarios.

While Federal laws cover most insurance plans, some state law provisions may differ from Federal law, and in those cases, Federal laws defer to the states.

If you have questions about a medical bill you received or want to find out if the No Surprises Act can help you with a medical bill, you can contact your attorney through our network of lawyers using your subscription to our legal protection plans any time of the day or night, 24/7 using our app or by telephone. And at just $29.95 per month, it pays for itself the very first time you use it. Your attorney can give you advice on the consumer protections as they relate to your specific situation, including your insurance, your state law, and even write letters or make phone calls on your behalf. Learn more about all the benefits of membership in our legal subscription plans or sign up now!

The Right To Repair and What It Means For Consumers

A repair technician works on a piece of electronics

Giant tech companies like Apple and Microsoft have long imposed rules and restrictions on consumers regarding repairs on their products, limiting who, how, and where devices such as video game consoles, cell phones, and more can be repaired. Farmers and others who have purchased heavy equipment and farm implements have also been subjected to cumbersome restrictions when machines used for work and livelihoods break down, meaning that they must wait for a certified repair tech to fix their expensive equipment. A new law in the United States will loosen these restrictions, allowing consumers more choices when it comes to having purchases repaired. This rule would stop manufacturers from preventing consumers and independent repair services from repairing devices.

What Does This Mean For US Residents?

This Right to Repair law will:

•  Create more competition in the marketplace

• Increase wages for American workers

• Lower repair costs for consumers and farmers

Agriculture will probably see the biggest benefit to this new rule, who, for decades, have been forced to pay for costly repairs to farming equipment by the manufacturers like John Deere, who withholds software that is needed; even basic repairs and maintenance must be done at a dealership. Additionally, farmers will now be allowed to sue processors if the farmers are retaliated against or underpaid. The rules also block companies from labeling food as a "Product of the USA" if the product was produced or processed overseas.

Consumers Benefits and Risks

This rule will make repairing products you've purchased more affordable and will expand options when looking to get products repaired. Big tech and other manufacturers are warning that repairing products yourself could pose health and safety concerns, warning that the reason they have required that they - pr certified repair technicians - fix broken products is due to dangerous outcomes if consumers repair tractors incorrectly or install batteries. Environmental advocates have come out in support of the new rules saying that consumers will repair more products rather than throw them out due to the cost of having them repaired.

If you have questions about consumer law, your provider attorney will be able to answer them for you, including issues surrounding the repair and maintenance of tech or expensive equipment. In fact, with our legal subscription plans for individuals and families, you'll have access to dedicated, qualified attorneys 24/7 through our app, and your attorney will be able to give you advice, answer questions, review documents, and make calls and send letters on your behalf, and much more, all for one low, monthly subscription fee! Learn more about the essential benefits of our legal subscription plans or sign up now!