Title: Can I video tape when I go into job interviews? (Ohio)

Question:
So, I don't have a college degree.  I generally work in factories and work shops doing carpentry/joiner work.  The business is full of liars and false promises (not trying to complain, just trying to tell what I want to protect myself against.)

So here's the scenario.  I email out about 10 resumes.  Get a couple of interviews.  When I walk into the initial interview I'm holding a cam corder with my notebook and papers.

Do I have to tell them they are being recorded?  Can I hide the camcorder?  If they lie about compensation etc, will it stand up in court if I didn't tell them they were being recorded?

And btw, if they see a camcorder and say, "Are you recording this?" And I say, "Yes I am."  And they say, "Please get off the property."  I will say, "Goodbye."  And leave.  It's not like I'm gonna stay there and say, "I have the right to record, blah blah blah."

To sum it up, I want to document my life for the 10-12 hours a day I am away from my house.

Please don't say this and that will happen.  You'll never get work, blah blah blah.  I'm just wondering about the legal ramifications.

Also, I sometimes do private contract work with homeowners.  Would "video contracts" hold up in court?   Would they hold up if the client wasn't aware they were being recorded?

Thanks from Ohio :)

Answer:
 As someone how has been responsible for interviewing and hiring in my department (different industry), if I saw someone come in with a camcorder and proceed to attempt to record the interview, it would be over before it began. Not because of the recording itself, but because it tells me that you're going to be more trouble than you're worth down the line.

Edit: hit submit too soon.

It's legal, but it's also private property. If they ask you to stop recording, you have to stop recording.


Title: (UK) I got named as an executor. I was not asked. There was another named, I was able to assign all responsibilities to them. if I were the only executor named could I still have avoided all responsibilities?

Question:
Topic:
Wills Trusts and Estates

Answer:
 yes, they can never force a person to do something against their will without a contract (or sentencing order). typically the court asks and tries to use the names person, but death, incapacity, outright refusal, or the like, will result in the court finding somebody else.

as pointed out below, the probate registry handles this initially, not the courts.


Title: Is it legal for me to create an MP3 streaming server at home and give out the login to several friends so they can listen at their convenience? They would not be able to copy the MP3 files, only stream.

Question:
California

I want to start up a music server using the Subsonic streaming utility. As far as I can tell, users will not be able to copy files to their local machines. It will stream ONLY.

I don't know what the law says about creating a streaming server that contains copyrighted content. I certainly wold not want to do anything illegal, or place myself in danger of fines and such.

Also, what does the law say about setting up this server purely for my own use?

Any ideas here?

Thanks.

http://www.subsonic.org/pages/index.jsp

Answer:
 > Is it legal for me to create an MP3 streaming server at home and give out the login to several friends so they can listen at their convenience?

This is copyright infringement.  That's not to say the copyright holders would necessarily **know** about the infringement, or necessarily **care** enough to sue you.  But it is infringement.

> Also, what does the law say about setting up this server purely for my own use?

This is probably not copyright infringement, as long as there are login credentials so only you can access the account.  Plus, who would report you?


Title: Rental Property issue

Question:
I'm not sure if I am posting in the correct thread. Please advise.
Last week My roommate and I were looking at this house to rent. It is being renovated and is supposed to be done 4/29/14. On 4/16/14 we went ahead and put in our applications with $40 each per application. On 4/22/14 the real estate agent had us come in and sign the lease. Once we signed the lease we got a approved move in date of 4/29/14 and Our offical lease start date of 5/1/14 to 4/30/15. On Sunday 4/27 the real estate agent called and stated that he would need to hold off on renting the property because the owner wants 100/month more. I don't think legally they can call off a signed lease.
Looking for advice on what I should do. We are supposed to be out of the apartment we are in by Thursday and have movers coming tomorrow.

Answer:
 Tell the agent that you have a signed contract and you won't be paying any additional rent.  And if they refuse to provide you with the key and let you move in as agreed, they will need to pay for your damages.

Your damages would include whatever moving and housing expenses you incur as a result of their not renting the apartment out.

And you could point out that this will easily be more than $1200 so the owner would be better off just renting to you and raising your rent a year later.

If they refuse to listen, there's always small claims court (assuming you don't live somewhere weird).


Title: [NYC] If I were to report a drug dealer, how badly could it backfire?

Question:
For the purposes of ruining somebody, I'm considering providing the address, phone number (with texting history), and willingness to testify in court that they sell weed. Shit, I'll point out her Facebook page. She isn't big time or anything, but possesses at least a quarter-pound at any given time and with my information could easily be convicted of intent to distribute at the very least.

How could this go wrong for me personally? Would I be sucked into a bad situation, or could I simply pass this information on and show up in court to convict her?

Answer:
 How could this go wrong for you?

* Her brother could beat you with a hammer and scoop out your eyeballs with a spoon.
* She could plant evidence on your computer that you are the supreme overlord of the silk road.
* You could slip on a patch of ice on your way to testify against her and become paralyzed from the neck down.

It sounds like you previously bought pot from her (text history) and now want to punish her for personal reasons (wanting to ruin her as opposed to justice or you wanting a drug dealer off the streets). If that's true, then you're an asshole. Pot should be legal and you shouldn't gum up our legal system with a small-time dealer who isn't otherwise harming anyone. Find another way to punish this lady, like becoming the next Kobe Bryant or Santa Claus.


Title: Roomate kicked me out with a 12 hour notice

Question:
Virginia, usa.
I need help figuring out if there are any laws for my situation here in Virginia. I needed a place to stay January and found an ad on craigslist looking for a roomate. I responded and moved in paying 600 dollars, 500 for rent, 100 for deposit. I paid on time every month and last week he decided to kick me out with a literal 12 hour notice. I dont have receipts to prove I paid the 500 dollars every month since the apartment is under my roommates name. I just gave the 500 in cash. I called and asked the next day if he could give me my 100 dollar deposit back. He texted today saying I left stuff behind and ddint clean up after myself well enough therefore he would not give it back. I want to know if it's legal to kick me out without even a full days notice even though my name isnt on the lease.

Answer:
 Virginia law requires him to give you 30 days notice, not 12 hours. Even if you failed to pay rent he can't just kick you out.

He broke the law, it's an illegal eviction. You can stay there another 30 days. You can call the police to let you back in, but other than that they may say it's a civil matter. You can sue him for the illegal eviction and for your deposit, in small claims court.

See Virginia state law (Va. Code Ann. §§ 55-248.37, 55-248.7, 55-225.32) for the exact rules and procedures for how landlords must prepare and serve termination notices.


Title: Question about my new job (TX)

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Not at all. They can not withhold pay for any reason. I could see not getting on the first pay period but anything after that demand payment for hours worked. Holding your first paycheck to give to you after you quit? I have never heard of such a thing. Seems like they are not going to pay you. Keep track of all your hours and document everything you can, you are going to need it.


Title: Right to Travel Without License in Florida

Question:
Hey, y’all! This is my first time posting and I’m on mobile. Please forgive me for my formatting.

I read a classmate’s discussion board post in my paralegal class today regarding DUI’s. He said “By forfeiting your license, you still have a right to travel, just not a right to drive conducting commerce.” Is he saying that one can drive without a license unless someone is driving for business reasons? I feel he’s wrong and he has been wrong in the past about things he’s said in class. Some clarification would be much appreciated! ❤
Topic:
DUI

Answer: He’s wrong. Completely wrong. You are required to have a valid drivers license to operate a vehicle ( car,pickup, motorcycle) in every state.


Title: Child support not being used for the "child"

Question: Currently I'm 17 and my mother still receives child support from my dad, and from my knowledge child support can be used for anything as long as the child is involved in it's use. However, my mother claims she has not received any child support so she can solely use it for her own person gains. ( I know for a fact) Is there any way I can get legally involved and have them revoked from her and sent directly to me or any other possible solution to where I can get it? Thanks! ( Pennsylvania )

Answer:
 > Is there any way I can get legally involved and have them revoked from her and sent directly to me or any other possible solution to where I can get it?

Nope. Child support can be spent however the recipient likes. The child doesn't get a vote. Sorry.Answer #2: It is not required the money is used directly on you. As long as your mother is taking adequate care of you (housing and feeding you) she can use that money any way she wants.


Title: Help with a traffic ticket please!

Question:
Hi everyone, I recently got a speeding ticket in steuben County New York. The officer came to my car and said I was going 86 in a 65 which was true. When I got home I noticed that the ticket read that I was going 96.

This is a huge problem for me because 96 in a 65 is a huge infringement. What are my options? Who can I talk to?

Answer:
 >What are my options?

Either pay the fine or contest it

>Who can I talk to?

A lawyer


Title: Gf threw away her medication in dumpster. We live in a college town and the homeless frequently will search through the dumpsters. This morning she got a call from the local police. A guy was found unresponsive with her medication in him. Is their anyway she could be at fault here ?

Answer:
 _Maybe_. Certainly, she should talk to a criminal defence attorney before she answers any police questions, especially if the medication is a controlled substance or has a high abuse potential.Answer #2: What state are you in?

What was the drug?

She shouldn't speak to the police without an attorney.


Title: ELi5: What's this "Point" system some of you northerners keep talking about re: tickets? How does it work? How did such commie nonsense become commonplace?

Question:
I don't know of any Southern state that does this but yall assign points to various traffic offenses? But you can argue down the point? Can anyone look up your points?

Location: The REAL America. (Which yes is 1/2 France cause France started this Freedom shit, AND THIS IS THE MOTHERFUCKING THANKS THEY GET!!!)

Edit 2: When I say "South" I mean the true South: Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and non-Atlanta/non-touching-Florida Georgia. Tennessee, Kentucky and the Carolinas can go fuck themselves. Arkansas is unaware it is a state, so best we not tell them.

Answer:
 I think the problem isn't being a southerner, it's living in that Napoleonic swamp you call a state.Answer #2: More than anything I want to know when these systems started.

There are nine states that *don't* use points, and only two of those are Southern states:

1. Hawaii
2. Kansas
3. Louisiana
4. Minnesota
5. Mississippi
6. Oregon
7. Rhode Island
8. Washington
9. Wyoming
Answer #3: Points are bad. If you get more than a certain amount, bad things happen. The more points, the worse it is. And your insurance goes up.

A good plea deal involves pleading to a charge with no points. If that fails, every so often you can take a defensive driving class to reduce points. No idea about who can look them up.


Title: [WA] I think the new landlord is trying to evict the entire mobile park

Question:
At the end of March my new landlord (purchased the mobile park less than a year ago) put a notice on my door to "clean up yard or be evicted" and cited some obscure rule in my lease and state statute about keeping property clean. The park manager came onto the property through the closed gate and took pictures of the yard, shed, covered deck and even snapped some pictures through some of my windows.

Admittedly, my yard\house was a bit of a mess, but nowhere near bad enough to warrant a notice. It was mostly kids toys and weeding/mowing that needed to be done, I was just holding out for better weather since it's been raining a lot. They came into the fenced off yard without notice to take the pictures of my "mess." My wife says that is illegal but I'm not certain. I tried googling for laws about that but didn't see anything.

The park manager also came back early one morning about a week later into our backyard while my wife was outside on the deck having coffee still in her nightgown "just to check" that we were cleaning the yard. My wife asked her to leave and come back at a reasonable time. She refused.

They raised my rent by $300/month this past year for no real reason, and have been completely remodeling the empty units and yards in order to sell them and charge a park fee. The prices they want for the remodeled units is above market value and the park fee was also raised by $250 per month to $650.

Today I found out that a guy who's owned his home I the park for 20+ years also received a similar notice about his yard, except his yard is basically kept in perfect condition. They seem to be nitpicking to find a reason to take his home and remodel it to sell, too.

I asked the neighbors around me and at least 4 others besides me and the old guy who owns have also received similar notices about cleaning or facing eviction. Is there anything I/we can do about this? I'm feeling like I'm being bullied and harassed just for living in my home now.

Answer:
 > Is there anything I/we can do about this? I'm feeling like I'm being bullied and harassed just for living in my home now.

 It doesn't matter if you think a clause in your lease is obscure, it's there and it's likely enforceable.

>They raised my rent by $300/month this past year for no real reason

 There might be local laws or ordinances about rent control/your lease might have something, but it appears that the state itself has no limit to how much rent may be raised.

 Edit: I'm back. I'm trying to figure out if there's anything you can do about the landlord entering the yard unannounced. Mind you, the photos aren't the problem. That's probably okay. I think it will depend on exactly what you rent, like, is the yard actually yours... .

 So far I have: [this](http://tenantsunion.org/en/rights/section/privacy-rights) and it leads to [these](http://tenantsunion.org/en/rights/section/legal-assistance-guide) hopefully helpful resources. I'm still reading, though.Answer #2: If you're in King County, call 2-1-1 for an appointment with legal aid services. The King County Bar Association runs a free legal clinic.


Title: So I trusted the wrong person

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 >I'd like to settle this ordeal outside of court because I really don't have the money to go through with that.

Small claims filing fees are very cheap and you don't need a lawyer,  Filing suit may encourage him to pay up.  If he still resists, it can be difficult to collect on a judgment after you win.  You could garnish wages and seize bank accounts, but it will take legwork on your part.

It is an economic decision for you since you would likely win the small claims suit.  Do you want to go through the time and effort for $1000 (and moral reasons), or do you think your time is better spent on other things?


Title: CA:Selling a car for X amount but putting down Y amount on Bill of Sale.

Question: So I had my car up for sale and someone offered me $7,000.  When they came to check out the car the potential buyer said that they are getting a car loan through their bank and was asking if I would accept the money in that form.  I called the bank without the potential buyer knowing and they explained to me their process and then when I spoke to the buyer again to explain how the process would work they explained it the exact same way.  So now the potential buyer has offered me an extra $1,000 if I would be ok with them getting the check made for $10,000 from their bank but in exchange I would cash that $10,000 and give them back $2,000 that they will use to modify the car mechanically at a shop we both know and are customers of.  So my question is, when it comes time to write down the amount on the bill of sale/pink slip do I have to write down the $10,000 or can I adjust the amount?  I know of friends and family who have adjusted the amount really low to about $500 or even as "gifts" but all of those deals have been cash.  My concern is that since this will be done through an official bank loan check that I won't be able to adjust the amount.  I tried to find some advice else where but to no avail.  Anyone have any adivce?  Thanks in advance.

Answer:
 Don't do it.  This is a variation of a classic scam.  Guy gives you a check, you give guy car, and extra cash.  Check comes back as fake.  You are out a car, and the guy also has $2000 in cash.Answer #2: You should be very cautious about taking a check for more value of goods/services and "refunding" an amount to the buyer. Quite often these checks are fake and you will find out (and be out of both money, car and cash) in a few weeks. See [Check Overpayment Scams](http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consumerawareness/a/overpay.htm).

Even if this is the buyer legitimately trying to get a loan for aftermarket modifications, you are under no obligation to help him out. If it were me, I would insist on exact payment and documenting and checking everything. If it's a scam, they'll turn tail pretty fast.


Title: Got a Letter From The Health Department About A Rodent Problem That Isn’t Ours

Question:
[Got this letter from the Department of Public Health.](https://imgur.com/a/RsIba1H)

Just got this letter in from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health the cause that was selected/marked that we had a complaint over, was “*Vermin/Rodent Infestation*”.  And the main problem is the neighbors house because it’s a huge mess and they have a definite problem that is originating from their home, next door to us. And we have found mice here and there but coming from their house and we also have things like wire mesh around the holes that can lead under the house, and fill any holes we happen to find around the house with epoxy foam or whatever it’s called.

Is there anything we can do to fight against this? It doesn’t even make sense how they determine it’s my house. And if we do need to do anything what steps should we take?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help, any help at all is much appreciated.

Answer: Sounds like you have "questions concerning this matter". Call them.


Title: Canada: Roommate took pictures of nudes he found on my laptop when I wasn't home

Question:
This happened a year ago. My roommate went into my room, on my laptop (not password protected), scrolled through my iMessage log with my boyfriend, and took pictures of the nudes he could find. He told someone(Josh) that he did this, and that person told me.

I am over 18 in them so it isn't possession of child pornography.
I spoke to a police officer and he said this wasn't a crime unless my roommate distributed the pictures.

But, I found this:

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Canadian_Criminal_Law/Offences/Unauthorized_Use_of_Computer

So would't that make it a crime?

Also, I asked Josh to ask my roommate to send him the pictures. I would have proof, and then it would count as distribution, right?

**UPDATE** Josh asked him for the pictures over fb message, and he acknowledged their existence but  said that he deleted them last month when I broke up with my boyfriend because he felt bad (lol? interesting values here). I guess there's nothing else I can do. Hopefully he's telling the truth and doesn't have them anymore.

Answer:
 The police officer isn't wrong. Non-consensual distribution of intimate images is a brand new charge.  I doubt more than a dozen people in the whole country have ever been charged with it.  I'm honestly shocked he even knew about it.

The section is 162.1 if you're interested.

Was the room mate normally allowed to use your computer? Has he ever used your computer with your permission? Does he have any reason to think he could use your computer?

Unauthorized use of a Computer is also an incredibly rare charge and very difficult to prove.  Even if your room mate sent Josh the picture, it doesn't prove how he obtained it, though it would form the basis of a non-consensual distribution of intimate images charge. Answer #2: > (not password protected)

I hope you've since fixed that :)


Title: [USA] 3/4 of us lost our jobs, and our land lord won’t reduce rent because her “loan is from China”.

Question:
Some friends and I are renting a house in Georgia. 3 of us lost our jobs and the 4th might be furloughed.. Two of us got temporary jobs, which is helpful, but Georgia is going into lock down on Friday and We’re most likely going to lose these as well. Two of us have no savings.

We asked our property manager and the homeowner to reduce rent by 50%, but they refused. Their reason is that the homeowner’s loan for the house was from Beijing (so she will not get mortgage relief from the government), and that her own home is collateral, so she can not afford to miss a payment.

They offered to terminate the lease early if we wished, but if we can’t pay, they will have to evict us. The home owner also wants this because she intends to sell the house after we’re out.

I see this as incredibly sketchy for a number of reasons (I’m uneducated in real estate though):

1. If she evicts us, she will have not have any income from this property for several months.

2. It seems incredibly unlikely to sell a house like this in the current economy and pandemic. (Delusional maybe?)

3. I don’t see how it’s possible to have a Chinese loan on an American property, with another American property as collateral. Is that even enforceable? Would a bank take that risk?

Anyways, what can we do? Do we have any options? We really don’t want to move out or lose our deposit. We might be safe for the next two months but if things continue on longer, there’s no telling where we’ll be.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 The reasons given are irrelevant. You are not entitled to any reduction in rent. You can pay or if they will let you terminate the lease you can do that.Answer #2: If you don't pay your rent you can be evicted.

Eviction is a court process.  They can't just lock you out.  But even starting an eviction can go on your record and make it harder to rent in the future.

Some jurisdictions have placed moratoriums on evictions, but as far as I can tell so far Georgia isn't one of them.


Title: [ON] As the landowner, do I have any rights when it comes to the right-to-access across my land?

Question:
[Our property line is the red, the blue box is the right-to-access](http://i.imgur.com/vVvihSE.png?1).

We have an issue where, because of our wide bridge, the neighboring farmer's workers that utilize the right-to-access tend not to even slow down when entering our yard from the road.  It is not uncommon to see their farm trucks doing well over 60km/h across our drive.  We try talking to them and get the "oh yeah,sorry.  We'll slow down." but a couple days later, they are speeding again.

Th concern is because we have small children and a dog.  I know we could fence right up to the right-to-access, which would force them to remove a bunch of trees in order to access their property and slow them down while at the same time making it almost impossible for their semi trailers to access the property due to the tight turn, but I'm wondering if there is any legal rights to have them slow down first before I take those steps or if there is anything that says I can't fence up to that line.

Answer: you need to talk to an attorney - whatever easement they may have will be governed by terms either written down or established by practice, terms none of us are privy to or would be able to find. is attorney can find the restrictions, and advise you of your options from there. Answer #2: Speak to a lawyer and take it from there. Access rights are by their nature very specific things and my have terms and conditions that parties must adhere to. They're definitely too specific for random strangers on the internet to give you proper advice.Answer #3: Based off of a private message that I received, this is not the only access to the farm.  They have another [field access](http://imgur.com/yZ0IU3W) just down the road that is used quite a bit.  I am not trying to "land-lock" them.  I just want to have them slow down through my drive.


Title: My stalker filed a restraining order...against me

Question:
TLDR: my stalker ex boyfriend filed a restraining order against me when I publicly yelled at him (and threw 3oz of water on him) for being somewhere he agreed not to be at a time he agreed not to be there. When I fight this in court in 10 days - what do I say?

He has a history of stalking women and intimidating them and gaslighting them. He had a restraining order in effect from another ex who felt intimated, until March of this year.

History: I suffer from PTSD from prior break ins, stalking, sexual harassment, and a rape. It manifests in flashbacks and panic attacks, but these days only when triggered.

He knows that I suffer from PTSD and when I issued the first polite request with boundaries, I mentioned that I feared having a panic attack or being mentally destabilized. I have email confirmation from him that he would “stay away, I promise.” Within 3 days, he didn’t. After seeing him when/where he was after he assured me he would not be there, I ended up collapsing, and having a panic attack that left me unconscious.

I contacted the ex with the restraining order. Wanted to know the story. Found out it was for stalking. That she wasn’t the first victim, just the first one who got a restraining order.

He also knowing infected me with an incurable STD, after being notified 12 years that he had it, infecting his now-ex wife, this other girl, and countless other people.

Important info: the place where the incident happened is a brewery where he bartends very part time (once a month or less these days) and where I perform music regularly enough to have been 1099ed. I have a more recent pay stub from there than he does. We both hang out there; he was not working that day, and would’ve had to have gotten out of his FT job early to be there at the time he was. The email gave him certain days and times there (since he’s a night owl I gave him the later hours and agreed not to be there, and asked for notice if he had a shift). The backside of this business is only 200 feet from my other place of more regular work.

Despite having a salaried full time job, he listed this brewery as his place of employment so that I could not go there.

Should I also list it as my place of employment?

Not really sure how to handle this. I probably left out bunches of info so please ask. My brain is not awake yet. Any advice is appreciated.

Gtg to court now to go file my own restraining order. I have four documented cases of boundaries being set and broken, and saying that I feel unsafe.

He only filed the restraining order after I threatened to do so as well.

Answer:
 You do realize you assaulted him right? You also realize your PSTD isn't an excuse to assault someone right? You realize he can legally be in that bar despite whatever schedule you set for him right? You don't have the authority to keep him from going to a place you don't own. \\Answer #2: Well, you did assault him first.Answer #3: As others mentioned, you did assault him. You fight this in court by hiring an attorney to do so for you.

You have no authority to tell him where and when he can be places. Your PTSD doesn't relieve you of what you did, nor does it make other people have to confirm to your boundaries and instructions. This is something you need to work out with your therapist. If you don't have one, get one. From your post it sounds very much like you need one.

If he is employed by the bar, you will be restrained from there. You are not an employee; a 1099 is a independent contractor. Musicians are rarely employees of establishments, and you are clearly self employed in that arena. Who has the most recent check means nothing in a court of law. Someone else having a restraining order does not matter in your situation.

To wrap things up - If you plan to fight the restraining order, you need to hire an attorney. You will not be eligible for a public defender for this as it is not a criminal charge, so you need to hire independent counsel. Additionally, you need to work with your therapist about your mental health issues and learn better ways of interacting with people where you have a conflict.


Title: [Pennsylvania] Pulled over and car searched because 'smelled like weed', other drugs were found but not a hint of marijuana

Question: [deleted]

Answer: It is going to be very difficult to show that the officer *didn't* smell weed, especially in light of other drugs found in the car. A judge will be unlikely to believe that the car couldn't have smelled like marijuana when other drugs were found. Heck, just reading this, I believe the officer.


Title: I've been contacted about being in a commercial, but I am worried it is a scam to get my SSN. How can I determine if it is legit?

Question:
Here's the whole story:

I was first contacted by the company "Fresh Perspectives Research" regarding a survey about "Technology in the Home." They wanted to pay me $100. I was asked some preliminary questions, and I qualified.

They scheduled me for a Skype interview the following Sunday at 5:30 PM. They asked me questions about my cable/internet service for about 20 minutes. They needed my address to send the check. (They already had my name and telephone number). Nothing really seemed fishy other than the fact that they called me offering $100 for 20 minutes of my time (I have yet to receive the check, however).

They then contacted me a few days later, telling me that my cable/internet provider had seen my interview and liked the way I answered questions. And they want to put me in a commercial which would shoot in NYW from 12/12-12/15. Travel/food/lodging would be comp'd, and I would get a couple thousand for my time, and additional compensation if the commercial airs.

However, I can't find much information about them. And they need me to fill out a form to perform a background check. The form is [here.](http://i.imgur.com/E7z81.png)

My question is, how can I found out if this is legitimate? I have contacted my local cable/internet provider (Time Warner Cable), and they looked into it. They called the Charlotte headquarters, and the guy in charge of media productions in the northeast said he hadn't heard of the company...which is obviously not a good sign. Do I already have my answer?

Thanks.

EDIT: I called them back, and asked for a contact within TWC. I called him, and he confirmed that the company is legit. To confirm HIM, I did a google search. I had him send me an email from @twcable.com. He also has a LinkedIN profile stating his job. Looks like I'm going to NYC or having my identity stolen!

Answer: They have done a lot of scrubbing of their Internet search words- company name + scam turns up no results. The company has a web page, but very basic. They are on Google Maps at that address. I suggest calling that number directly and see if it seems fishy. Everything sounds like BS so far, ESP since you haven't gotten paid. But if you do, cash it. They might get banking info that way....


Title: Parents stole $4,000 from my 17yo sister, what can she do? [FL]

Question: My parents are abusive, have a pretty big gambling addiction, and live above their means to appear better so they have money problems. They stole $4,000 from my sister's bank account. Technically it's a joint account that the parents are listed on. Anyways it's all money from her wages at a legit job. Anything to do legally?

Answer: Since it is a joint account, your parents were able to take the money out legally.  They can continuously wipe it out clean and nothing can be done if their names are in the account as well. As soon as your sis can, she needs to open a new account in her own name.


Title: Mother stuck in naturalization limbo?

Question:
So with all the immigration stuff going on with this current Administration going after even naturalized citizens, I was thinking back to my own mother, who is listed as a citizen on all government documents as she was supposedly naturalized back in 2005. My brother and I are both US-born citizens while our mother is a naturalized citizen (supposedly).

Now the thing that is confusing me is that she never attended the ceremony or got the certificate but yet she is listed as a citizen and is able to vote. She remembers taking the Citizenship test and getting approved for the whole process but was never contacted by Immigration Services since 2005. When I went to go check on the status of the case, it is apparently still in the process of filing, but has been in this process since 2005!

I doubt her lawyer that she hired back in 2005 may still have the whole case documents that she filled out, but it is worth a shot. And all the documents that she has in her possession are all forms that are not valid to fill out an inquiry on the USCIS website. (forms like EOIR-24B)

Now that I am entering law school (First year super excited), I am starting to take over the legal decisions for the whole family and this is one of the things that I am working on but have no idea on where to start. Should I risk inquiring about the case if it mean to set off some red flags to the government or should I just be OK with the current status quo and wait for the chance that ICE might come busting down my front door to get her?

Answer:
 > Now that I am entering law school (First year super excited), I am starting to take over the legal decisions for the whole family and this is one of the things that I am working on but have no idea on where to start.

That sounds like a bad idea.  The only thing more dangerous than someone who doesn't know anything is someone who knows just a little.

Start by contacting he old lawyer, or if circumstances make that tough, contact a different immigration attorney.


Title: Job offer, stuck on background check

Question:
Passed all background checks, worked for two financial companies before. I put my two weeks in at my previous employer. On Friday my last day at work the company pushed back my start date. They have now pushed back my start date 5 times. I am currently unemployed, true single father with a mortgage to cover.(No contracts were signed for this position for the new employer)

The hold up happened 7 years ago where there was a large incident where 23 people were involved. I knew two of the individuals who's house was raided and found marijuana and spice(synthetic marijuana that was popular at the time). They told on everyone they smoked with, me included. I admitted to smoking marijuana but never tested positive. For me admitting, the Air Force gave me a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions. I've provided my DD form 214 in the past at my previous employers and nothing has ever been an issue.( I was never in front of a judge or court. I was discharged by my Commander)

The new employer is saying that my background is getting stuck on FINRA(Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). I called FINRA today and they said they have no record of a background check on me and that I needed to figure out what document is needed. But I'm not sure what more is needed and neither does the security team.

The security team who has only been emailing me stated that they want to make sure this is not considered a felony.  I've exhausted every avenue, spoke with the VA, they are trying to request records of my discharge. So far no luck.( Have been trying for my records for multiple years). I submitted a request through Archive.gov which they stated  could take up to 90days. I called the base where the incident occurred and talked to the JAG office. They stated it was an Article 15 which she stated is not a felony but could not provide me a document stating this. But she did state I needed to submit a FOIA request to get my information but haven't heard back from anyone on the time frame of how long this could take.

I'm very scared. I worked very hard to get to this point in my life and now it seems it could all crash, I would have to file for bankruptcy if I can't pay my bills and thus would disqualify me from many financial jobs with a bankruptcy listed. Any type of help on this issue would be great.

Topic:
Background Checks and Expungements

Answer: You should look for another job.


Title: Lawsuit against University??

Question:
Hi all! Thanks in advance for your help. I am located in Ohio.

So the university I attended had an art education program when I enrolled. The program was a bachelors plus a year for a licensure. I, along with the 5 other people in the program (it was a moderate sized university but a very small department) worked through all of the coursework to complete that degree and mid semester in our 3rd-and for some of us our last- year in the program, the university cut the program and wouldn't grandfather us in and give us our teaching licenses/let us graduate with the degree we were enrolled in. So instead of an art ed degree and a licensure which we would immediately be able to take to prospective employers/schools to begin teaching jobs, we were left with just a Fine Arts degree and no licensure (even though we did all the  student teaching and coursework required for the licensure). So we aren't able to go out and look for teaching jobs. The university offered *some* of us a list of schools with the art ed licensure program that we could attend to obtain the licensure BUT most of us didn't even get that list. I was one of the lucky ones to get a copy of this list and ALL of the schools on the list were either out of state (i definitely don't have the resources to up and move), masters programs (again I don't have the resources), or not compatible with the credits needed to transfer from our university so we would have to repeat 1-2 years of undergrad word before even starting their program. The communication between the university and the students in the program was slim to none and incredibly scattered. They didn't have an appointed advisor for the department so we had to meet with fine art advisors who didn't even know we had an art ed Dept and didn't know who was in charge or anything about it. We did try to fight it  by sending emails and they said since there were only a couple of us, it wasn't a big enough issue to deal with so they cut the program anyways. They didn't even issue a statement or tell anyone why it happened. A couple professors informed us that it was because the person in charge of the program quit and they just didn't care to replace her. (That could be hearsay though, we have no idea what actually happened)

So flash forward to a few months shy of a year since I've graduated. I was able to obtain an online art ed licensure but had a HELL of a time finding a job because hiring schools basically laugh at online licensures (I was told this directly by a person in a district I was applying to) but unfortunately the online licensure was my only option due to limited resources (read $$$) as I was unable to move out of state or start on my masters at this time. So I have FINALLY been offered a position teaching art at a middle school after 6 months of job searching. I have gotten a group message going with the other 5 people who were in the program just to reach out and see where they're at and what they're doing and how they feel affected by what happened and it seems I have gotten the furthest. They all are STILL working part time jobs at Starbucks/pizza places/retail etc just to pay off the students loans and they can't find a job after 1-2 years of searching because their credentials are basically laughable and don't apply at all the what they want to do with their lives. None of them knew about the online licensure either because the advisors at our university didn't advise them of such options. Furthermore, my starting salary (and the salary of anyone else from the program when they are hired at a school) will be a couple thousand dollars lower because we just have a bachelors rather than a bachelors plus 1 year (what it would've been if we had gotten the licensure we originally intended from our university). So everyone that was in the program feels on board with seeking legal advice just to see if we even have anything to move forward with. What do you guys think?
Also, I believe they've now brought back the program.

TLDR So basically it seems like we wasted years of time and tuition to end up not being able to graduate with the degree we were promised and have since wasted another 1-2 years of life applying to jobs only to be laughed at and turned down. The university didn't help with any viable alternative pathways and didn't explain what was going on. And I've lost thousands in salary money because now my starting salary is lower than it would have been and my salary will probably always we playing catch up to where it should have been.

Also* sorry this post is so long. I understand life isn't fair and things like this happen. If anything else, I just don't want to see anyone else get screwed over like this.

Edit for clarity- the art ed program I was initially enrolled in was 5 years and by the end of the fifth you would have a degree in art ed with a licensure. The Fine art degree is something completely separate and only 4 years. I ended up having to graduate with the 4 year fine art degree and my diploma says nothing relating to education.

Answer: IANAL but I've known people who sued Universities in similar situations. What happens is, generally, the University has a lot more money, lawyers and resources than the person bringing the suit. The University draws out the case, often over years, which drains the person that brought the suit of a ton of money in lawyer costs/legal fees that they'll never get back. Eventually the person who brought the suit can't afford their lawyer anymore and the case gets dropped. The University walks away and the person who brought the suit is broke and generally worse off than had they just not bothered in the first place.


Title: Sister in laws car towed at her home

Question:
Hopefully I can explain the situation clearly. On mobile so sorry for the formatting

My sister in law lives in a mobile home park in Glendale arizona. Recently, she had gotten a different car since hers needed a repair that would cost more than what it’s worth. She had been trying to get in touch with the park manager to register her car and get a parking sticker. The manager is supposed to be there Monday thru Friday 8:30-5 and Saturday 9-1. My sister in law multiple times goes to the office on saturdays when she’s off but doesn’t find the manager at the office. The manager gives her a warning that she needs to register her car. My sister in law then texts the manager on her personal cell phone, and they make an agreement to meet at the office the next day at 9. Next day comes by and the manager doesn’t show up, my sister in law waited until 9:30 and calls the manager repeatedly with no answer, and she leaves for work. Later in the day, the manager texts her and tells her to stop calling her and she shouldn’t be upset because she has things to do other than being a manager. My sister in law keeps taking time off work, goes in late or gets off early to try to meet the manager and she is not there. This morning, my sister in law finds that her car has been towed. Also, other neighbors have been complaining about the manager overcharging some of them on there utilities. For example, one guy gets $200 for water when my sister in law who has a washing machine only gets 30-40. Other tenants have also said that she will give a “final warning” for some bullshit little thing and the only way to get rid of the warning is to pay $100-200.

So reddit, is there anything my sister in law can do about this manager? Can she demand for her fees to get her car from the towing company since she had made an effort to meet with the manager? Is there anything that the other tenants might be able to do to stop the manager from taking advantage?

Answer:
 Maybe. The first thing she needs to do is get her car out. She has a duty to mitigate. While she is doing that, she should try to find out if the tow was called in (and by who) or if they drive around and look for cars without tags. Finding out that information will guide her next steps. Answer #2: Get the car out, and since this "manager" has no time to spare on related issues in the park, I highly suggest some court time, perhaps small claims.

i also suggest when you work out what paperwork small claims wants/needs you enlighten the other residents as to what they can do also.

If the manager has no time for the residents, I would think its important to her to make time for the judge.


Title: Gratuities I don't get.

Question: I work for a privatized public transportation company selling tickets in Connecticut.  When a customer pays with credit card there is the spot on the store copy of receipt where the customer can (and often does) add a tip on the card. We use a point of sale system in the field. We run the card for the service amount, they add a tip, but the sale never gets adjusted to finalize it after the customer leaves. So we have no clue if the sale gets adjusted.  By the accounting department or otherwise. But we employees never see it. Ever. Anybody know of any legal obligation from the company to the ticket sellers in this case?  I can't find anything specific to this on the state DOL site.

Answer: You have to be paid the tips of that's what your asking.


Title: (US - VA) Got charged and found guilty of a misdemeanor 3 years ago

Question:
I would like to first thank you for taking your time to read this message, I am and have been a resident in the state of Virginia for most of my life. I am currently seeking employment in state and running into difficulties due to a mistake I made 3 years ago hanging out with the wrong person. I would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to read or listen to my mistake.

I just turned 18 a couple weeks prior to the time I got in trouble which was my first and last offense, I was at a friend's house when he asked me if I could take him to the store and I agreed since I had to grab something at the store as well, while at the store I grabbed a drink, paid for it and left the store, after sitting in the car for a couple minutes and my friend had not returned, I went to go check on him and as I made my way through the door I was approached by secret shoppers and they told me the situation. My friend was caught trying to leave the store with merchandise and I "assisted" him in such. The secret shoppers took me to the back office where they held my friend and I until the police arrived. After the police arrived they gave us our tickets or slips to appear in court. In court they fingerprinted us and moved us into the district court and waited on our trial, when given the opportunity to get a court appointed lawyer my friend and I declined and plead guilty after I listened to the recommendation of my friend, which I now realize the mistake. I was given 1 year unsupervised probation, shoplifting prevention course online which was mandatory and fined by the court. After taking the course and paying my fines I went on to serve my 1 year probation without a problem. I never gotten in trouble for anything else but that one part of my past still to this day still haunt me and I regret it deeply. I got a job offer and it was retracted after they did a background check and saw that I had a misdemeanor.  I was informed by either the officer that wrote me the ticket or my probation officer that my record would be expunged after probation and they saw that I passed my course. Now in present day I am without a job due to a mistake I made shortly after I turned 18. Please tell me if there is anything I could do to fix this.

Answer:
 It doesn't automatically get expunged-you have to go to court and petition for expungement.  It will almost certainly be granted in most states but you need to do it.

HOWEVER it looks like you got really bad information because this is what google shows and I confirmed it with other searches.

If a person pleads guilty to ANY crime, felony or misdemeanor, he cannot have the crime expunged in the state of Virginia.

So, essentially, you are screwed as far as having a record in Virginia goes, which really sucks.

The best thing you can do is be up front in the interview process.  Something like "I need to disclose something that I am very embarrassed about but that I have learned a lot from"

Briefly tell your story-without trying to minimize.  Then talk about what you learned-your reputation is the most valuable possession you own.  That you become the type of people you hang out with.  That being given an opportunity to accomplish something is the greatest gift…

Really work on how you are going to say this bc you get ONE chance to convince your interviewer to overlook the misdemeanor.


Title: Could I legally purchase a very small piece of land from private property?

Question:
There is a vehicle repair shop  near my home and they have a unused patch of grass (3' by 10' approx) on their property that happens to be very close to a bus stop. In my spare time I fiddle with wood working and currently have a bench sitting in my garage. I would like to purchase the land and place my bench on it for public use. The end goal of this is to sell ad space on the bench and eventually turn a profit on the deal.

I have googled around for a bit but am unsure where to look to find out the legality and proper process of such a purchase. I would greatly appreciate any help. Thank you for your time.

The land I wish to purchase is in Illinois (US)

Answer:
 There is nothing restricting you from purchasing as small of a piece of real estate as someone is willing to sell you.Answer #2: Then you want to find out about local zoning laws to see if you can use such a property as described.

From a business perspective I would really question this endeavor. While you may turn a profit, is it worth the risk, opportunity cost, and most importantly your time? While perhaps it may be if you operated multiple of these benches a single location isn't going to make much money, you're going to have to book ads regularly, you'll have to maintain the property and you probably open yourself up to some degree of liability. Vending machines may fit your entrepreneurial interests though.Answer #3: Where I live, legal parcels are 1/8 acre minimum. Also, the city has a 10 ft easement along roads.


Title: My friend has been held without trial for almost 100 days in Erie Couny, PA

Question:
I just got a letter from a good friend of mine from Erie County Jail in PA. He has been in jail for over three months and has yet to begin his trail.

backstory. He got arrested for something relatively minor, not sure what exactly, but related to being drunk in public and resisting. That was three years ago. He skipped town with his girlfriend and came to Michigan. They now have a child together. He got picked up on the warrent and has been sitting in jail for three months. He has yet to be tried. What do I do?? This is crazy.

I wrote him a couple weeks ago. He just wrote me a letter back and half of it was about how much he feels like a bad dad for not being home. I need to help him. This guy is one of the best people I know. Where do I start? Isnt there a maximum amount of time they can hold you without trail??

Answer: You can pay for an attorney for him. But that is how these things work. He likely doesnt qualify for bail since he jumped it last time. So now he waits for his court date in jail. Plus side, it likely counts as time served for whatever sentence he gets. Trials take time. Prep. and a calendar opening in court. None of which happen quickly.


Title: Employee Rights

Question: # My  husband and I worked for the same company until I quit less than a month ago. Today, after years of promotions and positive reviews (we have this documented), the district manager gave him a  horrible review and threatened his job after making vague remarks about me. What are our rights?

Answer: Your rights in regards to what? Your husband's boss saying mean things about him?Answer #2: This is not a subject matter that is protected under any employment standards. Because it is not illegal and because you are at-will employment, he could be fired for this. But he could also then file for EI. (I'm also assuming no union either?)


Title: (GA) Paypal refuses to let me use funds in my account

Question:
Hello there,
This issue has been going on for quite a while, but I recently heard of this subreddit so maybe I could get some help here. Before I continue on, I would like to let you know the amount of funds in this account is 10 bucks. Yes I know, a measly amount, but for me a 14 y/o male I think of that as a steam game or a movie ticket. Anyways, I made the account almost a year ago, back in September ish. I hooked up my mothers credit card (only used it with permission) and I used the account to sell my old gift cards on ebay. After about 2 months of no problems with buying or selling, suddenly I would get an error message with no error code, just a "Sorry, we can't complete you transaction at this time". I contacted customer support, no response for months, and haven't gotten one to this day. Messaged them on facebook, gave no help there. I am not even able to move funds to the other account I created. When looking up the issue online, it seems I need to link a bank account to allow the funds to go through. There was no notice of having to do this, and the answer was only supplied from other users with the same problem, some with thousands of dollars locked. Is this allowed? Can they lock my funds until I connect a bank, with no notice of doing so? Thanks a bunch.

TL;DR: Locked out of my paypal, cannot access funds unless I connect a bank, with no notice before or during the issue.

Answer: You're not even allowed to have a PayPal account under 18 so you're in violation of their terms and conditions.


Title: Would it be legal to make a tinder account of someone that isn’t me and put my Venmo or cash app?

Question: Literally just putting in my bio, “Venmo me 5$ and see what happens” and letting a bunch of dumbasses send me money for nothing? From what I understand half these chicks don’t send or do anything anyways so would it be any different if I didn’t either?

Answer: No, that's fraud. You are lying about who you are for the purpose of taking money from people.


Title: Boss Entered Time Off Without Pay AFTER I worked those days!

Question:
I'm in WA state. I worked as an intern for a major tech company and didn't get a long with my manager at all. There's a lot of different teams at this company, and the one I was on didn't mesh too well. I was interested in exploring other teams, and this pissed off my manager, severely.

After my 3-month internship ended my old manager modified my Time Off Without Pay entries and said I wasn't at work for the last 2 weeks. However, I was at work and working each day -- I didn't keep in contact with my manager since he was very difficult to be around. I didn't answer his emails and just kept working on my intern project. I wasn't trying to cause problems, but just get through a very stressful internship and move on to the next part of my life.

Is this legal? Can my old manager just say I wasn't at work, even though I definitely was? I was payed to be at the company and explore opportunities, not just to suck up to the one small team I was apart of. Though, my manager must have had *very* different views about team-loyalty within the company to just go and edit my Time Off Without Pay entries.

***

I'm currently in contact with the company's payroll department trying to get my entries edited back to my actual end-date. The payroll dept. just found out that my manager edited the entries and is including him in email discussion.

I want to know what's going on in terms of options, if possible. My old boss is just going to say that he "couldn't contact me in the last two weeks".

I feel trapped because I don't have access to my old email account since my internship ended, I'm pretty sure I had some emails in those last two weeks showing my activity. I also have the code I worked on at the time, but my code was never apart of the company's revision control -- it's just sitting on bitbucket. So maybe this doesn't count as evidence of being at work?

I was paid over 2k in those weeks and all that money went to rent. I'm just a student! I can't just randomly pay for two weeks I worked because my old manager edited my entries after my internship ended.
Topic:
Labor Law

Answer:
 1.  You need to do some growing up.  If you don't like your boss the answer isn't to ignore his emails.

2.  Despite you being an immature kid, you will get paid for the time you put in, by law.

3.  I assume that they have clocking in/out records, in addition to time sheets.  If you were working on a real project there were either software code checkins or conversations with other people that show that you were there and doing something.


Question:
*Beep Boop Beep Beep Boop*

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Original Post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/4tit2v/update_cat_declawing_required_under_lease/

Author: /u/JauntyMeowstic

#**[UPDATE] Cat Declawing Required Under Lease**

> Hi all! A positive outcome to the original post! (https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/4t35d8/cat_declawing_required_under_lease/)
>
> After hitting the wall on Saturday with not being able to see anyone, my partner drove down again late last night so we could go see someone this afternoon. When we got there, we sat down with our leasing manager and I decided to just be honest. I said "we are concerned about the declawing stipulation, as we won't do it and likely wouldn't even be able to find a vet to do it." I then held my breath, expecting to be shot down and wishing I were a less honest person.
>
> To our surprise and happiness, our leasing manager says that he's spoken to upper management and other residents many times regarding this policy, and that they do not enforce it. The reason it is in there is to protect residents that do not own the pet from being attacked by a roommates cat, so they have legal recourse if they are severely injured. In housing catered to university students, roommates are often matched with people they don't know, so this protects them. Since we jointly own our cat and don't have other roommates, it's just a liability thing that doesn't apply to our situation, but is in there just in case. He wrote notes about our conversation down, we signed our papers, paid our deposit, and walked out with a huge weight lifted off our shoulders. Our cat is coming with us (toes intact!), and we could not be more excited at the outcome.
>
> Thank you all so much for the support and advice. Even though we didn't really need any of it in the end, it was still greatly appreciated and educational, and helped us tremendously with our anxiety leading up to today. You guys are wonderful!

Answer: Even if not enforced its still a bit problematic. I feel like there's a better way to approach the liability thing, as unsuspecting people may just go ahead and declaw. That said, glad it worked out.


Title: I live in Michigan and am adopted. I have heard throughout my childhood from my parents that I cannot legally be disowned due to this fact. Is this even a thing? If so, what does legal disownment entail?

Answer: Disownment isn't really a legal term.  Generally it means you're left out of their will.  And yes, they can do that whether you are an adopted or biological child.


Title: Small gym contacted by ASCAP about music infringement.

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Intellectual Property

Answer:
 What was in the letter?  Are they seeking damages, or merely trying to compel you to purchase an annual license?

Read this: https://www.paaba.org/2011/10/when-should-small-business-pay-ascap-or-bmi/

Who knows how they found out but my guess is someone at ASCAP had the bright idea to look up every gym in the country and try to bust them.

The best course of action is probably to try to negotiate an annual license for the gym.  Or else promise to stop playing music in the gym, or only use the radio.


Title: Revenge porn/child porn situation. Please help me, I don't know what to do

Question:
This is obviously a throwaway account, but here is my plea. I'm currently involved in a revenge porn/child porn situation and I don't know what to do. A woman who used to work with me somehow got ahold of highly inappropriate photographs of me (over 18 years old) and two or three (as far as I'm aware) other workers (under 18 years old). She is sending them to other employees and has discussed with someone else who knows all of us that she intends to further distribute the content. I am currently studying to be in a field where any such content could be devastating, and with minors involved this is obviously much more serious. The woman holding the content is distributing without consent of any involved and no one is sure how she even had access to any of the content in question. I brought this to the attention of my superiors and she promptly quit before any action could be taken. Given my involvement, chosen career path, and financial status, I think it would be impossible to file an official claim with the courts. I'm not completely sure who else is involved, and I don't think I'm able to ask these minors to press charges, effectively leaving me out of the proceedings. I can't have this content getting out, I can't think of what to do, and I'm lost and panicked. I live in Kansas, I have the woman's first name and address, and I have filed an anonymous tip with the local police giving them this information, as well as the fact that she is in possession of child pornography with intent to distribute. I'm scared and could use any advice you could offer.

TLDR: woman is distributing lewd photos of myself and of minors, I'm in Kansas, idk what I can or should do, I've given local police an anonymous tip, I'm scared, financially, socially, and emotionally unable to press charges, and I need legal advice.
Thank you in advance

Edit: thank you all for the support, advice, kind words, harsh realities and anything else you've offered me. Truly I can't express enough how badly I needed to hear the things said in this thread. Thank you to everyone who offered comments. I've decided to go to the police directly, and hopefully they can help me without making this into something I'll need to worry about again. Thank you all!

Answer:
 Revenge porn is illegal in Kansas.

CP is illegal everywhere in the US.

Call the cops. Specifically don't make an anonymous tip. File a police report. Answer #2: You're right, you can't really encourage the minors to press charges. You provided and anonymous tip with the police, so hopefully that will go somewhere. I think the only way you can get yourself into this would be to file a report on your own behalf. I'd like to say that she wouldn't risk doing anything with your pictures if she was being charged/investigated for possession of child open, but you never know.

I'd try calling the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative's helpline (844-878-2274). They can help direct you with next steps or how to proceed depending on what you're comfortable with. Answer #3: You need to contact the police.  As in, go into a police department, speak to a detective, and file a report on everything she's done.

This person is doing a vile, horrendous thing and needs to be prosecuted.  If you don't report her, it's more than likely that she WILL release them further and additional damage will be done to you and the minors.

You're panicked and not thinking straight.  Reporting her will NOT result in you being branded the same as her.  You would be someone who was the victim of a crime and worked to bring a criminal to the attention of police and the courts.  You don't press charges, that's on the DA to do.  And if they have someone who's distributing CP, they'll go after them with everything they've got.


Title: Can I sue the college/professor?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 You want to sue a college because your sister lost her scholarship?  No, you cannot do that.

>I had an A until she corrected my professor during a lecture about religion, and had references to back it up.

Who had what now?

Anyway, she can't do it either.  Well, she can, but she won't win, even if she hasn't blown the statute of limitations.


Title: 16M friend beaten by father, now suicidal and begging to be picked up by me, 20M. Major concerns with possible time constraint.

Question:
Location: San Diego County, California

Late last night, at around 8 PM PST, my friend messaged me with information that his father had beaten him. His mother has also beaten him in the past, according to him. He begged me to drive around an hour and a half to pick him up from his father's house, which I had to refuse since it was way too late for me to drive over there (I am 20, got my license half a year ago and don't want to do a long late night drive as I could be a risk to myself and others). At around 10:30 PM, he messaged me that he is worried about being sent to a mental institute because of his history (he has OD'd on drugs, which is concerning to me and I am not okay with, as well as has bad grades). He mentioned that if this happens, he will more than likely take his own life. He messaged me again an hour later, saying he had been moved to his mom's house for the time being, but was still suicidal.

I am very concerned because he messaged me at around 12:30 this morning that he won't do anything to himself if I can get him away from his parents, but that he is "ready to end it" because he "has nothing". That is why I feel a time constraint.

What should I do in my situation? I am worried that if I were to head over and pick him up, that would legally be kidnapping, since he is a minor and his parents definitely wouldn't approve. I am also concerned because we are online friends and have never met in person. I don't have pictures of his injuries from being beaten or any other proof of an altercation, and I also don't have any information on what led up to the beating. I don't want him killing himself, but I definitely don't want to get involved in a long legal battle. Should I ask him for pictures of his injuries, and ask what led up to him being beaten? Should I call CPS instead and hope that they make the right call? Should I just go and pick him up as I have concerns for his safety?

Thank you to any and all replies.

Answer:
 You call the police and social services.

You do **NOT** try to do this yourself.Answer #2: You can call CPS and report the  (possible) abuse. Also provide your friend with the suicide hotline information 1-800-273-8255. Your friend can call CPS himself and report the incident and ask for help. At 16 this person has certain rights to privacy, for example he can speak privately with doctors and counselors, as another way to get help. Is this child still in HS?

He can report his beating and injuries to a teacher, or every teacher, until someone believes him and gets him help. Why are you concerned about a long legal battle? If this is someone you were dating, it’s important to note that a 20yo and a 16yo dating could be problematic in the eyes of LE, CPS, etc.  If this child is dealing with child abuse, addiction, and suicide ideation it will take a while for him to unpack. I hope you can be a supportive friend.


Title: I'm in Texas and having an issue with late fees my property manager is charging me.

Question: I just started a new job and I do not get my first check till Wednesday. The tenth. I was late on my part of the rent for a few days. It was paid the other day all but the late fees that they changed me. I'm fine with late fees but now they are charging me late fees on the late fees. Is this legal? Thanks

Answer: Read your lease. It’s most likely in there and most likely legal. You were late, you pay the late fees. Also might be worth to reach out and explain they may grant a one time exception.


Title: [KY] Sold a car and the guys girlfriend crashed it 2 days later, wants money back.

Question:
I had a used car that's been in the family for over a decade, I know the way it operates like the back of my hand.

Sold it to a guy at work asking $1,000 but I had to have the title reinstated bc I lost the paperwork (haven't used the car in a while).

 He test drove it and said he loved it, he paid $800 and said he'll pay the other $200 when the title comes back.

I cancelled the insurance the day he took it so any damage wouldn't be under my insurance.

He had it a couple days and his girlfriend crashed it into a ditch, sobriety and possession of a license on her part is questionable.

She said "the brakes failed so I crashed" which, I know my car, that's never happened.

Now she is blowing up my phone constantly through his number, being belligerent and demanding the money back. I told her to stop texting me and harassing me (she crashed the car and I have no idea who she is.) she called the tow company and got the car impounded herself. (It's in tow impound, not legal or city impound.)
She has also threatened to come to my work and has threatened me with physical confrontation and violence.

(completely separate legal advice but if they're threatening me and work where I work, would I have the ability to do something about that and would they have any repercussions that affect their job.)

The car was impounded after the crash and there are a lot of texts back and forth about the deal and him saying he loved the car.

There was no bill of sale or any legal paperwork exchanged because this was a mostly verbal transaction.

Any help would be appreciated. (On a side note: the car could take like $400 to get out of impound since it doesn't have the title. I know the original title is in my house so I could find it if that can help my case)

so any help would be appreciated thank you.

 If I have to pay the $800 back then you can be upfront about that too, I just want to know what's fair and what I can do since this wasn't COMPLETELY my fault.

Also if I can keep the $800 is there any way to get the other $200 since that was agreed upon at first if I can still get the title today from searching around.

 (This is really for a Friend but they don't have Reddit, but I'll relay all comments and comment for them. My friend also didn't want to go to court about it right away for fear of somehow being in some legal trouble for technically still being in the title or something)
THANK YOU VERY MUCH IN ADVANCE

Answer:
 > There was no bill of sale or any legal paperwork exchanged because this was a mostly verbal transaction.

Wait, so you never signed a bill of sale or anything?? You do realize those impound fees are racking up daily and they are going to come after you for them, right?

Your best bet is probably going to be to go get the car out of impound, pay whatever fees that requires, then get the vehicle fixed. If the total out of pocket costs are greater than $800, you will need to sue your friend for the difference. If it's less than $800, give your friend back the difference.


Title: Employer Took Away PTO

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 ~~Your location is very important here~~

Your recourse woudl be to sue them then. Or hire a lawyer to write a letter threatening to sue. Your evidence would be whatever you have that says you accrue X and they gave you less than X.


Title: I was involved as a customer in a fraud felony committed by a GameStop employee a few months ago. I was just told I was not allowed to be in that store anymore and that I was trespassing. Can I be prosecuted for entering that store again?

Question:
I’ll try to be as detailed and concise as I can. Basically, I went into a GameStop one day to shop and I was told by an employee (let’s call him Frank) that he could hook me up with deals. Hell yeah. Over the course of maybe two weeks he would text me and let me know “Hey come in and I’ll hook you up with a game.” So I would go in an pick up a game or two for an unreasonable discount. The total amount of stuff that I was supposed to have paid was somewhere around maybe $260. I don’t know how much I ended up paying, but no where near that much. Obviously I know it wasn’t allowed, but I was still paying as a customer, not stealing. Eventually I get a call from a sheriff asking me questions about Frank and how I know him and more questions about that GameStop. “I just knew him as the guy that worked there. He just told me he could hook me up with deals.” I was told I wasn’t in trouble and didn’t do anything legally wrong because I still legally paid for the games.
Fast forward to now, probably like 3 months later.  I walk into that same GameStop (I’ve been back there plenty time in the past few months) and I was told “So your number was linked to a bunch of fraudulent charges by a previous employee here that was actually prosecuted. So you aren’t allowed to shop at this store at all and you are trespassing.”
My question is, how legally binding is this, considering I didn’t commit any crime or misdemeanor, etc.? Can I be arrested for going in that store again?

Answer: You can definitely be trespassed from that GameStop if they banned you, which is sounds like they did. Do not plan on going in there again.


Title: USPS lost car title. Now have to replace at our cost?

Question:
This is in Indiana

We finally paid off the remainder of our loan on my wife's car, and had to wait for the title to be sent back to us. After weeks of waiting, my wife called USPS which had her call the bank for tracking, then once again back to USPS. USPS confirmed the package was lost. Now my wife has to go to the DMV once USPS sends us a lien release and get a new title. All charges incurred from this they're saying will be on us even though they lost the title and caused this headache. I'm not even worried about the costs, it's the fact they absolutely refuse to pay for losing it even though it was sent certified mail. What are my options here? It seems so petty, but is extremely annoying to me. Thanks in advance.

Answer: There's a difference between certified mail and insurance, sending something certified just verifies a receipt for sending and receiving of the mail, you can get shipping insurance but I don't know if it would have covered this if it had it


Title: Father's money garnished out of a jointly-held account

Question:
About a year ago, my father opened a joint checking account for me so I could make purchases with a debit card. I was to become the sole owner of the account when I turned 18 (I was a minor at the time). In all the time the account was used, I was the only one to make deposits and withdrawals.

A couple of weeks ago (before I turned 18), my father's bank accounts - including our jointly-held account - were garnished for an extremely large debt he has yet to pay off. I have since turned 18, closed the joint checking account, and am opening a new checking + savings account with another bank.

The amount that was garnished from the joint account was just a few hundred dollars, and my father has since paid me back, so I'm not too worried about disputing the garnishment in court. What I am worried about is this:

* Will the garnishment of this joint account affect my credit or credit score?

* Am I now associated with his debt in any way?

* Can my money in an account solely owned by me be liable in any way?

* In essence, will this garnishment negatively affect me in any way, other than the loss of the money in the account?

Thanks for your help.

Edit: I am in Oregon.
Topic:
Credit Debt Bankruptcy

Answer: The debt of a parent is not carried over to kids. The new account should be free and clear from garnishment and the debt should not be on your report. I would check your credit report as you can get one for free to make sure.


Title: If you're caught with weed in a group what happens?

Question: Lets say your at a party smoking a doobie and the cops come. They find the weed but no one says whose it is. Can they charge everyone with possession?

Answer: Yes


Title: Surprise, you're high! Weed edibles given out at bar with no labeling. (MA)

Question:
Sorry if this is jambled, I (28F) am still high as a kite as I write thi .

Long story short, my friends and I were out at a show at a local bar last night.   Later on in the evening, they (not sure if bar staff, but several people had serving trays and were making their way through the crowd) handed out what seemed to be hors d'oeuvres. Me being hungry, I ate a couple savory bites. I just remember them not being that tasty.

Fast forward 30 minutes, my friends and I learn that it was pot laced everything. And I had 5 pieces of whatever they served. Which is terrifying, because I already had a couple drinks and I don't usually eat edibles or THC as it makes me paranoid and nauseated. If I had known there was weed in the food, I would have stayed far clear from those trays.

And I got high.

In fact, the next morning right now, I am still high. I spent much of last night puking, and had to call one of my friends to come save from from the bar because everyone I came with got lost and I could barely walk. I'm a healthcare provider, on top of that, and had to call out of work. On my birthday. This looks really good, you see?

I'm trying to figure out how to justify this to my boss, because right now it looks like I partied too hard on my birthday and it is incredibly unprofessional to call out right before your shift starts. Do I tell them what happened? Should I let the bar know of this wasn't sanctioned by them?

Who the fuck gives out stealth edibles?!

Answer:
 This could get someone who is an athlete, soldier, truck driver or other heavy equipment driver fired for a failed drug test.  Please tell the bar to stop this.Answer #2: Edibles are fairly expensive. And you’re telling me not only are they being given away but no one even told you what they were?Answer #3: This could actually be battery, if they intended to dose you without your informed consent to eat thc laced brownies. If they were just careless in not informing you about what they were distributing, it could still be battery if it is illegal to distribute edibles like they did, but it is probably negligence.

Either way, if you want recourse from the bar, you should consult a lawyer. Personally, I would be totally honest with your employer, as you did nothing wrong. Lying about it could bite you in the ass later on though. Pursuing the bar legally would help convince your employer that you are telling the truth.Answer #4: This can't end well for the bar.

I don't have advice that hasn't already been shared here, but another angle of "it's really a bad idea to dose people without their consent": People in the military can still get in a bunch of trouble for using weed.  If one of the patrons that night was in the service, and has a piss test in the next few weeks, they're screwed.


Title: Car damaged in parking garage at work by construction crew

Question:
Asking this question on behalf of a friend. He parked his car in the a parking garage at work and there happened to be construction going on a floor above him. This parking garage is for a skyscraper building, so many tenants and not owned by his employer. Anyways, an industrial adhesive dripped on to his car in multiple areas and damaged the paint. He took his car to the dealership to get it fixed and plans on going after the building owner to recover his costs. He didn't get insurance involved because he's scared of his rates going up.

Personally, I don't think he has a case as I'm pretty sure the owner of the garage probably has something about not being liable for damages in their garage and it wasn't negligence on their part. I'm sure same applies to the construction company if he tried to go after them. However, I'm not a lawyer so was curious to see what you all thought.

Thanks

Edit: this is in Michigan

Update: my friend was directed to the construction company by the building who acknowledged they did spill some adhesive that could have dripped on his car. He's settling it with them now. Thanks for the help everyone

Answer:
 > Personally, I don't think he has a case as I'm pretty sure the owner of the garage probably has something about not being liable for damages in their garage and it wasn't negligence on their part.

Every single parking lot in America seems to have signs claiming they have no liability.  This does not make it true.  Of course your friend can sue the building owner for damages plus court costs.  Probably the building owner will just pay (and file a claim with their own insurance, or the insurance of subcontractors, or whoever) once he sends them a letter that explains what happened, includes photos, and includes the bill.
Answer #2: The building owner isn't necessarily at fault here, but the contractor doing the work certainly is.  Unless your friend parked in an area that he'd been told not to park or otherwise ignored the contractor's efforts to protect your friend and the rest of the public from harm, this is the reason that the contractor buys liability insurance.  He should get the name of that contractor from the building owner.


Title: My neighbor is likely crazy and is using the police to harass my wife and I.

Question:
So, first... some background.

We moved into an older development in 2009, because that was the only house that was within our budget, and the neighborhood didn't look *that* bad. We were the only white couple in a personally black neighborhood, but that's not so bad, since we're not into race politics or bigotry or anything. However, it appears or elderly neighbor doesn't share our laid back attitude.

At first, she didn't speak to us, and we didn't bother her aside from the cordial "good afternoon" or the like. Then one night, 3 or so years back, she caught my wife coming home at night alone, called her a "Pale-faced bitch" and threatened to stab her, because we have a porch light (like everyone else in the neighborhood).

Understandably, we called the police. They said it was a he said, she said thing, they "spoke to her." and it was over. They weren't going to do anything.

A month or so later, she repeats the process. We call again, the police say she's drunk and leave it at that. Again, nothing.

I talked to her son and told him his mother's behavior was ridiculous and that he needed to speak with her, and things cooled down (or so we thought).

Fast forward to the beginning of the year... I get a knock on the door, it's code enforcement. The crazy bitch next door went down to City Hall and rose a stink about our porch light until they opened a case and sent someone out.

I speak to the code enforcement officer, he says there's no way we're in violation with a porch light, and asks if he can come early in the morning and take a light reading. I of course agree and make an appointment to get up before sunrise and flip on the light for the gentleman. He comes in the morning, and guess what? We're way under the code for the city, and in fact, generate less penetrating light than the street lamp at the end of the driveway... He says he'll put it in his notes, and apologizes for the trouble.

So about a week later, I get some asshole banging on my door at midnight. It's the police. The neighbor had been wanting to them for the past two hours about our porch light and how we're trying to keep her awake by shining it in her eye at night.

I explain things to the officer, turn on the light, and tell him about the code enforcement officer visit a couple days prior. I insist that they do something about the neighbor because at this point it's verging on the point of harassment. He argues with me about it, and I tell him that it's a load of shit that we're being continuously bothered about wanting to be safe, especially with a neighbor who has already threatened bodily harm. He is dismissive, says he'll put it in his notes, and leaves.

Now, it's been a couple months, I'm at work, my wife is pregnant, and I get a panicked phone call from her at work... The local PD was banging on the door like it's a SWAT raid and woke her up... because the neighbor is ranting again. She can hear her screaming (and I hear it in the background), and she's afraid.

What the fuck can I do about this? We've already had difficulty getting pregnant, my wife is a high risk pregnancy, and I don't want to lose the baby because she's not sleeping and in fear.

We live in Gainesville, FL.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

Answer:
 Go to the police department during business hours. Bring your notes and the file from code enforcement. A sergeant or detective can open a report, which can then be placed in their dispatching system that complaints about your porch light are unfounded. They can also generate a report about her continued harassment, which will be useful if this continues. Answer #2: Go to the courthouse and file for a restraining order. Given that she has been threatening you, you should have a fair chance of getting it. If she calls the cops on you again they'll be a lot less sympathetic to her when you show them that she has been harassing you to the point that you got a restraining orderAnswer #3: IANAL but here's a few options:

- Ask her son what's going on.

- if you're part of an HOA, see if they can assist

- Set up a video facing your porch light, shut it off for a few weeks, and see what she does.   OR if you want to piss her off, get a higher voltage bulb that's legally allowed.Answer #4: Cameras.Answer #5: Get cameras. Wyze cameras are cheap.

Get a couple of these...
https://www.wyzecam.com/product/wyze-cam-v2/

and a couple of these...
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V5Q1K3O/

I have 2 of those in my windows pointing out. They work great and since its local storage, memory cards, no extra cost.
If you do point them out your window make sure to turn the night mode off. The glare from the window will not work with night mode on.

Video will make it your video VS their word.


Title: (Nebraska) got caught urinating in public what do I do?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: you can probably get a ticket lawyer to help you. also, you might want to think about the drinking thing. it seems to be causing you problems.Answer #2: Not to be paranoid, but be really careful with that particular charge.  In SOME jurisdictions, that can also be charged as public exposure, thereby requiring you to register as a sex offender.  I wish I was kidding.  Just be careful.


Title: Exploring abandoned buildings in Ohio

Question: So I was invited by a group of friends to go explore an abandoned factory. In Ohio, is this legal? I'm not sure if it is still owned or not. I am not going to join them if it is not legal AT ALL.

Answer: Trespassing. Someone owns the land, it may be the previous owners of the factory, it may be the state after years of unpaid taxes. That person is not you or your friends. Not legal.Answer #2: There is no such thing as unowned property. Somebody owns it. So unless it's been made open to the public that's trespassing.


Title: My landlord refuses to fix my wooden balcony that's rotting. Says it's not part of the apartment.

Question:
I've lived in my apartment with my boyfriend for almost 2 years now. The day we got the apartment, I realized that there were two holes in the upstairs balcony from rotting wood (one is much worse than the other but they are both very obvious gaping holes in the wood). The woman showing us the apartment said maintenance would be in to look at it that same day. Cool. We signed the papers, we were all set. That day the guy from maintenance never came. We gave it a couple weeks and called the office.

"Oh maintenance never came? Alright we'll send someone over."
The past two years have basically been a reoccurrence of this situation about 10 times or more. When they raised our rent by $220/month this past January, we went in to complain that we felt we should be compensated for the lack of maintenance, safety hazard, and the fact that we just don't get to use our balcony and our attempts to have it fixed have been completely ignored.

The manager said no, and that we could leave if we choose. She said that the balcony is not part of the apartment (even though they advertise the apartments having balconies when trying to sell them) and that we would not be compensated. She gave us thenumber of her superior, who never returned our call. The day this happened was the last day to resign the lease so we'd stayed because obviously there was no other choice.

Is there anything that can be done about this? Or is it just our bad luck that we're stuck with a p.o.s landlord? The. Al omg has gotten worse from snow and rain the past two years. It's also tilting forward. We just don't use it at all. Although I've thought of going out and jumping on it so that when it breaks and I get injured, I can sue them. (Just a daydream of mine). Help?

TL;DR my landlord won't fix our balcony that has gaping holes in it. I feel it's a safety hazard. Can anything be done legally?

Answer:
 Building inspector is your best bet. They will not fuck around with this: the risks are real.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_balcony_collapse


Title: Got a paraphernalia ticket 5 years ago. Just recently got a renewed my license after years and I got a letter.

Question: This is in Texas and I got it in a county that is 10 and a half hours away. The letter is threatening and says that I should contact them immediately or they will issue a warrant to arrest me. Would they arrest me? Like drive that distance, or will they get a sheriff to role by? I don't got the money to pay the fine and I'm down with serving time. Advice?

Answer: Did you not deal with the ticket from 5 years ago at the time?


Title: [PA] Citizens Bank now refuses to honor offer they made through USPS

Question:
Last year I moved to PA and registered a change of address with USPS. As part of the mail forwarding service I got to look through and select coupons from local business. I found one from Citizens Bank offering me $200 to open my new bank account with them.  Well I love "free" money so I selected the offer. USPS sent me an e-mail confirming the offer and gave me a link to click to print the coupon to bring to the bank which I did when I opened the account.  I met all the terms and then I just had to wait 6 months for the money to be deposited into my account.

By month 7 I still didn't have the money so I started taking to my local branch to try to find out what happened. I got the run-around for a long time, finally last week the new manager of the branch said "someone" in the "back office" refuses to give me the money unless I can provide the coupon number.  Silly me, I didn't keep a copy of the coupon. I have taken advantage of a similar offer with Chase Bank a couple of years ago with no issue, and I didn't think this experience would be different.  Even though I don't have the coupon number, I do have the e-mail from USPS confirming I selected the $200 offer, and Citizens Bank knows the offer exists and knows I met the terms. I had previously provided the e-mail from USPS confirming the $200 offer, but the link to the coupon is expired so I can't get another copy.

I am wondering where I can go from here. I know I can leave and take my business elsewhere (and I might), but it is a pain now that my accounts are all set up. I could get over being mad & getting the run around for a few months if they finally just give me the money they promised. I want to send a strongly worded letter to Citizens Bank, detailing my proof of the offer and my efforts over the last 3 months to solve the issue.  I want to firmly and politely make my point, and I want my money.

Is what Citizens Bank did considered fraud? Is a letter with proof and documenting the issue my best bet, and should I copy USPS on the letter? Thanks for any thoughts, I realize it is not a lot of money but now a matter of principle, I want Citizens Bank to know they cannot just refuse to honor their offer.

Answer:
 Your best bet is to file a complaint with the CFPB. Stick to the facts-- you presented the offer to Citizens when you signed up, they promised you met the qualifications and would get the bonus after 6 months, and in month 7 are now asking for proof. You no longer have the proof since you relied on their assurances that you met it in advance.

Citizens will most likely then give you the $200 without an argument. Answer #2: I personally had the same issue. Same exact offer.

I filed in NJ small claims court.  A few days after I started the suit, Citizens put the $200 in my account and **backdated** it on my statement to make it look like they did fulfill their obligations.


Title: [Seattle, WA] Me [33F] and partner [28/F] bought property in Vancouver, owner sold it to someone else after we'd signed contracts. What do we do now?

Question:
I've changed names for privacy reasons.

Me and my girlfriend now fiancee Bridget have been together for 7 years, and engaged for two years.

We bought a property in Burnaby, British Columbia as a second home, with intent to move there in the future.

It was our intent to use this for vacation and visit Vancouver every so often (we've got friends there, some friends in the LGBT scene there and such).

Anyway, the owner Paula (who we'd met, discussed and signed contracts with to buy the property) seems to have sold it to someone else, as we've seen on social media a photo of the exact house with the words "Sold to a buyer in the East Side".

We bought the house first, have paperwork.

I'm a US citizen, Bridget is a dual US-Canadian citizen due to Canadian mom, American dad. She's from Marpole, Vancouver, British Columbia so is obviously a Canadian citizen but is also a US citizen through her dad. This is relevant here somehow.

What should I do in this situation especially as it took weeks, months to negotiate this and it involves both American law and Canadian law?

I have tried contacting Paula but not heard back from her; both via email and telephone.

Do we need a specialist attorney for this sort of thing, and which jurisdiction would the case apply if it came before a court fo law?

Sorry if this is out of order, but we've basically been involved in this since July 2016, if this makes any sense to you.

I don't know much on what to do. Please help us.

Answer:
 You will need a lawyer specializing in real estate where the house/seller are at. Answer #2: We can't see the agreement that you signed, but was there an "out" of any kind in the agreement that would allow the seller to walk away from the agreement?  Did you actually pay any money to the seller yet?Answer #3: > it involves both American law and Canadian law?

It's not clear to me from your description that it involves American law (other than possible tax implications later on). This should be an entirely normal situation for a real estate lawyer in Vancouver to handle.Answer #4: How long ago did you actually buy the house?  And is it possible one of the sales was a scam?Answer #5: Have you confirmed the house was definitely sold out from under you, and it's not just mistakenly/incorrectly captioned on the social media site?Answer #6: Your post contains a lot of irrelevant info, but it's missing what matters. What are the terms of the signed agreement?Answer #7: I am not an attorney but I work in title/escrow. Just because you have an agreement signed does not mean you bought the house. The house/property is not yours until you have transferred the funds and recording/closing has taken place transferring the deed to you.
What were the terms of your agreement? You need to speak with the attorney and agents you used and not directly contacting the seller.... I feel there is much more to this.