Title: [OR, USA] My roommate situation is escalating fast, I want out, what are my options?

Question:
Last spring of 2016, me and my friends handed over a 1,800 dollar security deposit to start renting a house for the next school year. Now, in January, one of my roommates wishes to leave, and has as of now finished packing all her stuff. The problem is, is that she hasn't found a replacement roommate for herself, but she wants to get off our lease, which she cant do without the rest of our signatures because we don't want to sign until she DOES find a replacement.

After a bunch of arguing, she said that she would continue to pay rent....if we each payed her for her security deposit back because she didn't trust us. We said no. She left crying, and we all were like :I.

I came home later tonight to find a hole in my ceiling, where it was previously starting to cave in due to water damage or age. I know it was my other roommate who's pissed who did it, but I know I can't prove it and do anything about it. However, my concern is is I now don't think my landlord or property management is going to fix it. We have filed multiple maintenance request to get things like leaks and broken sparking heaters fixed, with no response.

I don't think my house is safe to live in, my roommates are immature and don't want to do anything about it, I want out, but don't want to ruin my parents credit (because we co-signed).

Can I legally send them a letter saying I want these things fixed within a certain timeframe or I'm leaving? What is the proper thing to do?
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 1. don't cave into your other roommate, it's her problem if she wants out of a lease and can't find a replacement.
2. give your landlord written notice of the collapsed ceiling by certified mail, in addition to a courtesy call, and if they do not fix it in a reasonable time period contact your local building inspector, tenant board, or equivalent authority to let them know the ceiling has collapsed in a rental property.


Title: [IN] Doctor No-Show Fee but Never Made an Appt.

Question:
In Indiana. I about 3 months ago, I had some bad stomach issues. Went to my GP, he couldn't see anything wrong. Said I could go see a specialist. I left the GP office expecting to get contact information or a referral to a specialist, but I never got one. Issue went away in 3 days.

Today, I get a letter in the mail. I live in the basement of an old ladies house. It's a bill for the specialist. $30 for a no-show. I never made an appointment with this doctor. Never talked to them on the phone, nor signed. My GP didn't give me a date and time to see them.

$30 isn't that bad of a hit, but let's face it. Graduate student and living in a basement on a blowup mattress, I'm not rolling in dough. I'll most likely end up paying this as I don't want to have this go into collections.

I understand why Doctor's Offices do this, and I'm all for the policy to be enforced on patients who promise to show up at a certain time/date. But why can someone charge a person for an appointment when there is no paperwork or agreement?

Answer:
 Start by calling the billing number on the invoice and telling them you never made an appointment, you are being billed in error.  Be very nice and very polite and try to get to the bottom of it.  If they say your GP made an appointment for you, tell them that you were never advised of any appointment and you would like the charge reversed.  If that fails, call your GP and tell them that you were never given an appointment and now are being charged for a no-show.  Can they fix it for you.

Doctors refer to each other and it is possible the GP's office could get a fee cancellation as a "courtesy" if the specialist's office is uncooperative.

That doesn't answer your legal question, but IANAL.


Title: Follow up: almost arrested for calling workers douche bags

Answer: Congratulations, the vague details you gave a bunch of online people resulted in something other than the expected result suggested by the vague details you gave us. You are the shit. You win the internet.


Title: Builder Has Asked me to change models or lot for newly purchased preconstruction home

Question:
Hi, I need some assistance in figuring out what my rights are.
I've just recently purchased a preconstruction home.
In the agreement it specifies the model and elevation of the home and lot.

I received a call not too long ago from the builder saying they made a mistake and that the lot next to mine has picked the same model and elevation, but the information was not updated on their records.

They are now asking me to change the model or lot, and personally I spent a lot of time deciding and do not want to change either unless they are willing to provide me some incentive to do so.

The irrevocable date is Oct-12, but now with this news, does that make my contract null?

Also can I demand they build the model and elevation listed in my purchase agreement?

What are my options here?

Thanks

Lenovo

Answer:
 Are you working with a real estate agent?  I hope you are, because they can be of great help in these situations.Answer #2: A bit of informal advice: this is one of those situations where you can fight and be miserable and get stuck with a result you don't want, or you can make your own counter offer. Putting your head in the sand and insisting on something that they can't give you will not get you what you want.

Explore the neighborhood. Find other suitable lots, even if they are more expensive or desirable. Find better models, or insist on improvements to the model you want. Find your alternative; don't wait for them to find it and low ball you.

Another way to look at it: It is an almost certainty that they are having the same conversation with the owners of the other house. Whoever doesn't make a deal will lose the opportunity to upgrade their home at the builder's expense; the other will have exactly what they had before, or possibly less.

Which one do you want to be?


Title: Competitor took our domain name with a different tld. What's our recourse?

Question:
We've been running a company for over 10 years, and we found out that one of our direct competitors registered our domain name (example.com) as a .co (so, example.co) and redirected it to his website (douchebag.com).

Do we have any legal recourse in this? I feel as if I started a search company and bought the google.x domain for a new TLD, I'd lose it immediately, but I'd like to be sure before we bother getting a lawyer involved.

Edit - Both companies are based in Florida, USA.

Answer:
 Not legal advice, consult with an attorney

https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/udrp-2012-02-25-en

For US-based arbitration you'd use National Arbitration Forum (http://domains.adrforum.com/) as a UDRP dispute.

These are legally binding and are standard for cyber-squatting and trademark infringement related domain claims. You could also directly sue the other company, but be prepared to spend more money than the ~1500 in filing and arbitration fees required for UDRP. Also, UDRP claims are quite simple to make, the paperwork is not incredibly challenging. Especially if your claim is so clear cut.

You can also have a lawyer send a letter to them letting them know that if they do not cease use of the name and transfer the domain you will take further legal action.


Title: I’m sorry I’m doing my job?

Question:
Hey, I have no idea if this is the proper place to put this but I thought what the hell. This is the backstory to set the scene. I work as a supervisor in a big wholesale company. Our company deals a lot with upgrades and renewals of memberships and recently our store manager has been crazy about them so the other supervisors and myself have been really strict on our cashiers about productivity. Well, this has made some cashiers angry and they’ve been catching attitudes with everyone.

We recently had a company party and I said a comment as a joke to one of the cashiers and she took it super offense. The comment was mean girl style “you can’t sit with us” and she took it to heart and yelled at me so I naturally rolled my eyes at her. Without me knowing she told another cashier and when I left my other supervisor went to where she was sitting and the other cashier said “no you can’t sit here, blah blah blah” and later after the party that supervisor got an apology. Well I knew it was wrong and she obviously caught feelings so I went to my manager and asked her to sit down with the original cashier I said the comment to so I can apologize and just work it out. I apologized and I thought ok that’s the end of it, me and her both need to work out our professional relationship. But no, apparently that’s not it

I found out that these two cashiers have been making a deal to not properly work with me and are saying they’re going to call corporate and sign a petition to fire me. Me and the other supervisor told my manager and even she was saying if anything happened she had my back because I didn’t do anything wrong. I do have a really strong personality and I have worked on it and toned it down that even the manager I most butt heads with has told me I have improved. My question right now is if these cashiers keep on pushing is there anything I can legally do to them?

I cant and won’t fire someone because of something as trivial as this and I understand being upset but to say you want me to loose my job because I’m telling you you have to do your job and you can’t take a joke? I feel harassed and hurt and it’s just not ok.

Edit: currently happening in NJ
Topic:
Douche

Answer:
 You aren't being harassed.

Your location matters, but generally your coworkers are free to complain about you. Your employer is free to fire you, or not fire you as they choose.

If you are fired, you can file for unemployment. Answer #2: No. You cannot stop them from wanting you fired or complaining about you.


Title: Arrested, convicted, appealed, and acquitted! Can't get the record off background check (California and Tecas

Question:
Hi all,

15 years ago, my bf (M44) got arrested for a sex crime, was charged and convicted.  Two years later, he was granted an appeal. The woman had lied and, in short, his conviction was overturned.

He's always been nervous because arrest records are public, but don't give information about how the case turns out.  So far, things have been ok...He's terrified that someone at his work will find out, or that friends will Google him, etc.

This weekend, we were denied on an application for an apartment. The reason was that he violated their "sex offender policy."

I do realize we have the right to contest the results; however, the background check company has 30 days to rectify it.  We need to move for a job transfer sooner than that.

Does anyone know what we can do about this now?  We've considered taking the records with us during the application process, but this might be a mistake. The state we are moving to is far away and we've already wasted the time we had to travel there to apartment hunt.  We will have to spend another small fortune on flights and hotels and we can't afford to go again just to be denied.

We considered renting in my name, but his income is higher and he should be able to be on the lease.

We're scared to apply for another apartment. There are so many background check companies and if they have outdated information, what can we do.  Plus, it is embarrassing and distressing to him... The thought of living in a community where there is even a shadow of a doubt that he might have committed this crime is abhorrent.

Any advice or suggestions would be welcome.  I'm very stressed at the idea that I'm supposed to move in two weeks and don't have an apartment lined up.

I can't edit the subject, but it's Texas, not Tecas.

tl;dr: We got turned down for an apartment because my boyfriend's criminal record is not right...what are our options?

Answer:
 > We've considered taking the records with us during the application process, but this might be a mistake.

How do you figure?  If the record is showing up, then you need to explain it.  As is, you haven't yet proven that the record is **wrong**.  Criminal history records show the following:

1. Arrests
2. Charges
3. Convictions

Your boyfriend was arrested, charged and acquitted.  If the record reflects that, then there's nothing to correct and it's on you guys to explain it.  Answer #2: IANAL: I work for a court clerk's office.

What people usually do in these types of situations is obtain certified copies of the important records pertaining to their case. If you're able to present the certified order of acquittal, that can go a long way to prove your boyfriend is clean. Our office charges $11 for certified copies and we can even email out electronically certified versions of our documents. Answer #3: Are you moving to California or Texas? California has many consumer protection laws regarding criminal charges and convictions. Texas does not. Contact a tenant organization in the State you are moving to.


Title: Employer failed to check his insurance contract and whether he could hire me. Worked for him for 2 weeks, says he won't pay me.

Question:
North Carolina

A bit more complicated than the title...

I was recently offered a job at a private practice clinic. I was offered either to be paid $30/hr for 40 hrs/wk OR to be paid 65% of receipts from my work. I chose the 65% option. I worked for them for two weeks, after which they realized they didn't have a useable contract with the health insurance company, and it will be 3 months until they get one.

I chose the 65% option because I had the intent of staying there long term. I knew it would be little money in the beginning, but with the hope of building long term clientele. However, if I had not had intentions of staying with him long term and just taken the hourly pay, I would have been paid for the last couple weeks.

In order to take this job I had to become licensed. I took the due diligence to do that paperwork and pay that fee, but they didn't take any due diligence to make sure the health insurance contract was in place. Is there not something like a mutual understanding during an employment that the employer has done their work to determine if they are able to hire you?

Since this was their mistake in hiring me before getting the contract, does that give me any rights at all? Can I claim for the 2 weeks I worked, or anything for the 3 month waiting period?

Is it worth pursuing this further? I don't know what to do, very frustrated and feel very taken advantage of.

**UPDATE***

I know that it was a few days now since I posted this, so don't know if anyone will read this... but an update...
The employer has said that he will not pay anything, that it was BOTH of our faults, that I was responsible for knowing the reimbursement and contract with the health insurance company. Which, there is no way I could have known what kind of contract the company had with the health insurance company.
His reasoning is that he is not willing to compensate me for my time, and in return he is not going to ask me to compensate him for the money he has spent on me during the hiring process. !!! He can't do that, right... ???

Answer: You can file an unpaid wages claim or you can sue on your own for what you are owed.


Title: Can I report this to police?

Question:
First I want to apologize for possibly wrong subreddit. If it is wrong please point me in right direction. So I got into a fender bender (if you can call it that) basically she merged into me while on the freeway. She pulled over and when I asked for insurance she searched her car for 15 minutes she couldn't find it. And she her husband is out of town so she can't call him and ask to find it. I get her vehicle info, name, name of insurance company, and registration number. She told me she would call me with the info so I said ok like what else was I to do? Search her car? she did call me but with no insurance info. She called to ask me if I could tell her the estimate and she may pay out of pocket. I asked when she thinks she'll have it, she said around 3 o'clock and it's almost 6. I was advised to not even talk to any mechanic shop until I get her info. Idk what to do I want my car fixed like brand new because it basically is. I'm thinking isn't it illegal to drive around without proof of insurance? I even tried suggesting pull up the company's app. But like wtf I'm really stressing out about this any help is appreciated.

EDIT: if it helps I am in California
Topic:
Insurance

Answer:
 She's probably a liar and has no insurance. She would really like you not to report the accident..

File a police report, you can ask the police for her insurance info, they may be able to provide it.

Make a claim with your own insurance company. They will pursue the other driver as necessary to recover money for damages.


Title: Will a misdemeanor for public drinking show on my record? Should I try to fight this in court?

Question:
Hey everyone!

\*\*Location\*\*: Pasadena, California

\*\*Incident\*\*: I had lunch at a public park where I consumed a alcoholic beverage from a can contained in a paper bag, I was quickly approached by the police where I was told that it was a "misdemeanor with a fine" with an unknown value until court appearance.

\*\*Question\*\*:  So, I was wondering if this will be permanently on my record or appear in a background check? Specifically for when employers background check? If so, is it worth fighting in court? I am worried about it affecting my job opportunities in the future as I already have a record for possession, DUI, and reckless. How should I proceed?

Sorry, its my first time posting and if I broke any rules.

Thanks for your help!

Answer: You have a possession. dui, and reckless charge. Those will already show up on any background checks.  This one won’t make much difference.


Title: Invited to Fly out for Interview. Missed Flight. Am I responsible for flight cost?

Question: I was invited to fly out to a company for an interview months ago. No longer interested in job, since I have accepted offer, but still planned only flying out. Slept through alarm and missed the flight. Flight was already prepaid for by the company. Panicked, I emailed an excuse about a medical issue. He sent me back a form to have my doctor fill out called an Attending Physician Statement (APS) for flight/travel insurance. Whats my best move here? I don't really have the money to pay for the flight as a university student. Am I in any legal danger if I dont fill it out? I have an uncle who is a doctor, could he fill it out and still be legally safe? are APS's easily filled out by a doctor even if there was no doctors visit? Please Help

Answer:
 Just as an aside, in the future, you should not interview with companies if you have no intention of taking the job, particularly if the company is spending money on flying you out. Would you like it if they called you in for an interview with no intention of hiring you because they had someone else in mind? It's just common courtesy. As for the flight, they may or may not come after you for the money. Either way, you've burned some bridges with this company and that may come back to haunt you.Answer #2: Did you tell them you went to the doctor or that you were just ill?

If you didn't tell them you went to a doctor, tell them you had explosive diarrhea and leave it at that.  People don't ask too many questions about explosive diarrhea.

Truthfully, we fly candidates out a lot and sometimes things go wrong. I've never gone after a potential candidate for missing a flight (life happens sometimes), but that candidate would likely never be invited back for any position.  Having said that, I would try to claim through insurance if the opportunity existed.  So, there's that.

Whatever you do, don't commit insurance fraud.  Just gracefully back away.  You were 1 of likely many applicants they were flying out to interview.  I'd bet a buck that they're not going to go after a candidate who missed a flight over funds.


Title: "If you don't put insurance on the car in 24 hours they will cancel your drivers license" meaning?

Question: I was at the place where I bought my car at (salvage car dealership) to pick up my registration, bill of sale, and temporary license plate from the state. As I left the lady said "If you don't put insurance on the car in 24 hours they will cancel your drivers license". What does tha mean?

Answer:
 > "If you don't put insurance on the car in 24 hours they will cancel your drivers license". What does tha mean?

Pretty much exactly what it says.  It sounds like you live in a state that automatically suspends the driver's licence of the registered owner of a car that is not covered by some minimum amount of insurance coverage.


Title: Legality of restraining intoxicated person to prevent them from harming themselves?

Question:
My friends put on a small music festival in New Mexico, and a person had some sort of breakdown (probably drug induced) and started  running full force into a tree head first. Some people restrained him and called the ambulance but there was some question about the legality of restraint (we restrained him anyway, because what the hell else were we going to do?)

From looking on Find Law there is no specific mention of non-medical personnel restraining people to prevent them from harming themselves. There was a small first-aid volunteer force with basic first aid training, and some doctors and nurses in attendance (there for the festival not to work), but nobody  at the event was there in the capacity of highly trained professional medical staff (again it was a small festival with a limited budget).

What is the legality of restraint in a situation like this? I doubt the person was going to sober up and call his lawyer to initiate civil proceedings (he hasn't as of yet---and he probably doesn't even remember), but I was just curious as to what is technically permissible or advisible in a situation like this. Is it permissible to restrain someone who everyone agrees is going to seriously harm themselves if they are not restrained?

Answer:
 You should be in the clear under New Mexico's Good Samaritan law. It allows people responding to an emergency (even if they aren't trained professionals) to do so without risk of civil liability.

Good on you for proceeding even without knowing that the law protected you.


Title: Who can arrest the chief of police?

Question:
was watching a yt video and the verdict was that the chief of poliece was held in contempt and if they don't pay back the money they seized, then the town manager and the chief of poliece will be arrested.  Who has the athority to arrest the chief of police?
Morresvill NC

Answer: Anyone.  It's just a job.  He isn't a birthright ruler


Title: As the executor of my father's estate (US - NJ), does my spouse have a claim to what's in the estate account during a separation/divorce? (x-post from /personalfinance)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 You do NOT have to sit on the money for six years. You should be able to be completely done in about a year all told, unless there is something weird about the estate. You should also be taking it to probate court well before the estate is closed.

As executor, the money is not yours. You are basically a trustee for it. It belongs to the beneficiaries. Only they and the deceased's creditors have a claim on it


Title: he German embassy in Vancouver won't give my German dad his passport. Help! [Canada]

Question:
[Cross-posted](https://np.reddit.com/r/germany/comments/45j9no/the_german_embassy_in_vancouver_wont_give_my/) to /r/Germany

*The.

So this all happened about 15 years ago. Since then my dad's health has failed and he gave up on ever getting a passport again. But now I'm trying to get my own German passport (since I'm a dual citizen), and I need his passport to apply. From the sounds of it the passport is actually still sitting in the German embassy in Vancouver (not 100% sure though).

Previously, every time he renewed his passport here in Vancouver, BC he gave them his old passport when he went to pick up his new passport. This time they asked for it while he was making his renewal application. He didn't think anything of it and gave it to them.

When he went to pick up his passport they wouldn't give it to him without seeing his Canadian Permanent Resident card. While he has had PR status for over four decades now, he's never had a card for it before. So he went to apply for a card (this is 15 years ago still), but when he went to pick up his card, they wouldn't give it to him without seeing his passport.

From my understanding he went back and forth several times and both sides refused to budge. No passport without a PR card. No PR card without a passport. Both documents had definitely been physically made and were sitting in their respective offices waiting to be picked up.

Luckily he's fine here in Canada and has no intention or need to leave (he can't now, with his health), but damn. Having your government leave you stranded in a foreign country without your passport is really scary. It boggles my mind that such a dangerous pothole can even be allowed exist.

My dad was talking to a lawyer about it way back when, but it never got anywhere before his health declined and he gave up on the whole thing. Does anyone have any advice? If I need to get a lawyer what kind of lawyer would I even get for this situation?

Answer:
 Why in the world would they need to see his PR card? What if he was just trying to return to Germany? Or a tourist here that needed a replacement passport?  It's almost certainly not a requirement. While the passport almost certain *is* a requirement to get the PR card. So you need to focus your efforts on the German embassy. Escalate to the chargé d'affaire if you have to. They're Germans. Make them show you the regulation which requires it. Answer #2: Like many other countries, Germany usually only issues passports that are valid for 10 years. If your story played out 15 years ago, then he doesn't have a current German passport at all, regardless of where his last one might physically be.

Looks like the PR Card application can accept more than just passports as a form of ID, though. [Read section 2.](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5445ETOC.asp#5445E4)


Title: [US] Being denied entry in the US-Canada border at 16 years old

Question:
My family has a planned vacation to Toronto in 2 weeks and we realized that since my brother turns 16 a few days prior to the trip, he must have a passport to enter the US again since he is considered an adult. We have his original birth certificate and social security card, but he does not have a passport. You can enter Canada at 16 with only a birth certificate since they consider you a minor, but you can't come back without a passport. Can he be denied entry to the US? What if we brought both his birth certificate, social security card, and his soon to be enhanced learner's permit, which would only be temporary since he plans on getting it 2 days before entry to Canada?

EIDT: We are natural born US citizens

Answer: If you are flying, you should get the expedited passport.  First, because the airline may decline to board you without one.  Secondly, Pearson Airport in Toronto has "preclearance", where there are U.S. Customs agents looking at your papers while you are still in Toronto...so the sort of "I'm here at the border and I'm a citizen, so you have to let me in" games that would really work at most border crossings won't work there...the customs guys are standing in some sort of extraterritorial enclave, or something.


Title: Someone made numerous fraudulent charges on my credit card and due to their oversight, I now know their physical address and email address. What should I do?

Question:
Yesterday I received a package at my new apartment of two months that I did not order. After checking my credit card statement, I found almost 8 other purchases (mostly for vitamins and cosmetics) in the past month totalling $300 which I did not recognize.

After cancelling the card and reporting the charges, I took a closer look at the mysterious package. The vendor receipt had my name and previous address but someone else's email address. It looks like USPS rerouted the package to my new address because I gave them a forwarding notice when I moved recently....because the identity thieve used my name, USPS noticed and forwarded to my current address. It's very likely that the other items the thieve ordered were shipped via UPS or FEDEX (where I did not issue a forwarding notice) so they were successfully delivered to them at my old address.

Now I have the culprit's email address and physical address. Is there anyone I should alert or anything I should do to retaliate or is this something I should just let go since steps have been taken protect myself from further harm?

Answer: Yes, pass that information to the cops and your credit card's security department.


Title: Marijuana DUI

Question:
Feel free to to delete this if it's not allowed.

Just curious if anyone has experience with this. I live in Florida and someone I know got a weed dui and had a large amount to sell. If you don't have any weed on you, is it really difficult for a cop to prove you were high while you were driving? I don't think there is really a test for that, like there is for alcohol. What does an officer do if they believe someone was impaired?

Answer:
 > I don't think there is really a test for that, like there is for alcohol.

They can draw blood and test for active THC. Answer #2: Look for signs of impaired driving. Pull them over. Questioning. Look for signs of marijuana consumption. Field sobriety test. There are plenty of signs for a trained cop to find.


Title: [Alberta, Canada] Ex-Builder Placed a lien on my property

Question:
Hi Folks,

Just wanted some opinion on my situation.

I have a house which was destroyed in the Fort Mcmurray wild fires. I went with a contractor provided by my insurance company for the re-build. The builder and I did not have a contract, he started developing plans for my house, I asked him to change the plans to something I wanted, and he refused and demanded payment. I refused, and went with another builder. He sent me the completed plans a couple of days after, which I did not use, and re-designed my entire house.

Fast forward to now, he filed a lien against my house, which is 90days+ after he sent me the completed work. According the Alberta Lien Act, he cannot file a lien after 45 days of the work being completed. (So I am assuming he falsified information)

Is there anyway I can remove the lien with just this pretense. In Alberta he has 6 months to file a lawsuit, but in the mean-time I cannot sell my house, which I was planning on doing.

The only option I have is to pay the bond, for the amount of the lien, but I was looking for an alternative option.

Update 1: I talked to the insurance company, they did not seem very pleased with their approved vendor coming after me. According to them, they have already paid my vendor for his services. Now I am waiting to hear back from them, and how they want to handle this. Thanks for all the tips guys. I will keep you updated.

Answer:
 > I went with a contractor provided by my insurance company for the re-build.

What did your insurance company say when you told them about this whole sequence of events?

Was the plan that your insurance payout would go directly to the contractor to rebuild the house, without ever going to you?


Title: Police called late yesterday, asking me to call them back asap

Question:
EDIT:

I called back and got the scoop. I own another house that I don't personally manage (hence it didn't cross my mind). The tenant was threatening to hurt himself, and the police were trying to get a hold of a key.

So as it turns out, I overreacted and let my imagination run wild. Thanks for all the great advice!

ORIGINAL POST:

I got a voicemail from an officer at 12:30 last night asking to call her back asap. I've been home since work (5) yesterday and have been in no significant legal trouble in the past. Absolutely no clue what the reasoning is.

What reason would they have to call at that hour? Would they call that late if they were investigating something or only if an incident had just occurred relating to me?

Should I call back or wait for them to provide more context?

Answer: Did you get a name or a department?   Or just someone saying I am "officer so and so call me back?"


Title: Ipad lost-- Pinged at a company that sells lost baggage who "can't find it to return it"

Question:
First off, this is for a family member who is mainly looking for return to get photos of a trip to Cuba her and her recently deceased husband took.

So ~July 13th, family member leaves iPad in magazine holder on Southwest Plane, she didn't realize it was lost for a week and likely didn't file with Lost in Found.

Sept 21st (70 days later), Find my iPhone pings it at the Lost Baggage sales floor.  A place in Alabama that buys lost baggage from airlines and resells it. Find my iPhone has it locked with our phone numbers.  It is turned on at 7am and off at 10am (possibly battery died).  We call them and they say they will look for it to return to us.

Call several times a week for next 40 days.  Always "still looking for it."

Come Nov 9th (124 days after loss), It pings again, no location given, but shows someone is messing with it and our message with our Phone number was displayed.  I just got off with a new rep that says they checked the Serial numbers and they don't have it/can't find it.  So officially a no on return, a nice version of 'stop calling.'

Questions:
1. What do I do next?

2. What legally allows them to buy lost items that I can prove had messages with contact info?

Tech question:
1. What do they think they are going to do with a locked iPad anyways?  I thought they were just bricks once they were locked through find my iPhone.

Answer:
 I would call them and ask if they have an iPad for sale. Make it clear that you want to buy it, not reclaim it.

I'm not sure which law would exactly apply here since the loss happened on an airplane. The default answer might be the destination airport where it was left behind, but honestly I'm not sure. But the law in most places allows for people who wind up in possession of lost property to eventually claim it or dispose of it as they see fit. You don't say what happened between the time it was lost and the time you pinged it, but if your aunt made no serious effort to collect it then legally I would guess that it is no longer her property.

I can't answer the tech question, but whether the thing is bricked or not they have no incentive to rifle through their inventory trying to get it back to you. And it's possible they've sold it on anyway to someone who thinks they know how to resurrect it.Answer #2: That'd be one of the places that resales baggage, it's rather famous.

At this point, it's probably a loss. Perhaps check with your home insurance provider? Answer #3: Call the police.


Title: Dirty judge

Question:
I'm so frustrated. I literally lost a case that was almost impossible to lose. This takes place in Delaware.

I handed the judge all of my papers and walked him through it. He said that I didn't prove my case, but the defendant admitted in court that he never sent papers or my security deposit within 20 days of terminating my lease. I don't know why the judge ruled against me other than the fact that he's dirty, and he must be friends with the defendant who is very well known in the community.

Now I'm wondering if the defendant can sue me for "more money" because he sent me a deductions list asking for more money after we had received a court date? He made upgrades to the place and everything. I really don't think it's fair, so I'm wondering what my next steps are? I don't want to let this go because the judge obviously changed the laws to benefit the landlord who broke them. Am I stuck or do I have other options when a judge lied?

I can't even believe I'm typing this right now. I don't see how a person who admits fault wins.

Answer:
 It's very confusing from your post what's going on at all. You should consider if that is possibly a reason why the judge didn't agree with your argument.

It seems like this is about someone getting evicted, but you refer to the landlord as the defendant. Are you suing your landlord for wrongful eviction? The landlord can give you notice multiple ways, not simply the one way that you want to show he didn't do. If this has been ruled upon, you can appeal the decision. Answer #2: Appeal it from conciliation court to district court.


Title: Wife has been called to testify in regards to daycare incident

Question:
Location: N.Y. State

Sorry about any typos or formatting, I'm doing this on mobile.

My wife works at a daycare around the corner from our house. About 2 months or so ago, she witnessed another daycare employee abusing a child. The daycare tried to sweep it under the rug; they told the parents it was an accident and just tried to handle the employee discipline internally. Some of the other employees reported the incident to CPS (or whoever the authorities are) and there was a pretty big shitstorm, the employee was fired as well as the supervisor that tried to sweep it all under the rug, and the local media got involved.

Fast forward to today. The owner of the daycare came to my wife and said she's being called to testify at a hearing about the incident as well as write a letter to the judge about it. My wife is very nervous because she's never been to court and doesn't know what to expect. She's also not from this country and has confidence issues with English. Are there any tips you guys can provide me to help support her and prepare her to testify? Does anyone know if she can get an interpreter? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
 The owner of the daycare doesn't get to summon your wife to court.

If she is actually summoned to testify, the attorney for whichever side has called her will want to speak with her and prepare her with some of the questions that are incoming.  Random surprise witnesses with shocking information don't happen in real life.Answer #2: As others have said, her boss can't assign her to testify. If he accepted a subpoena with her name on it, he needs to give it to her. At that point she should contact the attorney named in the subpoena and go from there.Answer #3: If she has to go- subpoena

The court can order a real translator (can’t use family or friends) if that would make your wife feel more comfortable. She needs to give them advance notice so they can get one.


Title: [California] Incorrectly placed crown breaks tooth. Malpractice?

Question:
Backstory: In October of 2015 I underwent a root canal (first tooth behind canines) and had several fillings worked on. Note that none of those fillings were on the tooth in question. It all hurt for days and it felt like it was compressing the teeth behind it. The pain increased and I had what was could be described as Trigeminal Neuralgia. I don't know if that was related to the dental work, but the effected area was very close by to a tooth that was worked on. I brush twice a day and floss every second or third day.

Main issue: Today, the tooth behind the crown cracked. A sizable chunk of tooth (for a tooth) broke off the side where the crown pressed upon it. The compression pain is now gone and I have no idea what I can do to address this. I'm feeling distrustful of that dentist ever since I looked up the Trigeminal Neuralgia issue (and since it's repeated), so now I'm looking for some advice. Thank you in advance for everyone's help.

Answer:
 Medical malpractice is very fact specific and it is unfortunately beyond the scope of this subreddit. It is highly recommended to speak with a medical malpractice attorney; your state's bar may be able to refer you to one. They typically work on contingency, meaning there is little up front cost to you. Similarly, consultations are typically free. It wouldn't hurt to meet with one, have them look over your info, and go from there.

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Title: Please help. I just learned that my brother made suicidal remarks to his oncologist and nothing was done. He went home and shot himself after his appointment. (OH)

Question:
My brother was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in October of last year. The chemo was very hard on his body and he was pretty sick for a long time. This past February, he killed himself.

Yesterday, I found a folded up piece of paper in my mailbox, which was particularly strange as it was Easter Sunday. It was from the nurse at the oncologists who saw him only a couple of hours before he died. It started by her saying she felt guilty and appalled at how the oncologist handled some remarks my brother made before he left the office. She claimed that she was present because it was commonplace for nurses to go in and hand out patient education materials as the appoint was wrapping up.

The short version is, the oncologist said that they weren't making as much progress as he would like, even with a poor prognosis like lung cancer, and he wanted to switch to an even more intense form of chemo. My brother was visibly distraught by this, as he had been so sick with the last treatment. As the doctor was typing up his notes, my brother said "I don't even know why I keep going on anymore." The doctor offered some condolences (but his bedside manner was not the greatest, so who knows what he actually said) and finished the appointment.

The nurse then had to leave to get some additional paperwork for my brother, but when she came back, he had already left the building. She checked in with the registration desk and they said that he claimed he didn't need a follow-up appointment and walked out. Which is absolutely untrue, the oncologist wanted to start the new chemo and have a follow-up appointment soon. It looks like my brother decided right then that he had had enough and just left.

I am distraught, livid, and frankly feel betrayed. We've already had his funeral and have been trying to grieve and move on, and now this bombshell.

Where do I go from here? Who do I contact? I want justice done. But I don't even know who to talk to or where to start. As far as I'm concerned, that oncologist killed my brother.

Answer:
 That oncologist didn't kill your brother. Your brother killed your brother. Let's get that straight. The oncologist could have acted differently.

You can report the doctor to the state licensing board.Answer #2: >As far as I'm concerned, that oncologist killed my brother.

No, he did not.   Your are in the grip of grief, and I sympathize, but the cancer and his despair killed your brother, not his doctor.

"his bedside manner was not the greatest" is not a matter of a standard of care.   The nurse might have been appalled, or feel guilty, but there's no possible claim that your brother's estate could make for negligence against an oncologist who you think didn't also provide sufficient psychiatric services.

I'm so sorry to hear of your brother's death.   Work out your grief, in any way you can, but there's no possibility that the oncologist is responsible for your brother's cancer or his actions.Answer #3: Medical Malpractice is beyond the scope of this sub. But I will say that nothing you've posted appears to rise to that level.

Do what you need for closure, but keep your expectations realistic.


Title: Help with colleges taking advantage of students.

Question:
Hello, I'm a student at St. Ambrose University and they have a policy that every student MUST have a meal plan. Those meal plans start at around $1,000 a semester for the cheapest one, which is only 7 meals a week for 15 weeks ($9.52 per meal) and they go up from there. There is also a policy that students aren't allowed to live off campus without having significant amounts of scholarships taken away from them, the only exception being when a student commutes at which point you have to prove you've lived here or in the immediate vicinity for 3 years or more. There are apartments on campus (I live in one) that has full access to a kitchen, private bathrooms, and public laundry. The apartments on campus are just like regular apartments but they are owned by the evil overlords of St. Ambrose. I can cook three meals a day, healthily (which is not something that is offered in the cafeteria), and deliciously (also not offered in the cafeteria) for under $160 a month. I would save $350 cooking my own food three times a day rather than paying for one unhealthy disgusting meal a day in a semester.

That being said, here is the question. There is an appeal process to get the meal plan waived but only through medical reasons and financial hardship. I pay for all of my own schooling, most of which comes from student loans which we all know are expensive. The university requires in order to appeal financially that I would have to provide them with extensive financial records in order to prove that I cannot afford the meal plan. Is that even legal? I honestly know nothing about it, but it seems that a private university forcing its student body to pay more regardless of the need should not be legal. And above that, if I say that I can't afford it what rights do they have to my financial records?

Thanks for all of the help, and sorry for the long windedness.

**Tl;Dr**: University makes us pay for expensive meal plans that aren't worth it and the only way out is through illness and providing the private university with extensive personal financial records. Does the university have a right to that information in this context?

Answer:
 >Does the university have a right to that information in this context?

They don't need to have a right to this information if you willingly provide it to them.

You entered into a contract with the university when you accepted your admission. The terms of this contract included the meal plan, housing, and other university rules. There is a program to waive certain requirements, if you meet other requirements. In order to obtain the waiver, you can choose to provide the documentation. Or you can decline to use the waiver program, and provide no documentation. Answer #2: >The university requires in order to appeal financially that I would have to provide them with extensive financial records in order to prove that I cannot afford the meal plan. Is that even legal?

Yes.

>I honestly know nothing about it, but it seems that a private university forcing its student body to pay more regardless of the need should not be legal.

Not even close.  You have the option to not go.

>And above that, if I say that I can't afford it what rights do they have to my financial records?

They can ask for whatever proof they want.  You can choose not to provide it and either pay for the meal plan, or go to a different university that has policies you agree with.


Title: [CA] I had a drunken hookup, and I'm not exactly sure what happened. How should I proceed?

Question:
First of all, all people involved are over the age of 18.

I was at a party recently, and my drinking got out of control. I ended up in bed with a girl who was there. I know we were kissing, and I know we were moving towards having sex. My memory is very spotty, so I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I remember that she was telling me to put on a condom, which I didn't have. I also remember that I couldn't get an erection, and she was making fun of me for it \(for the record, I'm glad that I couldn't get an erection, looking back\). The last thing I remember from that encounter was her telling me that it wasn't going to happen because I couldn't get hard.

Its been a few days, and today I just started worrying that my memory might be failing me and that maybe more happened than I remember. I messaged her and asked her to tell me what happened that night, and she responded with "were you there?". At that point, it was pretty clear that she didn't remember what happened either, and I didn't want to bring up the fact that we may have had sex.

I \*seriously\* doubt that we had sex, but I don't want to find out a few months down the line that she's pregnant with my kid. But, at the same time, I don't want to tell her that we hooked up, even though we didn't have sex, because that might give her the idea that it was non\-consensual \(even though she was initiating this, although while drunk\) and make this a legal issue.

What's the best way to proceed? I don't want to incriminate myself, but I also don't want to find out in a few months that I'm a father.

Answer: You're just going to have to wait.  Do nothing.  If she comes to you claiming to be pregnant, do nothing until the kid is born and you can take a paternity test at an independent provider.


Title: The police forgot to subpoena me for a family violence case that I'm totally over and don't want to take part in anyway. Can I skip out ?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Unless you were ordered by the court to appear, you do not have to show up. Answer #2: You aren't under a legal obligation to appear. If the trial hasn't started, there's a good chance that the prosecution can get a continuance and subpoena you in which case you'll have to appear at a later date.

> I don't want a prosecutor to try to paint me as a helpless victim and ignore my role in our toxic relationship. I want to keep on with this healthy, positive life that I've been cultivating.

After the prosecutor tries to paint you as a helpless victim, the defense has an opportunity to cross-examine you and paint you as the primary aggressor, trying to show that the defendant was merely defending himself.


Title: [TX] Towing, HOA, and Managers Oh My!

Question:
(TX) Starting off, I want to add a MS Paint drawing but Windows 10 has Paint 3D and its not as cool. (insert MSpaint link here) Also forgive me this is a long narrative.

 My pickup truck was towed from being parked in front of my home. To help with context this happened in San Antonio, TX... in a Mobile Home Community which recently (many years ago) was bought and is now managed by (Opposite of No) Communities.  Over the past ten or so years management of our community frequently changes from every three years to where today we have had three managers in just these past two years.

 On March 21st, my 2016 pickup truck was towed from in front of my home. The streets in this community are private, and the reason for towing was "NO PARKING ON STREET, HOA RULES".  Each 'Lot' is allotted a driveway for two vehicles, and a space in front of their home on the street for visitor parking. The interpretation of the rules often change when there is a management change.  The interpretation of how the "No Parking on Street" is applied is always up for debate.  My last conversation with a past office manager was in 2016 when the monthly newsletter brought up the subject of towing (again... every few years the subject comes up due to parking in the narrower streets).

 In 2016 August, I had a conversation with a manager who issued out the monthly community newsletter informing residents about "Vehicle Control" A statement about existing parking rules, and announcement of a contracted towing service, that would tow vehicles parked in the streets within the community property.  By email the manager clarified that the rules applied to the community streets that are narrow, where vehicles parked in the street would essentially turn the street into a single lane for passing.  Meanwhile other parts of the community streets are wide enough that many residents park their vehicles in front of their homes on the street.  The clarification to me (as in my vehicle is safe from towing) was not in writing, but I have notes from then and the newsletter filed away since this was not the first/last time this subject comes up.

 My family have lived in this community for over twenty-two years, and so far the parking rule enforcement had been lax to almost non-existent.  We have had residents move in, leave a junker for years after them moving away.

 But on March 21st, 3:08am, my pickup truck was towed by a contracted towing service. Fortunately for me I had security cameras from a home office from across the street which helped me solve the "theft" before I called the police at 7:55am.  However walking out of your home at 7:45am to see your vehicle missing was just short of life ending for me.  The evening beforehand I "loaded" up my truck, all of my equipment/tools "gear" was in my truck. I thought it was stolen.

 I found out through local PD who the towing/wrecker service was and how to retrieve my truck.  (Thank you LegalAdvice, you taught me to get my vehicle ASAP to lessen the burden of "fees", and that it is my obligation to mitigate my losses)  At 9:40am, I retrieve my truck from impound, and (sigh of relief) everything was still in my truck. $300 gone.

 Problem, I lost a job(project) because of this. I was supposed to be at a job site to let contractors into the building by 8:30am.  Since I wasn't able to be on site until after 10:30 the contractors left the job site, the owner(boss) later took his keys back, and my income loss was $600, directly relating to my vehicle being impounded. Within my vehicle was the keys to the job site, my "gear" for doing my job. So hitching a ride with someone else or using other transportation wouldn't have been so simple. I did hitch a ride to the tow place because my wallet/ID/money was in the truck.

 I have looked/investigated some of the details, at first one would just let this be a lesson learned. "I can no longer park my vehicle in front of my home, so now I use my across the street neighbor's empty driveway space to park in."   Meanwhile, both of my fairly new next door neighbors have four to five vehicles each.  Therefore before and after my driveway, I have neighbors that park their vehicles in front of their homes, and in their front lawns.  Which is also a parking rule violation.

 With the Impound Invoice, I find contradicting information. As in, *Towed From:* address reports that my truck was towed from two streets over from where it was actually towed.  The Reporting address being the same address.  As in the Wrecker Driver was called in to tow a vehicle from two streets over and instead 'nabbed' my truck (he was on the wrong street, but really close to the same street number address.)  I tried to get a understanding of the situation through management on March 23rd. But I was told, I would receive a return call, email... smoke signals.  I had to ask again on the 25th only to be *fluffed off, with waiting for a call. Finally I wrote another letter to the office on the 26th. Stating what I discovered on the Impound Invoice, and asking for clarification.

 Talking to the Impound/Wrecker service told me, that they are authorised by our Community management to tow vehicles violating the HOA rules.  "I completely understand that", however what I didn't understand was, why the wrecker had to jack-knife his wrecker between the suburban he parked in front of earlier, to tow my truck, instead of the neighbor's suburban, or their other cars violating more than two parking rules.

 Another reason given was the towing service checked the license plate of my truck to determine the registered address of the vehicle. As in my vehicle is registered to Address 123, and it was supposedly parked at address 432 (far, far away). On camera, the truck was parked at address 123, and the tow documented 432.

  I've been told, the wrecker service didn't have enough wreckers (to tow neighbors), just about any excuse that gets me off the phone. The blame game is Wrecker Service says they are authorized to tow, however I've been the only vehicle towed since the 21st. And that I broke the rules. (I've tried having my neighbors vehicles towed, but to be informed by the same contracted towing service that there is a 'hold' on towing within our HOA community)  No one will explain more, other than that my truck was towed, authorized by HOA, the wrecker passes the blame to management and management tells me to bug the wrecker.

  I've been able to see other similar types of tow/impound invoices (not relating to contracted towing service), which show's when a wrecker tows a vehicle the address of the tow is typically the address of where the vehicle was towed from.  In this case, my Impound Invoice shows the *Towed From:* address as two streets over from where it was actually located. Since the towing my next door neighbors have parked their vehicles (every night) in front of their homes, and in the grass. I'm now under the impression I can no longer park my vehicle in front of my own home.

 As for **"what does the contract say"** in regards to when we first moved into this community, our contract was signed/agreed/written in Nov 1996.  Within two years the ownership of the community changed, another ten years later Nope Communities took over.  We have no new signed agreements, and as far as our home is concerned, my family has long since paid off our mobile home. We only pay lot rent, which now includes waste/water/trash fees.   Our original contract, all of those services were included. Along with a functionally safe swimming pool, hot tub/gazebo, community club house, and all sorts of amenities. Since Nope Communities took over, we no longer have any of those.  By a legal loophole, yearly Lot rent increases are just $5 short of requiring residents to sign new leases.  The rules for parking in the streets were vague then as they are still now.

 Most of the longer term residents here have always parked in the streets. Yet once in awhile someone gets towed while no one fights it. In most cases, the vehicles towed were "hoopties" broken down/derelict or flat tire short of moveable.  So it is understandable to tow.

 When I wrote my letter to Management on the 26th, I phrased the wording in the letter to indicate that it was possible the tow was done in error, that the address listed on the Impound Invoice is just how the Tow service probably meant to tow someone else, "help me!" get my money back.  Being Diplomatic.

 However, this evening I receive a email from the community manager telling me that the tow was justified, authorized, and that I would not be receiving any help from them in obtaining my $300.  I just find that this is just total Bull-pucks, my neighbors have been expanding their parking limits by blocking our driveway now.  Meanwhile towing is no longer being enforced.

 I've been documenting the parking situation since March 21st. The neighbors using more street space daily since my truck is no longer parked in front of our home.  Just yesterday (April 1st), the suburban nearly hit the rear bumper of my car, which was parked three feet into our driveway from the street.  As in, the neighbor drives their suburban over our front lawn to park in front of their home.  I've taken photographs, and still have the security cameras recording everything to document, since my towing there hasn't been one other vehicle towed from our street.  After discovering that the contracted tow service is on "hold", I really don't understand whom I should be directing a Civil Suit/Small Claims to.

I don't know if this is enough mistakes to get my money back or not.  I want to know who should I be going after? Is Small Claims the right direction... Should I include both the Community Management & the Towing Company in my small claims?  Does this justify me including loss of income?

 Filing fees are $75 (Bexar County), and before I make that leap I need your advice.

$300 is literally a insurance payment, or partial truck payment, or eating. $600 is definitely a truck payment, eating, or having the money to purchase work related materials.  Do I include my lost income? I can prove the loss, the boss sent me a email on the 22nd telling me how upset he was, and that I had lost his confidence in doing the job.   I have the invoice I would have been paid for being able to complete the job.

 TL:DR -  Wrecker Service Tows my Truck, and lists the tow address of a Empty Lot two streets away, Community Management say's the tow was authorized/valid, and that the address is valid reason for towing. Wrecker says clerical error is valid.  Since the day of towing, my neighbors have parked their vehicles violating the same HOA rules, but no towing is being enforced. And I'm Mad about it.

Hey Everyone, it is 9:30pm CST for me, I'm done for the day. I won't begin to respond to any questions until 9am April 3rd. I have yet another hour of paperwork work to do, then prep for tomorrow's work, then maybe a side of bedtime. I'm a freelance IT Professional. This generally means I'm a MSP (Managed Services Provider) for a handful of clients with a side of Project work, like network cabling mostly involving technology to some extent. I'm a sole-proprietor/Self-Employed

Answer: You really need to trim down about 80% of your post and just get right to your question,  no one is going to read all that exposition


Title: My parents are suing somebody for "damages done to me"

Question:
I don't know if this is even the right forum but maybe it is.

About a year ago my parents discovered a relationship between me (16) and a man (22) when they discovered this they forced me to file a police report for statutory rape. (We did have sex. I'm in texas.) A year and some change later the DA decides to allow him to plea down to a lesser charge and only get probation while not having to register as a sex offender.

I just got a phone call and was informed that my parents (I am no longer living with them due to abuse done by them) are suing him for 5k in restitution stating that they can prove that I had therapy for what was done.

This is true in exactly 3 sessions he was brought up. The rest of my therapy focused on other aspects of my life that he was not involved in.

Can anybody explain how they could pick that number,  if they can sue in my name (I'm 17 now. Not living with them, I would likely never see a dime if they did win) and what would likely happen in this situation?

Answer: Did they pay for the therapy?Answer #2: I suppose it's a plausible suit. but if your parents followed through with this, then EVERYTHING would come out and they'd have a public record of everything they did to you that you discussed with the therapist. Answer #3: For anyone who may be wondering, Texas does not allow a parent to make a loss of consortium claim for a non-fatal injury, so that theory is out the window here.Answer #4: 5k is generally the upper limit for small claims court, and small claims court is easier to go to and easier to win.


Title: Will my mom be arrested for essentially being "Robin Hood?"

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Did she actually break the law? Every tax preparer tries to maximize returns, that's normal. Breaking the law is another matter. Assuming she *did* break the law, who are these "people" who think she's doing the right thing? I'd imagine these are the people who benefited from her fraud?

Folks like me, we don't really see this as a good thing.

She needs an attorney.Answer #2: If she willingly falsified tax returns, yeah she could go to jail. The IRS doesn't care. They are literally a government agency who tries to take money from you. They don't like it when you don't give them that money. They really don't like it when accountants knowingly help a lot of people not give them the money the law says they owe.


Title: Girl At my School (U.S)

Question:
Hello I am a 16 year old male in the sophomore grade living in California.  I will tell you the background story first.  Well there is this very immature girl in my grade that wanted to hook up with me at a party and i declined the offer.. Ever since then our "relationship" has spiraled down hill.

I have quite a few classes with her, and she does is make fun of me, tell me no one likes me, tells me to leave the school ect.  I'm sick of it.  But get this, this girl has sent nudes to almost every guy in our grade (I go to a small private school).

So I called her parents and left her a voicemail telling them that there daughter was involved in some miscellaneous content and left them my number to call me back.  Do you think I should let her parents know what she is doing.  I confronted her about it, and she says she could careless.  I was thinking of telling her parents to teach her a lesson and actually teach there kid to be mature and not mistreat others when they don't get there way.  Do you guys think I can get in trouble in anyway?  I never asked her for nudes at any time.

Answer:
 Okay...

Firstly do you have photos of her? Even if you didn't ask for them?

Secondly this could have serious social implications on YOU if you go ahead and do this. No one likes a taddle tail, especially something like this that's obviously going to get around.

If you're sick of her bullying you then go to a teacher, or just ignore her. She isn't making the right choices but this isn't the response i'd go for.

Also i really don't think her parents are going to take kindly to some 16 year old calling them up andtelling them their daughter is taking photos of her self and sending them around her school.


Title: Can landlord contract with an Internet/cable provider mid-lease and force tenants to pay for cable and Internet? (SC)

Question:
My landlord has announced that as of 1/1/19, cable and Internet will be billed through the online portal via the landlord, and we will be required to pay for cable and Internet. We are not able to decline cable, nor Internet.

Re-reading my lease, it seems as the landlord can require us to pay for cable/Internet through them, but it is unclear whether they can *force* tenants to pay for cable and Internet. This is of interest to me, as I have not had cable for years and have no use for cable.

From the lease:

>Tenant covenants that Tenant will pay for all utilities and services, including without limitation electricity, water, sewer, heat and any communications services (television, internet, telephone, etc., to the extent available). Tenant shall, prior to moving in, change the electricity service and communications servicesinto Tenant’s name, and shall be responsible for paying the third-party electricity or communications provider(s) directly for such electricity and/or communications services. Failure to put the electricity and communicationsservices in Tenant’s name could result in no electricity or communications services being available upon move-in or Landlord charging any amounts paid by Landlord on behalf of Tenant as additional rent or against the securitydeposit, at Landlord’s sole discretion. Landlord shall pay third party water and sewer providers, but Landlord has arranged, or may arrange in the future, to have separate meters installed to measure each unit’s usage and may,once such meters are installed, charge Tenant for its water and/or sewer usage as additional rent. Tenant agrees to pay Landlord for its water and sewer usage, and such amount shall not be considered a reduction or offset in the rent due hereunder. Landlord reserves the right to modify the method by which utilities are furnished, measured or billed during the term of this Rental Agreement, including, but not limited to, sub-metering of the premises for certain utility services, direct billing of Tenant by third-party providers, or billing Tenant for electricity, water or sewer even if Landlord had at one time included electricity, water or sewer in the rent. If Landlord chooses to so modify the utility services to the premises, Landlord shall give Tenant not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice of such modification. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of any rights of Tenant arising under law based on the wrongful failure of Landlord to furnish utility services where required by law to furnish such services.

Answer: From what I have read on here, the landlord can not decide which provider you use, provided availability. Therefore, you can also use no provider at all.


Title: My (24F) husband (25M) left my son and I and is making contact 4 months after leaving us.

Question:
•I didn’t know he was leaving until a day before he chose to leave us.

•He’s demanding weekly/daily video chats or pictures sent to his phone.

•It’s been 4 months and he’s making demands and not even ASKING how my son is, or if my son needs anything.

•No one in his family has even attempted to make contact or ask about my son.

•He’s posting crude things on social media (a video of a child talking back and saying oh it that we’re my son he’s get a left hand to his face).

•Women are *derogatory names*

•When he emailed me he told me he wishes he had taken my son with him.

•He’s emailing me passive aggressively and making it seem like I’m the biggest bitch in the world, as though I’m the reason he can’t see his son.

I feel bad because I want my son to have a father, I just don’t want this man to be his father, my son deserves so much better. What do I do? I feel like if he gets any rights to my son he will take my son away I don’t feel safe having my son in his presence.
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 It's time to start contacting divorce attorneys and getting the process of setting up custody started.Answer #2: Take snapshots of the social media posts where he glorifies violence towards kids and set up a consultation with a family law attorney. Hostile rhetoric _likely_ won't count for much, but in combination with the four-month lapse in his involvement there's a good chance you could at least seek primary custody. If his behaviour is particularly violent, you and an attorney may be able to limit him to supervised visitation until he completes anger management counselling, but don't hold your breath on this: assholes are allowed to be dads, too.

Once you have an attorney set up, refer your ex to your attorney every time he tries to contact you directly. This is, probably, the most useful service family law attorneys provide: emotional insulation.

Don't do anything else until you've spoken to a local professional. Your local law society or bar association can probably refer you. Until there's a court order, neither of you has enforceable rights to anything, and your son can stay with you.


Title: friend commited retail fraud using my ID 3 years ago I had no clue.. until i got pulled over for traffic citation

Question: So I am born and raised in michigan, but i lived in florida from 09 to 17.  During that 8 years i came back to michigan for 3 consecutive months in 2015.  I have a friend whose cousins have been thiefs since high school.  Always stealing my phones, and during those 3 months my phone was stolen.  I didnt think it was a big deal Bc i had insurance on my phone.  Also during those 3 months in 2015 i lost my ID, and I knew i was bound to find it bc of past experiences.  I lost my license in 09, ordered a new one and eventually found the “lost” one bc i misplaced it.  So in 2015 i ordered a new license without any worry.  I went back to florida shortly following this incident.  Currently i am back in michigan, and i got pulled over for improper lane usage at the airport.  I almost got arrested for an outstanding warrant in my name for retail fraud.   My friend’s cousin is the person who stole my license in 2015 and used it to commit retail fraud.  The only reason she wasnt taken to jail at the time is bc it was a loss prevention specialist who reported her.  But she did it using the no receipt policy and my license.  I have to turn my self in. Im knee deep in trying to make it for myself idk what to do!  I have to go to a “bond hearing” but i dont have money and I cannot go down for this.  Idc what type of charge it is I HAVE A SPOTLESS RECORD and i know this is so cliche but i didnt do it.  Im extra afraid of going to the bond hearing bc if i have to go to trial, I will have a public defender.  Court system is rigged for people in poverty such as myself.  Its been 3 weeks today since i found out and I havent turned myself in

Answer:
 You seem to know a lot of details about what your "friend" did. If you are telling the truth about this, then those details could easily be used to exonerate you.

This sentence makes little sense, and one wonders how you know this: "The only reason she wasnt taken to jail at the time is bc it was a loss prevention specialist who reported her."


Title: [FL] Divorcing. Wife wants a TV, should I give it to her?

Question:
Hey everyone!  Thanks for being such an invaluable resource.

Wife moved out months ago.  We're in the process of divorce.  She said she wants to pick some stuff up, stuff which I have no problem letting her have to be honest.  The TV is the only sticking point.

It is specifically referenced in the settlement papers.  She wants it now and, honestly, it's the right thing to do to give it to her IMO.  I feel like letting her take it now is opening me up to a "where's the TV?" moment after the divorce is final where she tries to take the other one too.

Where do I stand on this one legally?  I'm not trying to be petty, I just don't have much money and really would like to retain a TV.  Sorry if this is too small a question, or seems petty.  Just felt right to ask.  Thanks guys!

Answer: If the TV is going to be a straining point,give her the damn TV. New TVs can be obtained, and get cheaper every year. An easy divorce is worth way more than a Tv


Title: Family cheated their kids' way into Ivy Leagues by claiming poverty. Any Advice?

Question: I \[21M\] have known this family for over 15 years and know they have always been well off financially (middle class). Yet, during college admissions, I have found out the dad got his son, niece and nephew (whom he claimed as his own children on the applications) into various Ivy Leagues (Princeton, Upenn, and Harvard respectively). All received full rides from the university as they were fairly decent students (top 15 in the H.S) but also because he claimed poverty. He runs his own business (of what I do not know) and keeps his money in China so he does not have a employee W-2 form that shows his actual income. I think this is grossly unfair to those students that have lived much less well off lives and have worked so much harder than these kids, only to receive barely if any financial aid from such universities. All advice welcome on anything that can be done about this.

Answer:
 At some level, most of the advice here is to stay in your lane. It's not up to you who a school offers bursaries and scholarships to, and your speculation as to why his kids qualified isn't worth much. Even if he directly told you "oh yeah I lied about it," it's entirely possible the schools did their own due diligence before approving financial aid.

Having said that, if you believe someone is avoiding taxes and generally underreporting their income, you can [tip off the IRS](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-you-report-suspected-tax-fraud-activity). There is a reward if the amount of taxes recovered is large (six figures or so). If they're audited and their tax returns are amended accordingly, it would also affect their kids' eligibility for most financial aid.


Title: Can I sue someone for basically betraying me? Emotional distress?

Question:
Hi Reddit community! I was wondering if someone could help me a lending hand, currently feeling hopeless & angry. I'll try to keep it short & sweet. This happened over this past 2018 summer. I'm not one to pout, I'm used to misfortune. My mother passed away when I was younger & my father left us when I was a baby so I've only ever had my grandmother. I had become very close friends with this girl who would sleepover my house, we would feed her & treat her like she was family.
Since we trusted the girl, she was around for many important conversations, that I didn't think to hide from her. So I had also just inherited the money my mother had left for me prior to her death because I just recently turned 21. Not too long after this, my grandmother fell ill and I constantly had to be in the hospital taking care of her since she has no one else. The girl I was friends with offered to run errands for us & help us out during our time of need & I didn't even question her intentions. Since I was so busy preoccupied taking care of my grandmother, i never checked my bank statements since I was not making many purchases. By the time I had checked it was too late, the girl had taken 2,000 dollars from my inheritance. She was sending money to her friends, going out and treating everyone to do their nails while I was in the hospital next to my extremely sick grandmother. I reported this to the bank and police, and they have yet to do anything about it. I want to know if there are legal steps I could take & if I took her to court whether I would have a good case on my side? I want to sue her. For the stress she put me and my grandmother through. I cannot understand how someone could be so cruel. It's not even at the fact that she stole from me, but the fact that she took advantage of the fact my grandmother who cared about her like a daughter, when she became extremely sick, to steal the money that my mother had left for us when she died. I appreciate you guys for hearing me out & am open to any suggestions. Pretty desperate rn

Answer: How did she get the money out of the account?Answer #2: You can sue her for the money back, but you don’t have an emotional distress claim.


Title: [state of Florida] My fiancé's nephew purposely exposed a classmate to peanut butter

Question: He rubbed some onto her leg when she wasn't looking. The classmate and his teacher also says that an hour before the leg incident the classmate went to the teacher and told her that my fiancé's nephew cornered her with scissors pointed at her and tried to get her to eat peanut butter. The classmate was taken to the hospital after going unconscious a minute or so after the leg incident. The police were called on my fiancé's nephew and the teacher has been put on leave. Both kids are 11. My fiancé's nephew has never been in trouble at school or with the police before and he has no disabilities or illnesses. He has never done anything like this. He told his parents he wanted to see what would happen. We are all worried about him because he is so young. I'm posting here to ask what will happen next due to his age? Because we have no idea.

Answer:
 That kid needs to be evaluated by a child psychologist. Hopefully he doesn't understand what he did, because if he does that is some psychotic level stuff right there.Answer #2:  I can't find any Florida specific resources, but generally kids under the age of 12 or 13 are not automatically presumed competent to stand trial. That does not mean there will not be negative consequences, but he may avoid criminal prosecution.

In any event this represents a serious parenting failure.Answer #3: Your nephew needs to talk to a therapist before this kind of behavior escalates even further.


Title: [CO] Can a private individual sell rides to and from the airport?

Question:
No, it's not me! But a local woman posted on Nextdoor yesterday to advertise what I suspect is her independent airport ride service using her personal vehicle, and that raised my "sketch alert" flags. She has no website and didn't give a business name. There was no mention of any permits or insurance.

If my suspicions are correct, is that service legal? What are she and her passengers risking? People are already commenting that they plan to use her service, and I wonder if I should warn them off. If it is illegal, my impression is that she probably doesn't know. The airport in question is DEN.

Answer:
 >. . . and I wonder if I should warn them off.

Mind your own business. She may have the required paperwork.


Title: County and city refuse to fix neighborhood road. What can I do to get them to fix them?

Question:
I live in Georgia and when my neighborhood was built, the city we live in claimed us. Fast forward a few years, a dispute happened where the neighborhood found out that we actually aren't in the city limits, so they essentially claimed us for extra taxes. During the dispute, the neighborhood had to vote to either stay or leave the city, we voted to leave.

 Fast forward a few more years, there are 2 large holes right next to each other, making the road only drivable if you straddle the far one. A few sunken areas were one dips down probably more than a foot. Anyways, the roads are pretty bad and need repairs, but the county says it's the cities job to repair it, but the city says we aren't a part of them.

I don't know the details of the agreement to leave the city, but who is responsible for the roads and how could I get them to fix them.

Answer:
 Contact your local state representative. If they can't light a fire under someone's ass, they should at least be able to point you in the right direction.Answer #2: Here's an [interesting thread](http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72954) from someone who had a similar issue in Georgia a few years ago.  No resolution, but someone had a good suggestion about checking the plat maps and then finding the deed where the developer committed the road for public use, which would be signed by the officials from whatever entity assumed responsibility for the roads.Answer #3: If its only barely possible to pass, you might be able to contact the fire marshall/locacal EMS group.  Generally, emergency vehicles need a better road to pass through than regular vehicles.

If you have a situation where emergency vehicles would be hindered getting to people's houses (like the people's houses on that street) the fire marshall might be able to force someone to do something.

Otherwise, state rep is the way to go. Answer #4: A third possibility, if the city and the county both deny responsibility for maintaining the road: is the neighborhood part of an HOA (Home Owner's Association)? Do you pay dues for other things, like mowing common areas or clearing snow?

HOAs get a pretty bad rap around here, and I'm not saying the HOA should take financial responsibility for road repairs if that wasn't part of its charter, but if you have a well-run HOA they might be able to:

* Speak on behalf of the community in this fight against the city/county
* Use homeowner fees to hire legal representation, if necessary
* Use homeowner fees to repair the road in the short term, while the long-term responsibility is still being argued about.


Title: Company used my wife's photo taken from Facebook in their mailed and online advertisements

Question: What is my legal recourse, if a company has taken my wife's photo (from 5 years ago) from Facebook and are using it for this winters advertisements?  There are mailed advertisements, as well as their website uses the photo as well.

Answer:
 Who took the photo?

First and foremost, someone should get in contact with the company and tell them that they do not have permission to use the photo.

Failing that, the copyright holder on the photo (the person who took the photo) can send a DMCA takedown notice to the company that is infringing the photo copyright holder's copyright.

Beyond that, a lawsuit is probably the next available legal recourse.


Title: How would Undertaker/Kane be prosecuted in real life?

Question:
Okay, so if you'll recall, when they were children, the Undertaker set his house on fire, which resulted in the deaths of his parents and the horrible disfigurement\* of Kane.

\* ^said ^disfigurement ^later ^found ^to ^be ^psychological

The incident occurred when both Undertaker and Kane were young children. Though it was originally thought to be a tragic accident, as an adult, Undertaker later admitted to setting the fire intentionally.

What are the real world ramifications to that? What happens if, say, a 9-year-old child does something like that and kills someone? And then, decades later as an adult, they admit to doing it intentionally? Can the adult be legally charged for a crime committed when he or she was a young child?

Answer: Actually, since the Undertaker is an undead being, I think you'll find he's immune to civil and criminal liability. Can't sue or prosecute a dead man!


Title: [Florida - DMCA] If I sell a shirt with a popular image on it does that give me the right to DMCA another company?

Question:
**More Info**

I received a DMCA from a clothing company for a graphic t-shirt (http://i.imgur.com/lMMS4n5.png) yet I know they did not take this photo nor get exclusive (or any) permission to use this photo.  Now the issue is not whether or not Oprah would care.

My question is about DMCA law.  If you put an image on a t-shirt that isn't your photograph, designs, etc. but you did it first...does this give you legal copyright ownership for you to DMCA other brands from selling the exact same shirt?

Thanks!

Answer:
 It's possible they do have rights.  I'll try and explain quickly.  Basically, you can create a derivative work based on an existing copyrighted photograph and get the copyright in the derivative work.  It may be that the derivative work is an infringement of the original work, but this doesn't mean that the derivative work lacks protection in its own right.  Thus, the owner of the derivative work could send a DMCA takedown to any third parties that are copying *his* work, but not all who were copying the original work.  Make sense?  FWIW, there may be additional issues to independently copyrighting the work that you linked (e.g. lack of sufficient originality), but the mere fact that it's an infringement of another work probably wouldn't be a dealbreaker.

Disclaimer:  Although I am a lawyer, I answered this off the top of my head, without doing any research.  Thus, I could be wrong about everything.  Maybe I'm an idiot.  Who knows.  Don't rely on me.

Edit:  To clarify: The derivative work is the competing shirt with Oprah on it, and the original work would be the photo of Oprah that was printed on to the shirt.  Think of it this way.  Blurred Lines was determined to be an infringement of the one Marvin Gaye song.  However, if you tried to just post Blurred Lines on your website, Robin Thicke (or record company, etc) could send you a takedown, notwithstanding the fact that their work is an infringement.


Title: My dad has 'allegedly' agreed to put a bid in over the phone - scam company

Question:
Hey,

My dad has been receiving a lot of calls recently from a company talking to him about investing in art. My dad had agreed to have some paperwork sent to him just to look through what they were talking about and now they are ringing to say that my dad has apparently agreed to put in a bid in for some art. He only gave them his drivers licence number because they needed to confirm who he was. Last week they sent a purchase agreement through courier service which I signed for, not him, thinking it was something he had ordered and now they're saying that as he (actually me) signed for it and that they had his drivers licence number that he had agreed to this contract and the only way to get out of it is to pay a fee. They have said that they have transcripts of every conversation, even though they never stated the calls were recorded, and they say that they can show what he has said. I know it's a scam but he isn't the brightest and instead of hanging up he was polite and heard them out which I'm sure he won't do anymore, but should we just ignore them? Or should we send an email to them saying that we would like a copy of the transcript and hire a lawyer? He hasn't given them any bank details or anything else besides his drivers license number. We also live in England if that helps and I know this all seems a bit of a jumble but it has just happened and they're a bit worried about it all. If you need anymore details I'll be happy to answer!

Thanks

Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: Signing a courier receipt is not the same as signing the contract they sent. Tell them to suck a fat one and tell your dad to watch his credit. If they actually try and sue you for this or send it to collections then it would be time to get a lawyer.


Title: [WA] Can I legally pay a bill in pennies?

Question:
Long story short, I broke my lease through a property management company due to purchasing a home.

My previous landlord took it personally, and went bananas. (Calling me ungrateful, a bad mom for letting my kid play in the yard unsupervised, and demanding that we continue to maintain the property long after we'd turned in the keys and vacated, and a laundry list of other things.)

Because she tacked on some charges that were legally iffy at best, and due to her behavior, I hired an attorney.

While we're legally in the right, it'd cost far more to fight it than it's actually worth. (The landlord bill is approximately $500, and we've already spent over $2,000 with our attorney.) We can take her to court, and it's probably that the outcome would be favorable to us, but it'd cost even more. So in the interest of not spending yet another $2,000, we've agreed to just pay it.

Due to some of the outrageous things she's said to us, and her overall attitude in handling what should have been a run of the mill transaction, I plan on paying the bill in pennies.

My husband thinks that might be illegal. Our lease merely states that we have to pay in "lawful US currency".

I am fully aware that my actions are petty and spiteful. I am just disgusted with her entire behavior and actions. I have missed work, and she's made our lives incredibly difficult. In turn, I plan on inconveniencing her.

Can I legally pay her in pennies?

Answer:
 Your landlord will not be required to accept payment when you make it deliberately inconvenient like that, no, nor is it a good look for you if the landlord takes you to court for non-payment and your answer is "well, I tried, but they wouldn't take this bucket of pennies."

If you want to pay in cash, by all means do, but don't expect your landlord to take fifty thousand specie off your hands.Answer #2: You're mad.  When someone pisses me off I get petty and vindictive thoughts too.  It's cathartic to talk about.  I get it.

Let's just accept that it's perfectly reasonable even if it is unnecessary and inconvenient for you as well.

You've indicated your landlord to be one to go bananas.  They're going to see it as petty and vindictive, and want to retaliate.

Even if they accept it, who says they won't sue you anyway and start plantation.  "They still haven't paid this debt your honor.  I would never have accepted a bucket of pennies and I certainly wouldn't forget it.  That receipt they have is a forgery."

They might do that anyway, even if you pay in cash.

To protect yourself from your bananas landlord, you want a canceled check or money order that shows they cashed the it, exactly what it's for on the memo line and the signature of John. Q. Bananaeater on the back to show the judge.


Title: Was told I would be arrested if I protested (New York).

Question: So basically I applied for a permit to hold a peaceful protest in a city park today from 9am-1pm. There's an estimated 30 people going to show, along with media coverage. This morning at 7am I received a cease and desist order signed by a judge who is over seeing a family court case. The police department who served it to me said that if I show up I will be arrested and charged. All I'm trying to do is show corrupting in a court house and I'll explain that a little more. A judge has told me to "drop my parental rights cause he's tired of seeing me in his court room." This judge has called me retarded, stupid, and all the motions I have filed have no legal matters in his court room. He is neglecting the fact that I have no criminal record while the other party has a fairly large legal record, including "D.V. charges", child abuse charges and multiple criminal contempt charges out. Should I go to this protest that was approved by the city board and the judge of city (not the judge I'm trying to out)? I know my rights, but I can't jeopardize my well being, or my job.

Answer:
 You mean a judge ordered you not to air a private court matter to the public where there are minor children involved? Yeah. Anonymity of minors is a major issue with family court. I'm not even allowed to list their names in pleadings. Why don't you just go through the proper channels and report the judge rather than screwing up your case, not protecting the anonymity of your children, getting arrested, and losing your job.

That order you got from a municipal judge allowing you to protest has no bearing on your family court matters. That judge is evaluating your right to protest on a completely different set of laws than the family court judge is evaluating your children's anonymity. And if you got into a pissing match between judges, the family court judge will likely trump that municipal judge.

If you're having this much "trouble" with a judge, you need a lawyer.


Title: [Florida] Dad had a mental breakdown, attacked me, and I called the cops. He got bakeracted. I left home and I have no idea what to do now and I'm scared...

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Contact domestic violence shelters in your area.  They might offer the child of an abuser a place to live, or at least help you find resources.

Pack up all your things and leave to somewhere safe for now.  If you're an adult, you don't need to come back. If you're under 18, you can contact CPS about the incident.

Do you have any specific questions you need answered?Answer #2: Do you know what area he's assigned to?  If he was Baker Acted, you need to tell his superiors so they can take appropriate action on their end.  Even if you don't know his superiors, calling up the office where he works and letting them know is a good first step.

Florida doesn't have "state cops", so either FHP or FDLE.  In either case, both agencies have offices in all the major cities.

https://www.flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/contact-fhp/fhp-station-locations/

http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Contact-Us/Regional-Contacts.aspx


Title: School

Question: This is in Kansas. My question is, is a private school legally allowed to cut your hair without your consent.

Answer: No. But they could also suspend you until you do cut it


Title: Manager told me to skip my jury duty tomorrow. CA

Question: A manager at my work told me to skip my jury duty and that I'd be fine if I did. What should I do?

Answer:
 Go to jury dutyAnswer #2: If you've been ordered to go to jury duty, you absolutely go.  Your manager can't legally retaliate against you for it.Answer #3: *IANAL* You need to go to jury duty if your group wasn’t dismissed.  If you get in trouble with your employer, you can file a complaint (http://www.courts.ca.gov/24355.htm).  Your employer also is not required to pay you for your time at jury duty, but a lot of companies do, check the employee manual.

“The California Labor Code prohibits an employer from firing or harassing an employee who is summoned to court to serve as a juror. Employees who are harassed or fired can file a claim with the state's Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and employers can also be prosecuted criminally and face misdemeanor charges if found guilty.”


Title: I deposited a fraudulent check and now my bank account is locked.[Ontario, Canada]

Question:
I had agreed to be a nanny for a family starting in February. The family was moving to Ontario from the states and asked me to deposit a cheque they would send me and give the money to their agent. I had at first tried to make contact with them through email to inform them that I would no longer be interested in the position. For reasons, I am still trying to figure out the email never got to them. I didn't realize this though until they sent me an email stating they had sent me the check and I was to deposit it. Myself being way too nice, I decided that I would deposit the money and do that for them and then have no further contact. I deposited the check and then waited for it to clear. I went to the bank today to withdraw some of my own money and found I wasn't able to. When I went to the counter we discovered my account was under investigation because the cheque I deposited was fraudulent. My account has become solely a deposit account while the investigation is ongoing until the 26th of January. The family who I now doubt is a family was very persistent about me depositing and withdrawing the money asap. I am expecting them to contact me tomorrow.
Should I respond to their messages? Should I terminate all contact with them?
Yes, I am 100% aware they were scamming me. When it first started I wasn't aware and let my over trusting kind nature get in the way.

Answer:
 There is no family, only a scam.  This is just a variation on this very same bad-check scam we see here nearly every other day.

You should not speak with them again.  Their hopes were that you would deposit the check, immediately withdraw some money, send that money to them (or an associate, or an agent, or a helper, or some other person), they'd disappear with the money, the bank would figure out the check is bad and reverse the funds, and you'd be left holding the bag.

You can file a police report about the incident and work with your bank to reverse the damage.Answer #2: > The family was moving to Ontario from the states and asked me to deposit a cheque they would send me and give the money to their agent.

Oh, hon, I'm sorry, but they were never moving here. That's a cheque-cashing scam, and you got hosed.

Call the police, report that you have been the victim of fraud, and then take the police report to your bank and fess up to what happened. Best case, they charge you the bounced cheque fee (and remove the fraudulent check from your account) but reinstate your account.

If the police aren't interested in pursuing this and the cheque is ultimately reversed (which is very likely), the sender has no further business with you. You're not under any obligation to talk to them, and there's nothing you can gain by doing so.