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Can federal student loans be discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy? Federal student loans are not automatically discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. To eliminate them, you must file a separate lawsuit called an adversary proceeding and prove “undue hardship” under a strict legal test. Updated 2022 DOJ guidance has made this slightly more achievable — but…
Does the FDCPA protect you from student loan collectors? It depends on who is contacting you. The FDCPA does not cover the Department of Education collecting its own loans. It does cover private agencies hired by DOE to collect on its behalf. Whether your servicer qualifies as a “debt collector” under the law turns on…
No — selling a federal student loan to a third-party collector does not remove its federal guarantee. The government’s backing travels with the loan no matter who holds it or collects it. That means the collector pursuing you still carries the legal weight of the U.S. Department of Education behind it, and the government’s most…
Several factors can disqualify you from USAA membership. Civilians with no military connection are ineligible. Veterans with a dishonorable discharge are disqualified. Former spouses lose eligibility after divorce. Stepchildren and in-laws generally do not qualify. USAA membership is restricted to those with a qualifying military relationship — and that line is drawn firmly. What disqualifies…
What is the Consumer Legal Remedies Act? The Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) is a California law — codified under Cal. Civil Code §§ 1750–1784 — that protects consumers from deceptive and unfair business practices in the sale or lease of goods and services. It allows consumers to sue for actual damages, punitive damages, and…
The Primary Cardholder Pays—Not the Authorized User The primary cardholder, who opened the account and agreed to the card’s terms and conditions, is solely responsible for paying off any balance on the card, regardless of who made the charges. Being an authorized user generally does not obligate you to pay the debt. This federal protection…
You’re Protected—But You Must Act Immediately If you’re a victim of identity theft, federal law protects you from paying fraudulent debts in most cases. You must place fraud alerts or security freezes on your credit reports, file a report at IdentityTheft.gov, and take steps to protect your credit history and finances. But here’s what most…
You’re Protected—But Only If You Act Fast You’re typically not responsible for debt created by identity thieves. Federal law protects you under the Fair Credit Billing Act and state consumer protection laws, but only if you report the fraud quickly and follow the dispute process correctly. In December 2024, the CFPB issued an advance notice…
The Truth About Identity Theft Debt Responsibility Identity theft victims are NOT responsible for paying back “half” of fraudulent debt. This is one of the most dangerous misconceptions circulating online. Here’s the truth: Federal law caps your liability at $50 for credit card fraud under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) and $50-$500 for debit…