News and stories about our work advancing civil legal rights for low-income Texans.
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After Fernando received a notice in the mail, he appeared at the courthouse in the next town over. He showed the judge a notice from LVNV, a debt collection company. LVNV’s letter said he owed over $3,000 on a loan he’d taken out from Cross River Bank more than three years ago. But Fernando hadn’t borrowed money from Cross Bank. […]
Mr. Wilkins wanted to help his friend. She needed a car, so he co-signed on the loan. The 67-year-old disabled veteran didn’t realize he’d agreed to pay the car note if his friend defaulted. A few months passed and they lost touch. Twelve years later, something happened with the car and Mr. Wilkins had to appear in court. By the […]
At 66 years old, Ms. Olivares lives a quiet life in a modest apartment, relying solely on her Social Security disability income. She doesn’t own a car and had long put behind her the financial strains of the past—until she was served court papers this January over a student loan debt she thought was resolved nearly a decade ago. Back […]
How long does it take to pay off a $400 loan? It depends on the interest rate. James* got a loan for $400. The interest rate was so high, he could never pay it off. Why? Because the fees piled up too fast. He paid $50 every month for three years. That’s more than a thousand dollars; way more than […]
Mr. Soublet, a 60-year-old man who has survived several natural disasters, was struggling to make ends meet. His only income came from Social Security benefits, which were being reduced to pay off old debts to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Social Security Administration. Because of this, he did not have enough money to pay his rent and faced eviction […]
National Consumer Protection Week is the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) week-long campaign aimed at educating consumers about their rights to help them make well-informed decisions about money. Looking to protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, and scams? Maybe you’re wondering about the best way to use credit, how to shop for a used car, or maximize your security online. National […]
Beware of notario fraud! It’s important to understand the risks involved to protect yourself and your loved ones. Notarios are not lawyers, even though their title might sound similar. They cannot provide legal advice or represent you in immigration matters. Some people pretend to be notarios to take advantage of vulnerable individuals seeking help with their immigration cases. They may […]
Houston, TX – The No Surprises Act (NSA) establishes new federal protections against surprise medical bills. If you’ve ever received a surprise bill after a trip to an emergency room, after thinking it would be covered by insurance, it was due to something called balanced billing. Balance billing occurs when an insured patient receives care from a physician, hospital or […]