What happened? Step-by-step plans

Pick the situation closest to yours. Each plan has the steps to take now, this week and later, your state's deadlines, letters you can fill in, and free help. Or describe it in your own words in the search box on the home page.

Search “What happened?”

Renting a home

I got an eviction notice

A notice from the landlord is usually the first step, not the eviction itself; only a court can order you out, and only a sheriff or similar officer can carry out that order.

I need to break my lease early

If you leave before a fixed-term lease ends, you may owe rent until the unit is re-rented or the lease ends, plus any fee the lease sets.

I think a landlord discriminated against me

The federal Fair Housing Act bans housing discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status (children under 18) or disability, including refusing reasonable accommodations for a disability.

My landlord enters without notice

Most states require the landlord to give advance notice (often 24 or 48 hours) and enter only at reasonable times, except in emergencies; some states have no rule and the lease controls.

My landlord is raising my rent

Most states have no limit on how much rent can go up.

My landlord is retaliating against me

Most states protect tenants who ask for repairs, complain to inspectors, or join tenant groups: the landlord can't evict, raise rent, cut services or harass you because of it.

My landlord locked me out or cut my utilities

In nearly every state, a landlord can't force you out by changing the locks, removing your things or shutting off utilities; only a court order carried out by an officer can remove you.

My landlord won't make repairs

In most states the landlord must keep the home safe and livable and fix serious problems after you give notice; your state page says what applies.

My landlord won't return my security deposit

Most states set a deadline for the landlord to return your deposit or send a list of deductions after you move out; a few (for example Kentucky and Tennessee) set no number of days but have other rules, which your state page explains.

My roommate won't pay their share of rent

If you and your roommate both signed the lease, many leases make each tenant responsible for the full rent (look for words like 'jointly and severally'), so the full rent may need to be paid to avoid late fees or eviction.

There are bed bugs in my rental

Bed bugs are hard to get rid of alone and can spread between units, so tell the landlord in writing right away.

There is mold in my rental

Mold grows where there is moisture, so the real fix is stopping the leak or dampness.

Money owed to you

A client won't pay my invoice

Most unpaid invoices are settled with a reminder, then a formal demand, then a small claims case or a collection agency.

A contractor took my money and did bad work

When a contractor takes your money and doesn't do the work, or does it badly, the usual options are a written demand to fix or refund, a complaint to your state's contractor licensing board, a dispute with your credit card company if you paid by card, and small claims court.

A mechanic overcharged me or did a bad repair

Many states require repair shops to give a written estimate and get your OK before doing extra work, but the rules differ by state.

A moving company is holding my belongings hostage

For moves between states, federal FMCSA rules say a mover must deliver your goods if you pay 100% of a binding estimate, or 110% of a non-binding estimate (plus certain extra charges), and bill any balance later.

I can't cancel my gym or subscription

A federal law, the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act, requires sellers of online subscriptions to give you simple ways to stop recurring charges.

I won in court but they still won't pay

Winning a judgment doesn't mean the court will collect it for you.

I'm being sued in small claims court

Don't ignore the papers.

My employer didn't pay my wages

You can usually file a free wage claim with your state labor agency or with the US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, without a lawyer; small claims court is another option.

My final paycheck is late

Federal law doesn't require an employer to give you your last paycheck right away, but many states do, and the deadline often depends on whether you quit or were fired.

My online order never came or they won't refund me

Under the FTC's Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Rule, a seller must ship within the time it promised, or within 30 days if it gave no time, and if it can't, it must offer you the choice to cancel and get a prompt refund.

Someone owes me money and won't pay it back

Most unpaid personal loans end with a clear written demand or a small claims case.

Someone paid me with a check that bounced

A bounced check doesn't cancel the debt: the person still owes you.

Debt and credit

A collector wants money for a very old debt

Each state sets a time limit for suing over a debt, usually 3 to 6 years but up to 10 years in some states.

A debt collector is suing me

If you're sued over a debt, the most important thing is to respond by the deadline on the court papers.

A debt collector keeps calling me

Federal law limits how and when third-party debt collectors can contact you, and gives you the right to dispute the debt and ask for proof.

I can't pay my student loans

For federal student loans, act before default: you can usually change to a payment based on your income, or ask for a deferment or forbearance.

I'm thinking about filing for bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a federal court process that can wipe out many debts (Chapter 7) or set up a 3-to-5-year repayment plan (Chapter 13).

My bank account was frozen by a creditor

A private creditor usually needs a court judgment before it can freeze or take money in your bank account.

My medical bill is too high

Start by asking for an itemized bill and checking it against your insurance explanation of benefits.

My wages are being garnished

For most private debts like credit cards or medical bills, a creditor needs a court judgment before it can garnish your wages.

Someone stole my identity

If someone used your information, report it at IdentityTheft.gov to get an FTC identity theft report and a recovery plan.

There's a mistake on my credit report

You have the right to dispute wrong or incomplete information with the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and with the company that reported it.

Buying things and services

I got a data breach notice

A breach notice doesn't mean someone has used your information, but you should act based on what was exposed.

I got scammed by phone or online

Speed matters most.

I have a dispute with a hotel or Airbnb

Document the problem right away and raise it with the host, hotel or booking platform while you are still there, because most platforms require prompt reports.

I keep getting robocalls and spam texts

Register your number on the free National Do Not Call Registry; it stops sales calls from legitimate companies (it can take up to 31 days).

I want to check if my contractor is licensed

Before you pay, look the contractor up on your state's official license or registration search (some states only license certain trades, so also ask your city or county).

My home warranty or appliance claim was denied

A manufacturer's warranty on an appliance is covered by the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. A 'home warranty' is usually a service contract you or the seller bought, and what it pays for depends on the contract's terms and your state's rules.

My package was stolen or never arrived

Start with the seller: many will reship or refund a missing package, and they deal with the carrier.

The airline cancelled my flight and won't refund me

Under U.S. Department of Transportation rules in force since 2024, if an airline cancels or significantly changes your flight to, from or within the U.S. and you don't accept the new flight or a voucher, you are owed an automatic cash refund, even on a nonrefundable ticket.

The store or maker won't honor my warranty

Read the written warranty: it says who must fix the product, what is covered, for how long, and how to make a claim.

There's a charge on my card I didn't make

Call your card issuer or bank as soon as you see the charge, then follow up in writing.

Cars

I caused a car accident

Stop, check for injuries, exchange information and report the crash as your state requires; leaving the scene can be a crime.

I damaged a rental car

The rental company will usually send a bill for repairs and sometimes extra fees like loss of use or administrative charges.

I got a parking ticket I don't deserve

Parking tickets are handled by the city, county or agency that issued them, and each has its own way to contest a ticket, usually online, by mail, or at a hearing, with a short deadline printed on the ticket.

My car insurance claim was denied

Ask the insurer for the denial and the policy wording it relies on in writing, then compare it with your policy and your evidence.

My car was repossessed

In many states a lender can take a car without warning or a court order after you miss payments, but under many state laws it cannot breach the peace (for example, use threats or force, or take it from a closed garage).

My car was towed

Find out quickly who towed your car and where it is, because storage fees usually add up every day.

My new car keeps breaking down

Every state has a lemon law for new vehicles: if a serious defect is not fixed after a set number of repair tries or days in the shop during the coverage period, the manufacturer may have to replace the car or refund you.

Problem after buying or selling a car privately

Private sales are usually 'as is': the FTC Buyers Guide and dealer warranty rules do not apply to private sellers, so you mostly have to show the seller lied or broke the deal.

Someone hit my car and it wasn't my fault

In most states the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for your car and other losses; you can claim with their insurer or let your own insurer pay and recover from them.

Someone hit my parked car and drove off

Drivers who hit an unattended car must stop and find the owner or leave a note with their name and contact details, and many states also require a police report.

The dealer lied about the used car I bought

Dealers who sell used cars must display the FTC Buyers Guide, which says whether the car comes with a warranty or 'as is', and it becomes part of your contract.

The mechanic won't give my car back

In most states a repair shop can keep a car until authorized repair charges are paid (a mechanic's lien), and can eventually sell it under state rules if the bill is not paid.