Hendrickson Law Group, PC

There's always someone trying to take advantage - even in the face of a national emergency. This marketing firm decided that "simulated COVID-19 stimulus" would catch the attention of some consumers. It also caught the attention of the Federal Trade Commission! https://www.ftc.gov//marketer-used-deceptive-covid-19-stim

California Auto Dealerships now offering online sales and delivery. On April 28, 2020, in accordance with the Order, the State Public Health Officer designated workers critical to the manufacturing, distribution and sales of vehicles as essential critical infrastructure workers, subject to adhering to the public health guidelines issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). What does a dealership have to do to sell you a vehicle and still comply with Calif...ornia law? All products must be contracted for sale prior to the delivery of the vehicle. All terms of the transaction must be agreed upon prior to the delivery of the vehicle at an off-site location. Negotiations may not be conducted at the purchaser’s delivery location. All contracts must be signed by the dealership before delivery of the vehicle at the off-site location. The purchaser may sign the contract at the time of delivery. Any person engaged in the negotiation and sale of the vehicle must be a licensed salesperson. A copy of all notices to the consumer required by the VC and the Civil Code must be provided to the purchaser before the purchaser executes all sales related documents, such as the notice of the right to inspection, etc. All Regulation Z disclosures must be provided to the purchaser and the purchaser must be given an opportunity to review prior to purchaser’s execution of sales related documents. All state and local social distancing requirements must be adhered to at the time the vehicle is delivered. Adherence to social distancing requirements and sanitization of the vehicle is required if a test drive of the vehicle occurs. See more

I'm getting calls from folks wondering about auto loans, repossessions, payment deferrals, and how to protect their credit. In California, there is NOT a stay on auto repossessions. If you do not pay, and you have not made arrangements with your lender, then you are in default. Whether actually repossessing a vehicle constitutes a violation of the Shelter In Place order is another issue. However, a consumer law firm in Virginia has assembled this list of helpful information - and contacts with major auto lenders, so you can reach out and get help if you need it. http://www.consumer.law/autoloans.aspx

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated the ability for school teachers to write off school supplies...among other things. The trickle down effect? The health care workers, nurses, fast food workers, grocery workers, and all all essential employees, can’t write off the PPE they’re buying to protect themselves. We see them on the news buying their own PPE.... and they can’t write it off. Call your representative and tell them these essential employees need our help - and this section of the tax code needs to be allow all those folks can write off what they spend to do their job. Let’s get that write-off back for 2020!

California temporarily halts evictions. Executive Order N-28-20 from Governor (March 16, 2020, effective to March 31, 2020): Suspends state preemption of local government regulation of evictions, including post-foreclosure evictions. Localities may restrict evictions in cases where nonpayment was caused by income reduction or increased household expenses.

Interest on Federally held student loans: Borrower Questions On March 13, 2020, the president announced that interest would be waived on all federally held student loans. Which loans are covered by the announcement?... All loans owned by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will have interest waived. That includes Direct Loans, as well as Federal Perkins Loans and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans held by ED. Please note that some FFEL Program loans are owned by commercial lenders, and some Perkins Loans are held by the institution you attended. These loans are not eligible for this benefit at this time. How can I take advantage of this program if I have Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and Federal Perkins loans not owned by ED? You could consolidate your FFEL Program or Federal Perkins loans not owned by ED into a Direct Consolidation Loan, which would be eligible. However, if you consolidate, and after the 0% interest rate waiver ends, the interest rate may be higher than what you are currently paying, and any outstanding interest will capitalize, meaning that any outstanding interest is added to your principal balance. Your servicer can provide you with information about how your loan balance, interest rate, and total amount paid would change if you consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan. Who can tell me if my loans will have their interest rate reduced? Contact your loan servicer online or by phone to determine if your loans are eligible. Your servicer is the entity to which you make your monthly payment. If you do not know who your servicer is or how to contact them, visit StudentAid.gov/login or call us at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243; TTY for the deaf or hearing-impaired 1-800-730-8913) for assistance. https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus

Air conditioning went out here. Don’t know if it’s a warranty issue - supplied by landlord! If so.... we are on the job!!

Free credit reporting to become available to deployed active duty military and National Guard members! https://www.ftc.gov//ftc-announces-final-rule-implementing

Momentum Auto Group closed last year, yet I am still talking to a steady stream of people with lingering problems. It seems they did not pay for any of the extended warranty products they sold, which can cost thousands of dollars. The warranty companies are telling consumers there is no coverage and there is no refund available. If you are a consumer affected by the closure of Momentum Auto Group, I am happy to discuss your options at no cost to you.

This is a good opportunity!

There are public interest groups in California, such as National Association of Consumer Advocates and Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, actively working to oppose these measures here and in Washington. The goal is that no car with an open safety recall should be sold to a consumer. This is already the law in California for new cars.

You probably knew that doctors and hospitals have a legal obligation to report gunshot wounds, right? Did you know that garages and auto repair facilities have a similar obligation to report a vehicle that "displays evidence of having been struck by a bullet?" (VC 10653).

Wow! Glad nobody was hurt! https://www.rvtravel.com/forest-river-explosion