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Consumer Ed

Can landlord forbid smoking in apartment?

Dear Consumer Ed: Can a landlord forbid smoking in an apartment? Consumer Ed says: Yes, landlords have the right to restrict or prohibit smoking the same way they can prohibit things like waterbeds or excessive noise. Generally, a no-smoking policy would be part of the lease agreement. When tenants sign a lease agreement, they agree…

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Getting notified following a data breach

Dear Consumer Ed: If a store scans my driver’s license and its computer system is subsequently hacked, resulting in my information being compromised, does the store have to notify me of the breach? Consumer Ed says: Georgia Law O.C.G.A. § 10-1-912 requires businesses who collect, transmit or maintain unencrypted digital records of an individual’s personal…

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DEBIT CARD FEES

Dear Consumer Ed: Is it legal for merchants in Georgia to charge a fee for the use of a debit card (NOT a credit card)? Consumer Ed says: A merchant may charge a flat fee called a “convenience fee” to buyers who choose to use an electronic payment method (like a credit or debit card),…

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LANDLORD HAS NOT RETURNED SECURITY DEPOSIT

Dear Consumer Ed: I moved out of my apartment six weeks ago and I still haven’t received my security deposit back. I have emailed the apartment manager twice, but she has not replied. I have the documents showing that all the bills and dues were paid. What can I do? Consumer Ed says: Within 30…

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PROBLEMATIC BILL FROM SENIOR CARE FACILITY

Dear Consumer Ed: I live in a senior care facility. They are attempting to make me pay for services that I did not receive. What recourse do I have? Consumer Ed says: If you have been unable to resolve the billing dispute with your senior care facility verbally, the next step is to write a…

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Consumer Ed: RE-ACTIVATING OLD DEBT

  Dear Consumer Ed: If I ask questions about an old debt that might have expired, will that make it active again? I’m not sure what the original debt was for before it was sold to a debt collector, and I need to find out the date the debt was incurred. Consumer Ed says: Old…

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Consumer Ed: Rent Increase

 Dear Consumer Ed: Since my original apartment lease expired, I am on a month-to-month lease. Can my landlord increase the rent by $150/month with only eight days’ notice? Consumer Ed says: No. When your lease expired it converted into what is called a tenancy-at-will.  This simply means that the lease has no specified termination date.…

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Consumer Ed: Car Repossession

Brought to you by the Georgia Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Division   CAR REPOSSESSION Dear Consumer Ed: Once your car is repossessed, how much time are you given to pay the overdue amount before your vehicle is sold? Also, how long does a repo company have to wait before getting rid of any belongings…

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Consumer Ed: Defaulted Student Loan

Brought to you by the Georgia Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Division   DEFAULTED STUDENT LOAN Dear Consumer Ed: I have an old student loan debt that I defaulted on in 2004. It is still on my credit report. I thought the statute of limitation on debt was six years. Don’t they have to remove…

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