Frequently asked questionsStraight answers, before you call.

No. The case review is free and there is no obligation.

You don't pay me unless you win. I take these cases on contingency: no attorney's fees and no case costs owed to me unless you recover money. If a case is lost, a court can sometimes order the losing side to pay the other side's court costs, and some Florida laws, including the security deposit and deceptive practices statutes, also let the winner recover attorney's fees from the loser. I explain that risk before anything is filed, and every term is in a written agreement before you sign. See how it works.

No. Most of these cases can be handled by phone, video, e-mail, and document upload. In-person meetings in Tampa are available by appointment.

Yes. If I don't think the law gives you a claim worth pursuing, I'll say so and explain why, so you can decide what to do next.

I'm licensed in Florida and represent consumers anywhere in the state. If your problem isn't connected to Florida, a consumer lawyer licensed in your state is the right starting point.

It varies. Some disputes resolve after a demand letter in a matter of weeks. Cases that go to court can take many months or longer. I'll give you a realistic picture once I've seen your documents.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official free source for your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion reports. The bureaus currently offer free online reports there every week.

With the credit bureau, in writing, and with every bureau that shows the error. The lender's legal duty to investigate that you can enforce in court is triggered when a bureau forwards your dispute. You can contact the lender too, but don't skip the bureaus. See the dispute guide.

Yes. Companies that sell tenant screening and employment background reports are consumer reporting agencies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and must follow reasonable procedures for accuracy. See background check errors.

A transfer from your account started by someone else without your permission, where you got no benefit. That includes a thief who got your card, PIN, or login from you through a trick or theft. See denied fraud claims.

Under current federal rules, a payment you made yourself, even because of a lie, generally isn't "unauthorized." Report it to your bank or app right away anyway. Some institutions have their own reimbursement policies for certain scams, and other legal claims may exist depending on the facts.

If a bank needs more than 10 business days to investigate an error you reported, it generally must temporarily credit your account for the disputed amount while it finishes. It can reverse the credit if it concludes there was no error, but it must explain why in writing.

Day 30 after the rental agreement ends. A landlord who wants to keep any part of the deposit must send a written notice of claim by then. Use the deadline calculator to find your dates.

A deposit can be applied to rent you actually owe, but the landlord still has to follow the notice process in section 83.49 to impose a claim on it.

The side that wins is entitled to court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee, whether that's the tenant or the landlord. That's why the facts get a careful look before anyone files.