Pine Tree Legal information

Foreclosure Prevention Toolkit (September 2007)
Home foreclosures are still on the rise in Maine. This area of the law is complicated, but we have posted a toolkit to help you better understand what you are up against if you can't make your mortgage payments.

Bankruptcy in Maine (January 2006)
Overwhelmed by debts? Wondering about how bankruptcy works? Here's a good place to start.

Maine Benefits Checklist (April 2006)
It's not easy to balance a household budget when you have a low income. But you can supplement your income by claiming all of the benefits and supports you have the right to claim. Here is a checklist. Make sure you are not leaving money on the table!

Alternatives to Payday Loans (December 2005)
Payday loans can look like a good deal. But they aren’t. Here is what payday loans looks like, why you should avoid them, and some possible alternatives.

Don't Borrow Trouble! (December 2005)
Watch out for unfair home loan deals. Predatory lending is on the rise in Maine. Learn some basic rules to protect yourself and your home.
N’empruntez pas les soucis! (Décembre 2005)
Si vous ne voulez pas rester bloqué par un mauvais emprunt, faites attention à ce qui suit
¡No Tome Problemas Prestados! (diciembre de 2005)
¿Está buscando un préstamo con garantía inmobiliaria? ¿O está tratando de tomar dinero prestado para comprar una vivienda? Hay buenos y malos negocios. Si no quiere quedar atado a uno malo, tenga cuidado.

Debt Collection in the Maine Courts (updated July 2008)
What will happen if you're sued on a debt in Maine District Court.
El Cobro de Duedas en La Corte de Maine (revisado en junio 2005)

Student Loans

Links to more legal information

The Maine Attorney General's Consumer Law Guide has the most comprehensive information for Maine consumers. This A to Z consumer guide covers everything from the Maine Lemon Law to coping with tele-marketers and credit sales. The AG's office also provides mediation on consumer issues through its Consumer Mediation Service.

A Guide to Small Claims Proceedings
Offered by the Maine Court System, explains how to bring your own small claims action and how to defend against one.

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine website is getting better all the time. They now have a "self-filers" page, explaining the basics of both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings.

Guide to Defaulted Student Loans
This comprehensive guide from the U.S. Department of Education includes what you need to know about loan consolidation and loan cancellation for eligible debtors. The Legal Aid Network of Kentucky also posts a good summary of the law on student loan discharges. (This was written for lawyers; the language is rather dense.)

Volunteer Lawyers Project
Will advise you about consumer credit counseling and, if you qualify, how to get a reduced-rate lawyer to help you file for bankruptcy.

The National Consumer Law Center
Posts helpful consumer education in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese and Russian. Topics include:

• credit issues and pitfalls
• opening bank accounts
• phone slamming
• making wire transfers
• dishonest immigration consultants
• pay day loans
• forclosure rescue scams

More Help

Protection from Identity Theft and Internet-based Scams

As you must know by now, many scammers have moved their operations to the web. For starters, read this Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Alert on identity theft: How Not to Get Hooked by a ‘Phishing’ Scam.

Several federal and state agencies post helpful information about avoiding and responding to all forms of Identity Theft. We recommend:

Federal Trade Commisssion's Avoid ID Theft site
Maine Attorney General Message about Identity Theft
Maine Office of Consumer Credit Regulation Identity Theft Basics

The Consumer's Union also advises you about placing a "security freeze" on your credit reports. This is a Maine law that applies to Maine consumers only; however, many other states have similar laws. If you have asked for a freeze on your credit records and believe that a credit reporting agency is not honoring the freeze, contact the Maine Office of Consumer Credit Regulation or the Maine Attorney General's Office.

Protection from Tele-Marketers

A federal appeals court has revived the national Do-Not-Call list. Both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have Do-Not-Call rules and enforcement powers. Go the the FTC site to register if you do not want for-profit tele-marketers to call you. Get more information from the FTC and the FCC. You can register a cell phone, as well as a land line phone. More on this from the FCC

Consumer Credit

Maine Office of Consumer Credit Regulation
If you need help with a consumer credit problem, this state agency provides an online complaint form.  Also, get their online Downeaster Guides:

• Downeaster Consumer Guide to Credit Bureaus and Credit Reports
• Downeaster Guide to Debt Collection and Repossession
• Downeaster Consumer Guide to Consumer Rights


Also available free by mail:


• Downeaster Pocket Credit Guide
• Downeater Guide to Cut-Rate Auto Financing
• Do You Need to Obtain a License or Registration?

Get Free Credit Report

Don't be scammed by other websites, pop-up ads or e-mails offering credit reports. Read the FTC's Consumer Alert.

You have the right to get your credit report for free and to get clear information about how to make corrections. CCR posts these instructions and a Credit Request Form. The three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies also sponsor an online option for getting your credit report.

FTC Consumer Information: Credit
The Federal Trade Commission posts a lot of user-friendly information for consumers. This page features links to information about credit consolidation scams, credit records, ID theft, and many other common credit issues.

Utilities

Maine Public Utilities Commission Consumer Assistance Division
If you can't resolve your problem with a regulated utility service--like your electric or telephone company--contact this state agency by phone or fill out an on-line complaint form.

The Maine State Housing Authority, sponsors several programs to help low-income consumers with costs of utilities (LIHEAP, LIAP, Weatherization, Appliance Replacement). Apply for most programs at your local CAP office.

Telephone Assistance Program gives discounted phone rates to people who get public assistance (TANF, SSI, Medicaid, food stamps, LIHEAP, or emergency assistance).

The Maine Public Advocate Office posts up-to-date information for utility consumers, including phone rate comparisons.