Client Resources – Page 10 – Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

2020 Census: Get Counted, Hazte Contar

Posted on March 9, 2020

The 2020 Census is coming. Find out what you need to know to get counted.

Se acerca el Censo 2020. Aprenda lo que necesita saber para ser contado.

Download our Get Counted flyer in English and Español

What is the Census? | ¿Qué es el censo?

The census is a count taken every 10 years of every person in the United States.

El censo es un recuento realizado cada 10 años de cada persona en los Estados Unidos. Es realizado por la oficina del Censo de EE. UU.

What will I be asked? | ¿Qué se preguntará?

How many people are living or staying at your home.
Whether the home is owned or rented.
The sex, age, name and race of each person in the home.
Whether the person in our home is of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.
The relationship of each person in your home.

You will NOT be asked about your citizenship status.

Cuántas personas viven o se quedan en su casa.
Si la casa es propiedad privada o está alquilada.
El sexo, edad, nombre y raza de cada persona en el hogar.
Si alguien en su casa es de origen hispano, latino o español.
La relación de cada persona en su hogar.

No se le preguntará sobre su estado de ciudadanía.

Why participate? | ¿Por qué participar?

Funding for Roads, Schools, Services: The U.S. Government distributes billions in federal funds each year based on census data.

Planning for the Future: Local organizations and businesses use census data to plan for the future of our community.

Political Representation: Our number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives is based on census data. N.C. stands to gain a seat based on the 2020 Census count. Population data from the census also informs how state and federal districts are drawn.

Financiamiento para carreteras, escuelas, servicios: el gobierno de los EE. UU. Distribuye miles de millones de dólares en fondos federales cada año en función de los datos del censo.

Planificación para el futuro: Las organizaciones y empresas locales utilizan los datos del censo para planificar el futuro de nuestra comunidad.

Representación política: nuestro número de escaños en la Cámara de Representantes de EE. UU. Se basa en datos del censo, y Carolina del Norte puede ganar un escaño en función del recuento del censo de 2020. Los
datos de población del censo también informan cómo se definen los distritos estatales y federales.

What to expect | Cómo es el Proceso

March 12 – 20

You should receive official Census Bureau mail explaining how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail by April 1.

April 1

The official day of the count. Every home will receive an invitation to participate by mail. You can respond for everyone in your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. When you respond, you’ll tell the Census Bureau where you and members of your household (including children) live as of April 1, 2020.

April

Census takers begin visiting college students living on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers also begin conducting quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate count.

May – July

Census takers will visit homes that haven’t responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted.

Del 12 al 20 de marzo

Recibirá un correo oficial de la Oficina del Censo que explique cómo responder al Censo 2020 en línea, por teléfono o por correo antes del 1 de abril.

1 de abril

El día oficial del conteo. Cada hogar recibirá una invitación para participar por correo. podrá responder por todos los miembros de su casa de tres maneras: en línea, por teléfono o por correo. Cuando responda, debe hacerlo con
la información de todas las personas (incluyendo niños) que vivan en esa residencia el 1 de abril de 2020. EL censo es por dirección de residencia, no por grupo familiar.

Abril

Los encuestadores comienzan a visitar estudiantes universitarios que viven en el campus, personas que viven en centros para personas mayores y otros que viven entre grandes grupos de personas. Los encuestadores del censo también comienzan a realizar entrevistas de control de calidad para ayudar a garantizar un recuento preciso.

Mayo – Julio

Los encuestadores del censo visitarán hogares que no han respondido al Censo 2020 para ayudar a asegurar que todos sean contados.

Keep in mind | Tenga en cuenta

Your information is sensitive and yours to share: The law is very clear that census responses must remain confidential and cannot be used against individuals in any way. However, census data has been misused in the past. Every family should consider the benefits and the potential risk. Get the facts and decide what is best for your situation.

Su información es confidencial y segura para compartir: la ley es muy clara en cuanto a que las respuestas del censo deben permanecer confidenciales y no pueden utilizarse en contra de las personas de ninguna manera. Sin embargo, los datos del censo han sido mal utilizados en el pasado. Cada familia debe considerar los beneficios y el potencial de riesgo. Por este motivo informese y averigue todos hechos reales acerca del Censo y como puede beneficiarle y decida lo mejor para su familia.

Protect yourself from possible scams: Be aware of anyone who comes to your door or contacts you claiming to be a census taker. Ask to see appropriate identification and make sure addresses on documents match the official address of the U.S. Census Bureau. Census takers will not come to your home if you have already participated in the census online, by phone or by mail.

Protéjase de posibles estafas: preste atención a cualquier persona que se acerque a su puerta o se contacte con usted alegando ser un encuestador. Pida ver la identificación apropiada y asegúrese de que las direcciones en los documentos coincidan con la dirección oficial de la Oficina del Censo de los EE. UU. Los censistas no irán a su hogar si ya participó en el censo en línea, por teléfono o por correo.

Look for: | Este atento de:

a government ID card with the person’s name, photo, Department of Commerce watermark and expiration date.

an official bag with laptop or smart phone featuring the U.S. Census Bureau logo.

field representatives visiting homes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

representatives at local organizations and events with a computer to help people respond to the census online.

una tarjeta de identificación del gobierno con el nombre de la persona, foto, logo y marca de agua del departamento de Comercio y fecha de caducidad.

un maletín oficial con un computador portátil o teléfono inteligente con el logo del censo de EE. UU.

representantes de campo que visitan hogares solo pueden hacerlo entre las 9 a.m. y las 9 p.m.

representantes en organizaciones locales y eventos con una computadora para ayudar la gente responde al censo en línea.

A census worker will never: | Un trabajador del censo nunca le pedirá:

ask to enter your home.
ask for your Social Security Number.
ask for money or bank account information.
ask if you are a Democrat or Republican.
threaten to send you to jail for refusing to answer questions.

entrar a su casa.
su número de Seguro Social.
dinero o información de su cuenta bancaria o tarjetas de credito
preguntarle si es demócrata o Republicano
amenazar con enviarlo a la cárcel por negarse a responder preguntas.

Still have questions? Visit MeckCounts2020.com or 2020census.gov to learn more.

¿Aún tienes preguntas? Visite MeckCounts2020.com o 2020census.gov para obtener más información.

Protecting Seniors from Fraud and Scams

Posted on March 5, 2020

Seniors are at high risk of being targeted by scams due to increased health needs and accumulated assets, savings, or income.

Learn about the types of scams that target seniors to protect yourself, your loved ones and your neighbors from becoming victims.

Types of Scams

Government Agency Scams:
Scammers call demanding personal or financial information claiming to be government agencies like Social Security, Medicare, or the IRS

Technological advances allow scammers to “spoof” numbers to look like they are calling from a particular location.
While scams can occur year-round, scammers take advantage of important deadlines such as:
– Tax Season
– Open Enrollment
– Issuing new Medicare cards

Why are these scams so common?

Large government programs have complicated rules and procedures. Seniors fear getting in trouble and losing benefits they need to remain stable.

Medicare Scams

Nearly all seniors receive Medicare and rely on it for crucial health care.

Medicare is an entitlement – meaning you must receive written, timely notice before any changes are made to your benefits.

Medicare will NEVER call you and demand immediate payment. Everything is done on paper or in-person

Scammers are working 24/7, but they are particularly active in the fall during Medicare Open Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7).

Common Schemes include:

Door to Door Agents
- Agents often cold call or go door-to-door promising the best Advantage plans
- The agents may not be legitimate or may offer plans that fail to meet your needs (e.g. Does the plan include your providers/networks?)
- Medicare Imposters
- Individuals calling from Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services asking for personal information.
Health Care Agencies
- Salespersons from medical equipment companies or home health agencies promising free equipment or services

Tips to protect yourself:

NEVER give out your private information over the phone (including partial information like last 4 digits of your Social Security Number).
- If you have an ongoing case with Social Security or Medicare, demand written notice and asks for an option to discuss the issue in-person
- Your new Medicare Number should still be protected!
NEVER sign blank forms for insurance, services, or medical equipment.
ALWAYS review quarterly Medicare notices and report fraudulent activity.
ALWAYS use a reliable source to renew or change your Medicare benefits.
Questions? Contact: Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), 1-800-Medicare or a TRUSTED, certified agent/broker available year-round.

Social Security Scams

Similar to Medicare scams, seniors will receive a call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration asking for personal information.
Caller ID will provide Social Security’s actual number
More calls are being made by live people (versus robocalls). Some callers claim to be law enforcement claiming your Social Security Number was associated with a crime.
Callers threaten to suspend your Social Security Number or terminate your benefits unless you provide personal or financial information.

Tips to protect yourself:

Social Security will NEVER call you at random.
- Legally, Social Security must send you written notice if there are any changes to your benefits.
- You will receive a letter if SSA needs to talk to you. The letter will provide the date, time of the call and the name of the caller on Social Security Administration letterhead
Never provide your Social Security Number (or even part of your SSN)
Social Security Numbers will never be suspended
When in doubt, visit the Social Security Administation in person or check your benefits on socialsecurity.gov/myssa.

Other Scams and Exploitation

“Stranger Danger” is not enough! Seniors often lose money due to schemes involving family, friends, or caregivers.

Grandparent Scam – Someone calling on behalf of a child or other relative claims they need money immediately (usually via wire transfer or overnight courier).
Sweetheart Scam – A con artist begins a friendship or relationship with a senior, often incapacitated, to win over their trust.
Financial Exploitation – A person, usually a caregiver or loved one, takes the assets of another person without their knowledge or consent.

Examples:

Adult daughter uses mom’s debit card to buy groceries – She spends $50 on groceries and $150 on clothes for herself.
Son forges his mom’s signature on checks to “help her out.”
Step-daughter takes keys of her step-father’s car while he’s in a nursing home recovering from a stroke and refuses to give the car back.
Nephew takes his uncle with dementia to a lawyer’s office to sign some documents – a power of attorney and deed transferring his house to the nephew.

Consequences:

Reduced livelihood: One could possibly lose a house, car, savings, pension, etc. due to actions of the abuser or creditors
Health Risks: One could lose Medicaid benefits and access to health care due to transfer of assets penalty
Loss of independence: A court could appoint a guardian if the exploited individual lacks capacity to make decisions.

Tips to protect yourself:

Discuss finances only with people you trust.
Ask financial institutions about fraud monitoring services.
Consider executing a Durable Power of Attorney
- Appoint trustworthy person, who is capable of handling your affairs
- Name alternates to your Power of Attorney
Do not hesitate to report any suspected exploitation to financial institutions, Adult Protective Services, and/or police

Resources

National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311
Adult Protective Services (APS) 704-336-CARE
Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) 1-855-408-1212
Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for Social Security 1-800-269-0271
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 1-877-FTC-HELP
North Carolina Dept of Justice 1-877-5-NO-SCAM
Legal Aid of North Carolina 1-866-219-LANC
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

What NOT to do when filing your taxes

Posted on March 2, 2020

Filing taxes can be an overwhelming task, often because taxpayers are afraid of making mistakes. And there’s a good reason for some to feel that way: seemingly small mistakes made when filing your taxes can result in a major issue with the IRS down the road.

Learn what you need to do to file properly, protect yourself and ensure you have met all your obligations as a taxpayer.

What NOT to do when filing taxes:

DO NOT forget to request and keep a copy of your filed tax return.
DO NOT claim education credits on your tax return if you or one your dependents did not attend college.
DO NOT file as “Married Filing Jointly,” if you and your partner are not married to each other.
DO NOT file as “Head of Household,” if you are married and your spouse lived with you at the end of 2019, even if one spouse has a Social Security Number and the other has an ITIN.
If you are self-employed, DO NOT forget to keep proof of your business income and business expenses, such as receipts.

Get free assistance preparing your taxes

Taxpayers who made less than $56,000 in 2019 can get FREE tax preparation services at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout tax season. Find one near you today!

Workers with ITINs: Have you renewed your number with the IRS?

What is an ITIN? ITINs, Individual Tax Identification Numbers is a processing number the IRS issues to people who do not have a social security number but are required to have an identification number for tax purposes. ITINs do not serve any purpose other than federal tax reporting.

The IRS sends notices to taxpayers with ITINs informing them of when to renew their ITIN. If you received a letter to renew your ITIN, but you did not, then it has expired and needs renewal.

If you have filed taxes with an expired ITIN, refunds from tax credits and dependent exemptions will be held until you renew your ITIN.

The ITIN renewal process is the same as the application for a new ITIN. You must complete IRS Form W-7 and check “Renew Existing ITIN” at the top of the form. You are still required to submit identifying documents.

Some local IRS offices can verify identification documents you need to renew your ITIN.

The Taxpayer Assistance Center in Charlotte and in other North Carolina cities can verify documents, but you will need to make an appointment in advance. The schedule an appointment at the closest office near you that can verify your information contact 844-545-5640.

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy can assist taxpayers that need to renew their ITIN but does not verify or certify identification documents to submit with the W-7.

Learn more about ITIN Renewal.

Check out our other Tax Season Resources:

What to remember this Tax Season

Protect yourself from scams this Tax Season

What to remember this Tax Season

Posted on March 2, 2020

Tax season is upon us, and many people are looking for help filing a tax return.

In doing so, taxpayers should choose their tax preparers wisely because it’s ultimately the taxpayer who is responsible for all the information on their income tax return. This is true no matter who prepares the return.

Here are some tips for folks to remember when selecting a preparer:

Consider Going to a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Site. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites provide FREE income tax preparation to individuals and families who make less than $56,000 per year. These sites operate between February and mid-April at locations all over North Carolina. Find a VITA site near you!

Check the Preparer’s Qualifications. People can use the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. This tool helps taxpayers find a tax return preparer with specific qualifications. The directory is a searchable and sortable listing of preparers.

Check the Preparer’s History. Taxpayers can ask the local Better Business Bureau about the preparer. They should check for disciplinary actions and the license status for credentialed preparers.

Ask about Service Fees. People should avoid preparers who base fees on a percentage of the refund or who boast bigger refunds than their competition.

Ask to e-file. The quickest way for taxpayers to get their refund is to electronically file their federal tax return and choose direct deposit.

Make Sure the Preparer is Available. Taxpayers may want to contact their preparer after this year’s April 15 due date. People should avoid “fly-by-night” preparers.

Provide Records and Receipts. Good preparers will ask to see a taxpayer’s records and receipts. They’ll ask questions to figure things like the total income, tax deductions and credits.

Never Sign a Blank Return. Taxpayers should not use a tax preparer who asks them to sign a blank tax form.

Review Before Signing. Before signing a tax return, the taxpayer should review it. They should ask questions if something is not clear. Taxpayers should feel comfortable with the accuracy of their return before they sign it. Once they sign the return, taxpayers are accepting responsibility for the information on it.

Review details about any refund. Taxpayers should make sure that their refund goes directly to them – not to the preparer’s bank account. The taxpayer should review the routing and bank account number on the completed return.

Ensure the Preparer Signs and Includes their PTIN. All paid tax preparers must have a Preparer Tax Identification Number. By law, paid preparers must sign returns and include their PTIN.

Report Abusive Tax Preparers to the IRS. Most tax return preparers are honest and provide great service to their clients. However, some preparers are dishonest. People can report abusive tax preparers and suspected tax fraud to the IRS. Use Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer (PDF).

Check out our other Tax Season Resources:

What NOT to do when filing your taxes

Protect yourself from scams this tax season

Protect Yourself This Tax Season

Posted on March 2, 2020

Tax season is also the season for scams targeting taxpayers. Understand the most common scams to protect yourself, your personal information and your finances.

Identity Theft

This occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your Name, Social Security Number (SSN) or other personal identifying information, without your permission. It is often used by scammers to fraudulently file tax returns and claim refunds.

If you file a tax return and then receive a letter from IRS that another tax return was filed using your name, OR if you don’t file a tax return and then receive a letter that a tax return was filed using your name, the false tax filing could be due to identity theft.

Your identity could be stolen, or misused by a former spouse, family member or business partner.

If you believe that you are at risk of identity theft due to lost, stolen, or misused personal information, contact the North Carolina Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic of Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy.

Phishing

Phishing is usually carried out with unsolicited e-mails or fake websites to steal your personal and financial information. All you must do is click on false links and your personal information could be compromised.

Keep in mind, the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by e-mail to request personal or financial information.

Some tax scammers also use snail mail; so be aware, when you receive regular mail that purports to be from the IRS too. If you are not sure, contact the IRS directly.

Tax Preparer Fraud

Keep in mind, as a taxpayer you are legally responsible for the information you represent on your tax return, even if the tax return is prepared by a third-party professional.

“Free Money” from the IRS

There is NO SUCH THING as “free money” from the IRS. Be skeptical of flyers and advertisements promising you “free money” from the IRS. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Need Help?

Contact the North Carolina Low-Income Tax Clinic.

Check out our other Tax Season Resources:

What to remember this Tax Season

What NOT to do when filing your taxes

Ocho Cosas Que Debes Saber Sobre Carga Pública

Posted on February 27, 2020

Tiene preguntas sobre la “carga pública”? Mire esta presentación de Elizabeth Setaro del Centro Apoyo Legal de Charlotte para conocer cómo la carga pública y si afecta a su familia.

¿Qué es la carga publica?

La carga publica se refiere a una ley antigua de inmigración que dice que el gobierno puede negar entrada o la residencia permanente a un inmigrante que probablemente dependa del gobierno en el futuro.

¿A quién aplica la carga publica?

Personas que ingresan al EEUU con visas de estudiante, laborales o familiares
Personas con visa de estudiante, laborales o familiar que solicitan ajustar su estatus migratorio al estatus de residente permanente
Residentes permanentes que salen del país por seis meses o más y buscan reingresar a los EEUU

¿A quién NO aplica la carga publica?

Asilo o refugiado
Renovación de residencia
TPS, visa U, visa T
Renovaciones de DACA
Estado especial para inmigrante juvenil
Personas aplicando para ciudadanía

¿Cuáles beneficios son considerados para la carga publica?

Medicaid (excepto Medicaid de emergencia, menores de 21 años, mujeres embarazadas y nuevas madres)
Programa de asistencia nutricional, “estampillas de comida” o “cupones de alimento”
Programas de asistencia en efectivo (SSI, TANF, asistencia general)
Asistencia de vivienda como Sección 8 y Vivienda Publica
La mayoría de las personas sujetas a la regla no son elegibles para beneficios mencionados.

¿Cuáles beneficios NO son afectados por la carga publica?

Todos servicios no mencionados
WIC
CHIP
Mercado de salud, obamacare
Almuerzos escolares
Dispensas de alimentos
Asistencia de cuidado infantil

¿Qué va a pasar si uso beneficios?

El uso de beneficios no lo hará automáticamente un cargo publico
Los oficiales de inmigración deben examinar todas sus circunstancias para determinar si es probable que dependa del gobierno en el futuro.
Edad, salud, ingresos, educación, habilidades, otros
Factores positivos se pueden medir contra factores negativos

¿Use beneficios en el pasado, como me afectan los cambios?

Los cambios en la ley NO son retroactivos
Solo cuentan beneficios recibidos empezando el 24 de febrero
Beneficios recibidos antes de esa fecha siguen las reglas antiguas

¿Un familiar recibe estos beneficios, me afecta a mí?

Beneficios recibidos por los dependientes de un solicitante no pueden considerarse en la evaluación de la carga pública del solicitante
Incluir su nombre en la aplicación de su hijo NO significa que ha solicitado beneficios para usted

9-30 Recap of Healthcare Hot Topics: Access to Care in N.C.

Posted on October 11, 2019

When it comes to health care in North Carolina, a lot is changing. Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and CareRing recently hosted a policy update to help residents understand what’s changing and how we can protect access to care in our community. Learn about what is happening and use these resources to stay informed.

Medicaid Transformation in North Carolina

North Carolina’s Medicaid program is changing. The state has contracted with private health insurance companies to manage health care for most N.C. residents who receive health coverage through Medicaid and NC Health Choice (CHIP). Find out what you need to know to prepare your family or your patients for these changes.

Find out what these changes mean for you and your family and what you need to do to continue receiving your Medicaid benefits.

Contact Charlotte Center
for Legal Advocacy
Becca Friedman (English)
Johanna Parra (Español )

Learn more about Medicaid Transformation in NC

Access to Care Under the Affordable Care Act

Despite misinformation, repeal attempts and significant budget cuts for outreach and advertising, the Affordable Care Act has enabled thousands of North Carolinians to receive affordable health insurance with protections from pre-existing condition exclusions and limits over the last nine years.

More North Carolinians would have access to affordable health coverage and care if the state were to expand it’s Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act by 2020, which would have provided $21 billion in federal tax dollars to the state and created 43,000 jobs.

Because the state has failed to expand its program, at least 200,000 N.C. residents fall into the Medicaid Gap, where their income is too high to qualify for the current Medicaid program while also being too low to qualify for financial assistance to purchase health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

Despite N.C.’s failure to expand Medicaid, the state’s uninsured rate is at 11 percent and continues to decrease. Last year, Mecklenburg County had the highest number of enrollments in the state with 60,229 residents enrolling in a Marketplace plan; 53,878 received financial assistance, and 16,655 enrolled for the first time.

There are still more than 1 million N.C. residents who remain uninsured but eligible for coverage with financial assistance.

Open Enrollment Nov. 1 – Dec. 15 2019

Navigators are available Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. across Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Union counties, with enrollment events every Wednesday and Saturday. Make a free appointment today:

Call 1-855-733-3711

Visit ncnavigator.net

Learn more about the Health Insurance Navigator Project

Immigrant Access to Health Care in North Carolina

Over the last two years, immigrant families have been targeted by policy changes that have impacted their safety, security and stability.

As advocates for health care and immigrant families, we have the opportunity to fight fear with facts.

Immigrants — including naturalized citizens, lawfully present non-citizens and people who are undocumented — make up 13 percent of the U.S. population. The vast majority of children in immigrant families are U.S.-born citizens, which means they have access to the same health care and benefits as other U.S. citizen children.

Shift in Federal Immigration Policies

Increasing immigration enforcement
Removal of legal protections
Reducing access to public benefits

Impact on Health Care Access

Immigrant families, including those with lawful status, are experiencing resounding levels of fear and uncertainty.
Increased fears are having significant negative effects on the health and well-being of children that have lifelong consequences.
Immigrant families have growing concerns about participating in public programs.

What you can do

Understand these policies and how they impact our community
Help patients understand their health coverage options.
Make your voice heard! Hold policy makers accountable to protect and expand access to health care in our community.

Questions? Contact Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

Conozca Sus Derechos

Posted on September 18, 2019

Usted tiene derechos. Sin importar su estado migratorio. Para protegerse usted y su familia, es importante saber sus derechos.

You have rights regardless of your immigration status. To protect yourself and your family, you must know your rights.

Nuestras organizaciones reconocen que la incertidumbre sobre el futuro puede causarles inquietudes a las familias inmigrantes. Esperamos que estos recursos puedan brindar las familias herramientas necesarias para convertir las angustias en acción.

Our organizations understand that uncertainty about the future creates anxiety for immigrant families. We hope that these resources below can give families tools to transform fear into action.

Juntos, podemos construir una comunidad más acogedora y justa para todas las personas.

Together, we can build a more welcoming and just community for all people.

El Centro de Apoyo Legal de Charlotte
La Coalición
El Puente Hispano
Action NC
Comunidad Colectiva

Recursos/Resources

Guia De Planeación De Emergencia para la COMUNIDAD INMIGRANTE / An Emergency Planning Guide for the Immigrant Community

Conozca Sus Derechos: Guia sobre sus derechos / Know Your Rights: Guide to your rights

12 Cosas que usted y su familia deben recordar en cualquier situacion / 12 Things for you and your family to remember in any situation

Tarjeta Roja de Derechos Constitucionales / Red Card Outlining Constitutional Rights

Evite el Fraude de Notarios Públicos / Avoid Notario Fraud

10 things to remember when buying a used car

Posted on June 5, 2019

Buying a used car can sometimes feel overwhelming. Consumer protection attorney Edward Byron lists the top 10 things to keep in mind when buying a used car.

Know the market value. Check resources at your local library or websites like kbb.com, nadaguides.com, or edmunds.com to find out the market value of the year, make, and model you want to buy before you visit the dealership
Research the dealership. Check out the dealership with the state Attorney General’s Office at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or N.C. Department of Justice website. Also check your local Better Business Bureau before you go. Read reviews using websites like Google and Yelp.
Get pre-approved. Get pre-approved for a loan before you head to the dealership. That way, you’ll have a better idea of what kinds of cars you can afford and what interest rate you can qualify for. Be aware that dealerships may profit by charging you a higher interest rate than what you actually qualify for.
Price first, then the rest. Negotiate the price of the car before discussing the monthly payments or your trade-in’s value, otherwise you can be tricked into paying far more for the vehicle than it is worth.
Front-end add-ons like paint treatment, fabric finish, undercoating, appearance packages are very expensive and add little value to the car. If you agree to pay for them, make sure you get them.
Back-end add-ons like GAP insurance and service contracts may provide little coverage. Be sure you understand what is covered and what isn’t before you decide to buy.
Most used cars are sold “as-is.” This means that if the vehicle breaks down days after you buy it, there is usually very little that you can do. So, be sure to test drive the vehicle, inspect the car thoroughly, and consider taking the car to a mechanic and body shop that you trust before you buy.
Find out about the car’s history. Ask the dealership whether the car has ever been in an accident and get the answer in writing. Get a Carfax or AutoCheck vehicle history report.
Review the vehicle history disclosure statement. This document is required by law and shows if the car has been involved in a major accident or has been salvaged or flooded.
Always read contracts carefully before you sign them and make sure all written documents match what you’ve been promised. Never sign a document that you don’t understand or that has blanks to be filled in later.
Get a copy of all purchase and financing documents before you leave the dealership and keep them in a safe place (not in the car’s glove compartment, just in case the car is repossessed).

If you still have questions or you think you have been taken advantage of by a used car dealer, contact Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and ask to speak to someone in ourConsumer Protection Program.

Healthcare.gov Knocked For Glitches, Inaccurate Info By Advocacy Group

Posted on December 7, 2018

If you’re shopping for an insurance plan on healthcare.gov, the online marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act, there’s an important feature that doesn’t always work, an advocacy group says. It sometimes gives misinformation about which doctors are in the network for each plan.