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We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. If you’re worried about being sued over an old debt, the amount you owe could play a significant role. Yuri Arcurs/Getty Images If you’ve fallen behind on a $5,000 debt and a collection agency is hounding you for payments, you might be worried about what happens next. Owing a few thousand dollars to a debt collector can put you in a stressful situation, especially considering that debt collectors are known for their aggressive collection tactics . The tools they can use to try and collect what’s owed range from extra fees and interest charges to threats of lawsuits or other court-related actions, and the tactics tend to escalate over time if the debt remains unpaid. For example, you may already be dodging debt collector calls and feeling overwhelmed every time you check your bank account, so the last thing you want is a lawsuit on top of your financial troubles. If that happens, the ramifications aren’t limited to just financial, either. You also have to

A mistrial was declared Monday in the murder trial of a 74-year-old Orange County Superior Court judge accused of shooting his wife in their Anaheim Hills home, with jurors unable to break a deadlock on their ninth day of deliberations. The panel split 11-1 on guilty on a second-degree murder charge soon after resuming deliberations Monday morning in the trial of Jeffrey Ferguson, who is accused in Aug. 3, 2023, killing of his 65-year-old wife, Sheryl. The panel had left early on Friday, telling the judge overseeing the case they were “exhausted.” Monday’s resumption of deliberations did nothing to break the deadlock, and the mistrial was declared shortly after 11 a.m. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor Hunter will hold a hearing Thursday on how to proceed with an expected retrial, which could happen in April or May. Hunter praised the jury for its “tremendous effort” before releasing the panel. Defense attorney Cameron Talley praised prosecutors, saying they “knocked it out of the park,” and said he plans to appeal to Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer to consider a plea bargain. “He’s lost his

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman Monday announced his office will move forward on a resentencing motion for Erik and Lyle Menendez, with a hearing scheduled for next week — though his office is seeking withdrawal of the previous D.A.’s resentencing motion based on what Hochman said was the brothers’ “failure to show full insight and accept full responsibility for their murders.” At a Monday morning news conference, Hochman announced his office’s response to a court petition for resentencing the brothers, who are serving life-without-parole prison sentences for the Aug. 20, 1989 shotgun killings of their parents, Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in Beverly Hills. “We are prepared to go forward. However, we are asking the court to withdraw the previous district attorney’s motion for resentencing because we believe there are legitimate reasons and the interests of justice justifies that withdrawal,” Hochman said, referring to the motion made by former D.A. George Gascón. Hochman’s announcement said that the hearing for Erik Menendez, 54, and Lyle Menendez, 57, is scheduled for next Thursday and Friday, March 20 and 21, in Van Nuys, with L.A.

California consumers were warned Monday about confidence schemes from fraudulent cryptocurrency websites sometimes referred to as “pig butchering” scams. The typical pig butchering scheme involves a victim receiving a random text or social media message from the scammer, who often attempts to build trust, and then is directed to a fraudulent website to invest money in what appears to be legitimate cryptocurrency. “As scammers grow increasingly sophisticated and calculated, so must our enforcement,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Scammers can use deception and emotional manipulation to take advantage of people looking for connection.” The California Department of Justice (DOJ) said the schemes are often carried out by international scammers making them difficult to arrest and prosecute, but that they are mitigating the scammers’ effectiveness by shutting down fake sites. “In 2024, the California Department of Justice shut down 42 fraudulent websites that scammed innocent victims out of at least $6.5 million, with an average loss per victim of $146,306,” the Attorney General’s office stated in its news release Monday. After reviewing hundreds of websites, the DOJ identified their Top 10 Red Flags for consumers to

During its South by Southwest presentation on Saturday, Disney shared more details about new attractions and experiences coming to the Disneyland Resort. During The Future of World-Building at Disney panel, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, Walt Disney Imagineering President Bruce Vaughn and Robert Downey Jr. showcased what fans can expect from the new rides coming to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure. Avengers Infinity Defense Avengers Campus at Disneyland will double in size with two brand new attractions, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. (Disney Parks) Avengers Infinity Defense will have guests join in battle across the multiverse alongside the Avengers to defeat King Thanos and recover stolen Stark technology. (Disney Parks) Avengers Infinity Defense will have guests join in battle across the multiverse alongside the Avengers to defeat King Thanos and recover stolen Stark technology. Guests will be enlisted to fight alongside the Avengers in an epic battle against King Thanos. Visitors will team up with heroes like Black Panther, Ant-Man and Hulk as they travel through multiple dimensions to save the universe. Stark Flight Lab Avengers Campus at Disneyland will double in

Justice Department investigating egg pricing allegations, sources say – CBS News Watch CBS News The Department of Justice is looking into the rising price of eggs based on an advocacy group’s allegations of skyrocketing prices, sources say. CBS News’ Jake Rosen has more. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

The bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease has been detected at the Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Healthcare System, prompting further testing of all pneumonia patients. The Legionella bacteria, which causes a severe form of pneumonia, was discovered during routine water testing, the Orange County Register reports. “Until further notice, all clinical staff at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System should remain vigilant and ensure that Legionella testing is ordered for all patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of pneumonia,” Dr. V. Franklin Sechriest II, the VA Loma Linda’s chief of staff, said in an email to staff obtained by the Register. “It is crucial to order these clinical tests as soon as pneumonia is suspected or diagnosed to avoid delays in necessary treatment and case investigation.” VA Loma Linda employees think manager’s murder may have been work-related Legionnaires’ disease is usually caused by people inhaling the bacteria from water or soil, and if untreated, it can be fatal. “Although prompt treatment with antibiotics usually cures Legionnaires’ disease, some people continue to have problems after treatment,” the Mayo Clinic warned. In the case of the VA Loma Linda

Witnesses say that a man captured on video driving through a CarMax dealership in Inglewood over the weekend was upset over the appraisal of his vehicle and may have tried to assault an employee first. Carmax confirmed that the customer was having his vehicle appraised before he put the SUV in reverse and drove into the doorway of the dealership, smashing the glass doors and hitting whoever was in his way. Witnesses said the man was unhappy and possibly even threw punches at the employee before getting into the SUV. “All I could see is the car coming towards me and then reverses back into the shop,” witness Miguel Hernandez said. “His reaction was incredible … Who knows what kind of charges he’s going to get charged now just because he didn’t like his approval.” An upset customer is seen driving his car into a CarMax in Inglewood, injuring eight people. March 2025. (@33migz on Instagram) The driver fled the scene after spinning around inside the dealership on the 8600 block of La Cienega Boulevard Saturday afternoon and exiting on the other side of the