DoNotPay's New Service Will Try To Help You Get Bill Extensions Due To Coronavirus (theverge.com) 22
DoNotPay is ready to help you out if you need to delay your rent, credit card, or utility bill payments as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The company, known for its legal aid chatbot, is launching a new service that requests waivers and payment extensions from companies and landlords. The Verge reports: The new product allows the service to identify any bills such as utilities and rent that are eligible for an extension or a late fee waiver. DoNotPay will then reach out to the company to make a "compassionate and polite request." If the request is denied, the service will send out a second letter citing relevant local and state laws. DoNotPay says it will use the "full force of the local and state laws" for states with no related coronavirus laws or orders in effect. Right now, this service is only available in the US, but DoNotPay founder Joshua Browder told The Verge that the company is looking to bring the service to other countries, such as the UK.
When it comes to credit card bills, Browder told The Verge that extensions or waivers for these matters are a "negotiation process." Some companies, such as Apple, are allowing card holders to skip their March payment, but Browder said a majority of businesses are treating business "as usual," requesting customers pay their statements on time with no extensions or waivers.
When it comes to credit card bills, Browder told The Verge that extensions or waivers for these matters are a "negotiation process." Some companies, such as Apple, are allowing card holders to skip their March payment, but Browder said a majority of businesses are treating business "as usual," requesting customers pay their statements on time with no extensions or waivers.
Serious question... (Score:2, Interesting)
Are people really in that poor shape financially that they can't pay the rent or phone bill for even an extra month from savings? For anywhere other than the coasts that's only around having $5k in a savings account. For an entire year, sure then you're putting a decent dent in the money market or even taking a 401-K redemption.
Not trolling, I'm just finding this really hard to believe and wondering if a lot of folks are simply gaming the system during a crisis to get free money.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Are people really in that poor shape financially that they can't pay the rent or phone bill for even an extra month from savings?
It would seem so. [usatoday.com]
Re: (Score:2)
Trump sure as fuck can. And will.
Re: (Score:1)
As a financially responsible person, why should my tax dollars go to pay for folks who don't bother to budget and save?
Because there are a lot of folks out there that *can't* save. Maybe you haven't noticed, but wages overall have not even come close to tracking inflation and the general cost of living (in the U.S., anyway), and the idea of an annual 3-4% COL increase is far from a universal reality. Additionally, people getting "wiped out" en masse will most definitely change their behavior, but I'm thi
Re: (Score:1)
well, you already bailed out your banks who are still laughing their butts off. now's the turn for your fellow countrymen.
if you don't like that you can always go claim some free unoccupied land, if you can find some, and take your financial responsibility with you. oh, and don't forget to build your own roads, schools, hospitals and army.
sheesh.
Re: (Score:1)
Re: Serious question... (Score:2)
Perhaps not needed in many cases (Score:3)
I've already gotten notices from just about everyone I pay money to on a regular basis letting me know there are programs or options available for those having economic trouble due to the pandemic. As an example, my local power company not only will defer payments on request, but has said they won't be shutting off power for non-payment at all for the next few months. Stuff like that. I think most people understand these are rather extraordinary times, and are trying to make accommodations as best they can.
I'm sure we'll hear stories about selfish creditors or landlords that are not helping anyone but themselves, but that's humanity for you. You get the bad with the good. Hopefully those folks get named and shamed.
Re: (Score:3)
I'm sure we'll hear stories about selfish creditors or landlords that are not helping anyone but themselves, but that's humanity for you. You get the bad with the good. Hopefully those folks get named and shamed.
Most of the landlords I know fall into two categories. One, they are old and retired and the rent for the couple of house they own is what they use to buy food each month. The other group, the house they rent out has a 30 year mortgage on it and 90% of the rent goes to pay the mortgage so unless the mortgage company stops their mortgage payment they have no choice but to attempt to collect your rent.
Re: (Score:3)
In the UK, the payment holiday on mortgages is just that - a payment holiday. There is no pause on interest, you just get to skip 3 months of payments and they get loaded on the back of the mortgage.
The UK relief scheme for private renters and landlords is quite poor actually - tenants get protection from eviction for 3 months for non-payment, and landlords get to take a mortgage payment holiday. After 3 months, tenant and landlord are supposed to get together and "work it out" with regard to rent owed.
Re: (Score:2)
Most countries that are allowing the deferred payment scheme are having it as a payment holiday. And it's not simply 3 months added to the back - the interest still accumulates for those 3 months so the back end will have the missing 3 months plus the extra interest that 3 months has, so it depends how big the mortgage is.
Same with credit cards and other things - the interest still accumulates, it's just they're not going to take any action if you don't pay.
As for rent, same deal - the missing rent still ne
Re: (Score:1)
Ideally landlords would be selling their properties and using the money to live off. The retired ones in particular could just get an annuity with the lump sum. We need less renting and more ownership, with a significant cut in prices.
Re:Perhaps not needed in many cases (Score:4, Insightful)
It's not just creditors and landlords who can be selfish. Most of us here work in the tech sector and make six-figure salaries. If you have a big enough emergency savings to get you through this relatively unscathed, don't take advantage of bill deferral offers and services like DoNotPay. Pay your bills on time, so the company you're paying can continue to operate and pay their employees. Because they'll use the money to pay other companies and their employees. And eventually the money comes back around to your company and to pay your salary.
We need to sustain as much inertia as possible in the spinning wheel of the economy through this, so it can be spun back up to full speed more quickly once it's over.
beware of this service (Score:2)
after looking at the letters they will send to help, not sure they will help. It sounds more like they will be threatening your creditors using the law. It could place you in a bad position with your creditors. nobody likes a threat or a perceived threat - even if it was within the law.
Re: (Score:2)
Don't blame landlords (Score:2)
Blame the banks that hold the mortgages that landlords have. They are still demanding timely payment, and I don't know of a landlord that doesn't have a mortgage payment somewhere. As such, they will need to have their rent payments in as usual.
You know the banks, the ones that the taxpayer bailed out in 2007 because of their own malfeasance, none of which was criminally prosecuted??
Yea, those banks.
Re: (Score:2)
You forgot the Government. You think the landlords property taxes can be wished away? Gov gets their also.
Funny how we miss the Banks and Government who are in the background ...