Articles from LegalShield

American consumers are letting defective or unwanted purchases pile up in their closets rather than return them, with nearly half saying they've kept items in the past year because the process was too cumbersome.

LegalShield released its January Consumer Stress Legal Index (CSLI) showing a slight decline in overall stress, but a nearly 4-year high in bankruptcy inquiries. Rising calls for help with bankruptcies signal a rise in personal bankruptcies through the second quarter.

PPLSI, the parent company of LegalShield and IDShield, today announced Jeff Bell’s retirement as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 15, 2022. Since 2014, Mr. Bell has played a critical role in the development and success of the organization.

As we continue to spotlight small businesses during May, LegalShield, the leading provider of membership-based legal services and identity theft protection plans, today announces a partnership with NEWITY, the small business marketplace dedicated to creating equitable access to SBA loans and trusted business service providers. As NEWITY’s official legal services provider, its 115,000 small business members will have access to LegalShield’s Small Business Legal Plans, services, and network of provider law firms.

The entrepreneurial spirit is stronger than it has been in decades as more people have decided to create their own business during the pandemic. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 5.4 million new business applications were filed in 2021, surpassing the 2020 record of 4.4 million. At the same time, small business formation requires a significant amount of legal paperwork which can be difficult to navigate alone. Those seeking to start a small business can greatly benefit from a service that’s affordable and provides personal legal support to help to manage every step of the process.

New data from LegalShield, consumer brand of PPLSI and the leading provider of membership-based legal services and identity theft protection plans, shows that financial stress is returning and affecting younger age groups like Gen Z and Millennials, a troubling trend as many pandemic-related federal support efforts have expired and student loan relief is set to expire early 2022.

PPLSI, the parent company of LegalShield and IDShield, and a champion of equal access to justice and security, announced today that it has named global brandtech group You & Mr Jones as Marketing and Communications Partner of Record for both brands.

New data from LegalShield, consumer brand of PPLSI and the leading provider of membership-based legal services and identity theft protection plans, shows that once again, overall consumer stress remains muted and relatively unchanged from September, despite consumer prices increasing at a 6.2% annual rate according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Record-high home prices are also feeding into accelerating inflation and weighing on buyer sentiment, and prospective buyers are seeing their purchasing power shrink.

Despite the economic challenges faced by consumers, LegalShield data show that overall consumer stress remains muted as we enter the final quarter of the year. Thus far, the Economic Stress Index has not increased despite the Delta variant’s impact on employment, the expiration of federal unemployment insurance programs, and rising rent and housing costs. However, demand for legal services related to employment and landlord-tenant issues rose in the third quarter, suggesting that some consumers are facing uncertainty about what the expiration of pandemic-era support measures will mean for their financial situations. If this trend continues, it could translate into a broader increase in financial stress and slower spending.

LegalShield, the leading provider of membership-based legal services and identity theft protection plans, recently hosted the Fifth Annual Elevate by LegalShield Conference in Kiawah Island, S.C.

LegalShield, the leading provider of membership-based legal services and identity theft protection plans, brings associates and employees from U.S. and Canada together in Phoenix for the 2021 Leadership Convention, October 1-3.

LegalShield, the leading provider of tools and services that affordably protect and empower people to live a just and secure life, today announced the launch of a new mobile app experience that makes it easier for everyone to obtain legal counsel on a wide range of personal and business legal issues. In a manner similar to telemedicine, the new LegalShield mobile app experience connects members to LegalShield network lawyers who provide advice, counsel, and legal services.

LegalShield, the company that protects and empowers people with tools and services needed to affordably live a just and secure life, today released its June Economic Stress Index, a suite of leading indicators of the economic and financial status of U.S. households and small businesses. The LegalShield Consumer Stress Index, one of five sub-indices, rose in June for the second consecutive month, with the index’s consumer finance component reaching its highest point since June of last year. LegalShield plan members sought assistance with credit reports and repair, vehicle financing, payday loans/title loans, and billing disputes causing The LegalShield Consumer Stress Index to increase (worsen) 1.7 points in June to 61.5.

LegalShield today released its May Economic Stress Index, a suite of leading indicators of the economic and financial status of U.S. households and small businesses. Two of its sub-indices, The LegalShield Housing Construction and Housing Sales Indices, both climbed for the third straight month to reach record highs. LegalShield continues to receive and resolve an unprecedented number of requests from members seeking attorney reviews of their mortgage and commercial real estate contracts.

LegalShield today released its April Economic Stress Index, a suite of leading indicators of the economic and financial status of U.S. households and small businesses. The LegalShield Housing Construction Index rose to an unprecedented level in the series’ history. Member requests for legal consultation on real estate matters reached their highest level in over a decade. Pandemic-induced shifts in housing demand have resulted in a national shortage of nearly 4 million homes, and builders are rushing to play catch-up. Meanwhile, Consumer Stress, a primary sub-index, fell to its lowest level on record in April due to The American Rescue Plan, warming weather, and rebounding economic activity.

As businesses store more customer data online, thereby increasing their vulnerability to cybercrime, LegalShield today announced the newest addition to its portfolio of personal and business security products: IDShield for Business. The cyberattack protection program offers companies with limited or no IT personnel, a comprehensive, affordable way to mitigate risk and recover from a cyberattack. IDShield for Business is part of LegalShield’s IDShield product suite, which for 20 years, has been a leading North American provider of identity monitoring, theft protection, and restoration technology and services for individuals and families.

LegalShield today released its March Economic Stress Index, a suite of leading indicators of the economic and financial status of U.S. households and small businesses. Consumer stress, a primary sub-index, remains well below year-ago levels, and continues to hover at an all-time low in the index’s 16-year database. Meanwhile, the company’s housing sales index edged up positively in March and remains elevated by historical standards. This data indicates that existing home sales should remain healthy over the next three to six months, though rising interest rates are beginning to weigh on sales activity.