| Volume 30 Number 6 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act protects you whenever someone misleads or deceives you. This is our consumer protection law, but beware it applies to all sellers, including you when you sell at a garage sale, through a classified ad, or on the web. Don't say anything misleading or deceptive about what you are selling. It could cost you a substantial amount in damages.
World Leaders Seek Financial Solutions
Stocks have crashed. Credit markets have frozen. Panic has begun to set in. In an unprecedented move, the leaders of 15 European nations gathered on Sunday and agreed to a wide-ranging plan to shore up troubled banks. The meetings came a day after President Bush and finance officials from the Group of Seven, Group of 20 and the International Monetary Fund dedicated their best efforts to help the economy recover. The group plans to add capital through investment and guarantee inter-bank lending. Will the plan help you? Click here for more.
Wells Fargo Buys Wachovia
In a recent Consumer Alert, you read about Wells Fargo and Citigroup battling to buy Wachovia. Citigroup gave up it's efforts to challenge the purchase, and the Federal Reserve has approved Wells Fargo's $11.7 billion acquisition of Wachovia. Click here for more.
The Era of Credit May Be Gone
Prolonged periods of tight credit are projected. Some experts suggest that today's credit crisis is more than a temporary problem. It comes as no secret - Americans rely on credit. As we look to the future, a pinch on credit availability may increase bankruptcy's and ultimately promote a fundamental change in consumer behavior. For some, this means "living within your means." For others, it may mean the choice between gas and groceries. Click here for more.
Save on Health Care - Negotiate Your Price
If an insurance company can negotiate a price with a provider, why can't you? Actually, you can! Find out how you can negotiate better prices, locate and eliminate billing errors, and still keep your health care a top priority. Click here for more.
Your Money
Getting a loan can be confusing. The annual percentage rate can sometimes be deceiving. Are you considering a new loan? Find out how much it will actually cost you. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Attorney fee awards in Social Security cases can't be offset. The Eight Circuit has held that Attorney fees awarded in a Social Security case can't be used to offset a claimant's debts to the federal government. "We conclude that attorneys' fees awarded under the EAJA are awarded to the prevailing parties' attorneys, rather than to the parties themselves, and therefore cannot be used to offset the parties' debts to the government." Click here for more.