| Volume 42 Number 8 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Writing a check when you do not have enough money in the bank is criminal and criminal charges may be filed. Stopping payment on a check because you are dissatisfied with the goods or services purchased is not, provided the money would have been available to pay it if payment had not been stopped. Click here for more.
Web Mystery Charge Probe
Have you ever gone to a website to order flowers, concert tickets, or a pair of jeans? Many websites are now allowing outside companies to extract credit card information when consumers (often) accidentally accept a clause to sign-up for a shopping program. If you've purchased something online in the past few months, you've likely encountered these links. By clicking the link, your credit card is charged between $10 and $50 a month under the disguise of "cash back offer." The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has taken notice and starting asking questions. Scores of shoppers insist that they were signed up for the program without consent. Furthermore, many didn't even know they had signed up until months later when they finally noticed the credit card charges. Have you unknowingly signed up for one of these programs? Click here for more.
State Farm Ordered To Make Payments
The State Insurance Commissioner has ordered Start Farm to pay home insurance policyholders $310 million in refunds for overcharges dating back as far as six years. State Farm has 10 days to appeal. Are you a State Farm customer? If so, Click here for more.
15 Million People May Owe IRS
The United States Treasury estimates that 15 million Americans may be getting overpaid by the Making Work Pay credit. Accordingly, those that overpaid may receive a smaller return than expected or be required to pay back the overpaid amount. In the event you believe you overpaid, be prepared to return the money. Click here for more.
Your Money
Can you retire early? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Phone message violated FDCPA. The Eleventh Circuit held that a phone message that did not identify the caller and did not have the mini-miranda warning violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The court also noted that there is not a “right” to leave answering machine messages. Click here for more.