| Volume 53 Number 8 |
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Forward this news alert to your family and friends
Helpful Links
Texas Consumer Complaint Center
Credit Reports and Identity Theft
Your Guide to Small Claims Court
Contact Us
1-713-743-2168
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Writing a post-dated check is a good idea when you don't have the money in the bank but will soon, right? Wrong! As a general rule a post-dated check may be paid by your bank at anytime. My advice: do not write a post-dated check if you don't have the money in the bank. Click here for more.
Investment Scams to Watch For
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Whether you're asked to invest in Nigerian diamond mines, act as a "secret shopper", or participate as a "manager" in a pyramid scheme (often disguised as 'multi-level marketing'), you need to stay as far away as possible. Although many consumers are savvy when it comes to these "traditional" scams, there are some new scams to watch out for. What should you do when someone you trust offers you an "off-the-books" deal? Click here for more.
380 Million Eggs Recalled for Salmonella
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to eggs in four states. There have been 226 reported illnesses in California, with spikes in Texas, Arizona, and several other states. The eggs are branded Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph's, Boomsma's, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. Are your eggs subject to recall? Click here for more.
Protective Orders & Facebook Requests
Protective orders are generally designed to prevent one party from approaching or "contacting" another. Protective orders are often used to "protect" individuals from violent people, individuals who have harassed them, or stalkers. The internet age has changed the meaning "contact." In fact, as a Florida man recently discovered, even a Facebook friend request can constitute "contact", violate a protective order, and lead to jail time. How can a Facebook friend request violate a protective order? Click here for more.
Your Money
What's the fastest and cheapest way to pay-down your debts? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
The Retirees’ Bankruptcy Protection Act trumps ERISA. The Third Circuit held that a corporation in bankruptcy cannot terminate its retirees' health and life insurance benefits -- even if its ERISA plan explicitly reserved its right to unilaterally terminate such benefits -- unless it can show that doing so is a necessary part of its reorganization plan. The 95-page decision promises to alter the playing field in big corporate bankruptcies by mandating compliance with Section 1114 of the Retiree Benefits Bankruptcy Protection Act without exception. Click here for more.