| Volume 56 Number 10 |
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This will be the last Consumer News Alert until next week. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
All banks are not created equal. Their services may be the same but prices are not. Shop around. Ask about free checking and online banking. Find out what the rate of interest is on deposits and what they charge for bounced checks, stop-payment orders and other services. Set up a line of credit instead of agreeing to "free" over-draft protection. A little comparative shopping can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Click here for more.
New Legal Initiative for Veterans
A partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Legal Services Corp. that is designed to let veterans know about LSC providers in their area who may be able to advise them on a range of legal issues, including foreclosure, consumer fraud, and employment issues. To aid in the awareness raising effort, LSC has launched a new Web site, http://www.StatesideLegal.org, to help veterans access information online. Click here for more.
Black Friday Bargain Secrets
Major retailers are known for advertising huge savings on big ticket items before Black Friday. The retailers want to encourage consumers to visit the store, hoping the consumers will stay and open their wallets. However, many of the big deals won't be available once you arrive. Most stores only stock four to six units of the "doorbuster" deals. Unless you're one of the first people in line at 4:00AM, 5:00AM, or 6:00AM, you're probably out of luck. To read Black Friday retailer secrets, Click here for more.
Google Enters Travel Industry
The world's largest internet search site, Google, is trying to purchase ITA Software. If successful, Google will have access to one of the travel industry’s most critical companies, allowing Google to take advantage of back-end pricing and itinerary content. Google is facing fierce opposition from other travel companies. What can consumers expect if Google successfully acquires ITA and enters the travel industry? Click here for more.
TSA Vows Minimally Invasive Screening
After weeks of public backlash to new advanced screening techniques, TSA chief John Pistol announced all screenings will be as minimally invasive as possible. The announcement comes on the heels of several consumer horror stories, including one in which a woman was asked to remove a very private prosthetic. Although many consumers have been embarrassed by the new screenings, the Government continues to back the techniques. Click here for more.
Your Money
Should you wait a year to sell your stock? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Tort damages not reduced by healthcare write-offs. The Supreme Court of Colorado considered whether a successful tort plaintiff may recover damages for the full amount of medical expenses incurred, or only the discounted amount paid by the third-party insurance company. The court held that under the collateral source rule, as codified by the contract clause of section 13-21-111.6, C.R.S. (2010), the plaintiff may recover in full. Click here for more.