| Volume 58 Number 4 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
After 7 years, most debts become obsolete and are no longer reported on your credit report. A debt cannot be "re-aged" and placed back on your credit report even if it is sold to a new collector. The threat to put something "back on your report," also violates federal law. Know your rights when it comes to dealing with a debt collector. Click here for more.
Another Major Recall for Tylenol
Johnson & Johnson has been plagued by recalls. Despite already recalling hundreds of millions of product in the past year, Johnson & Johnson was forced to issue yet another recall for 43 million packages of Tylenol, Benadryl, Sudafed, and Sinutab products. The recall stems from problems associated with manufacturing quality control. Specifically, product equipment was not properly cleaned prior to production. The Johnson & Johnson McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit has now recalled 228 million units. Click here for more.
Tax Season: Deductions to Avoid
Do you do your own taxes? Do you itemize deductions instead of taking the standard deduction? In order to maximize your return, it is very important to understand which deductions benefit you the most. However, it is even more important that you choose your deductions carefully. Avoid "bogus deductions" and only claim deductions for which you're entitled. In the event you're audited, these deductions will be examined carefully. For nine common deductions to avoid, Click here for more.
Your Money
Will you save by refinancing your mortgage? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Communication directed to consumer’s attorney is actionable under the FDCPA. The Third Circuit held that a law firm’s letter to the debtor’s attorney might have violated the FDCPA. The plaintiff alleged the defendant violated the FDCPA by demanding $910 in attorney fees when court rule permits only $15.43, $335 for searches when court rule permits only $75, $160 for recording fees when the actual fee was only $60, and $475 for service of process when statute and court rule limit reimbursement to $175. The court noted that “If an otherwise improper communication would escape FDCPA liability simply because that communication was directed to a consumer’s attorney, it would undermine the deterrent effect of strict liability.” Click here for more.