| Volume 61 Number 8 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Always use a credit card when shopping online or by mail. Federal law allows you to refuse to pay the credit card bill if the goods are never delivered. Click here for more.
FBI Busts Internet Gambling Sites
Three of the largest internet gambling sites have been shut down as the United States has charged owners and founders with illegal gambling offenses, bank fraud, and money laundering. Prosecutors have issued restraining orders against 75 bank accounts in 14 countries used by the companies PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker. Prosecutors claim the companies violated the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act by using overseas banks to flout the law. What does this mean for consumers who use the sites? Click here for more.
1.2 Million Trucks Recalled for Airbags
Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that more than one million Ford 150 pickup trucks have been added to a February recall for defective airbags. Faulty wiring in the trucks can cause the driver's side airbag to deploy suddenly. The recall includes 2004 to 2006 Ford 150s and 2006 Lincoln Mark LT pickup trucks. Is your truck subject to recall? What should you do? Click here for more.
New Schedules for Air Traffic Controllers
After several widely publicized instances of air traffic controllers sleeping on the job, the government has come out with new rules to allow controllers to get more rest between shifts. Instead of at least eight hours between shifts, air traffic controllers will now have at least nine hours off. Will the change make a difference? Click here for more.
Your Money
Credit: What will your tax savings be? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Attempt to collect time-barred debt does not violate FDCPA. The Third Circuit held that a debt collector didn’t violate federal consumer protection law when it requested payment of a delinquent credit card account after the statute of limitations had expired. “Even the least sophisticated consumer would not understand [the defendant's] letter to explicitly or implicitly threaten litigation. Furthermore, the [Act] requires debt collectors to inform a debtor ‘that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt.’ Since it is appropriate for a debt collector to request voluntary repayment of a time-barred debt, it would be unfair if debt collectors were found to violate the [Act] both if they include the mandated language (because inclusion would threaten suit) and if they do not (because failure to include a mandatory notice violates the statute).” Click here for more.