| Volume 62 Number 4 |
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
Be careful when you use a post-dated check. Under the law, your bank may pay that check at any time, and you may bounce many other checks. My advice is never give someone a post-dated check. Click here for more.
Insurance Scam: The Swoop & Stop
Insurance scams are on the rise! If you drive a car, you need to be aware of "swoop and stop," a technique used by insurance scammers that could cost your insurance company thousands. These staged car accidents are caused when the driver slams on the brakes of the vehicle, allowing no time for the tailing drivers to stop. The vehicles that do the "swoop and stop" are generally older, and the drivers are notorious for targeting middle aged to elderly people driving new vehicles. What can you do to protect yourself? Click here for more.
Supreme Court: Crushing Blow to Consumers
On April 27, the United States Supreme Court dealt a crushing blow to consumers when it ruled that companies can ban class actions in the fine print of contracts. According to the ruling, corporations can use arbitration clauses to eliminate a consumers right to band together with other consumers to hold corporations accountable. Why are class actions important? What do the attorneys have to say? Click here for more.
iTunes 56-Page Legal Agreement
Apple updates the legal terms for the iTunes application dozens of times a year. Every time Apple updates its terms, a user must agree to the new terms before he can access and use the iTunes application again. Most consumers don't read the agreement, assuming nothing bad will happen. Whether they read it or not, once they click "agree," they have entered in to a binding contract. Remember, your "electronic signature" is treated just like your physical signature when you make online purchases. Click here for more.
Your Money
Which is better - Cash or payments? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Arbitration clause found unenforceable. The U.S. District Court in Montana held a mandatory arbitration clause in an internet service provider's terms of service—which was presented in capitalized text in the ninth paragraph of the unsigned document—was an inconspicuous part of a contract of adhesion and unenforceable under Montana law. Click here for more.