| Volume 62 Number 12 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Take advantage of the law and get a free copy of your credit report! There are three major credit bureaus and you're entitled to one free report from each agency per year. I suggest alternating between the bureaus, getting one credit report every four months. There is only one government-approved free credit report website. To get your free credit report, Click here for more.
Common Mistakes When Buying a Vehicle
Next time you purchase a car, make sure you get a fair deal. Walk in to the dealership with confidence and know when to walk out on a bad deal. How do you build that confidence? Visiting the dealership frequently to browse is not the answer. In fact, that's a good way to buy on impulse rather than reason. Instead, do independent research, find out which kind of financing works for you, explore vehicle options, and visit multiple dealerships before you pull the trigger. What are some common car-buying mistakes? How can you avoid them? Click here for more.
Explaining the New Car Window Stickers
Starting with the 2013 fleet of new vehicles, new car window stickers will provide consumers with more information to guide the purchase of new vehicles. The new sticker focuses on fuel economy, including average fuel cost, gallons per one hundred miles, miles per gallon, and fuel savings over five years compared to the "average" vehicle. What does the new sticker look like? What do you need to know? Click here for more.
The Future of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Make no mistake about it - the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a giant step for consumer protection. Consumers simply don't have the power to protect themselves against predatory lenders and unsavory banks without a little help. Need an example? Just look at the most recent financial meltdown. What happens when all players don't run under the same rules? Probably another financial meltdown and another bailout. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created to regulate financial markets and take decisive action against the "bad guys." The Bureau opens for business on July 21, empowered to protect American consumers against unfair, deceptive or abusive practices and some members of Congress aren't happy about it. In fact, they've created bills in attempt to take power away from the organization in hopes of eliminating the organizations ability to regulate the markets and protect consumers. Why do these members of Congress want to eliminate the Bureau? What can you do to protect it? Click here for more.
Recall: GE Food Processors
Do you own a General Electric (GE) food processor? After receiving reports of fires and burnt fingertips, Walmart is recalling 14-cup GE-branded processors sold from September 2009 through February 2011 for $50. Walmart is asking consumers to immediately stop using the processors and return them for a full refund. To read about the recall, Click here for more.
Your Money
How much is your take-home pay as a salaried employee? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
State arbitration act allows easier judicial review. The Texas Supreme Court paved the way for easier judicial review of arbitration awards decided under the Texas General Arbitration Act (TAA). The court decided the TAA does not preclude an agreement for judicial review of an arbitration award for reversible error. The court also found that the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) does not pre-empt enforcement of such an agreement. "[W]e hold that the TAA presents no impediment to an agreement that limits the authority of an arbitrator in deciding a matter and thus allows for judicial review of an arbitration award for reversible error." Click here for more.