| Volume 63 Number 12 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Immediately review your bank statements and returned checks for forgeries. Promptly report any problems to your bank. A short delay may cost you your legal rights. Click here for more.
Airlines Score Low in Customer Satisfaction
Of the forty-seven industries evaluated by the Consumer Satisfaction Index, the airline industry came in last in consumer satisfaction. Bag fees play a big role in why consumers aren't happy with the industry. Of course, consumers are happiest when they feel like they're getting the best bang for their buck. Southwest Airlines scores highest among the airlines. Can the airline industry change its image? Click here for more.
Online Anonymity: Painful and Priceless
For years, if you took to the internet to interact, you could be anonymous. Is that still the case? Many websites now allow you to log-in using Facebook, Google, or Yahoo accounts, which generally tie you directly to any comments you make online. Despite the recent trend, there are still plenty of people out there pretending to be someone they're not. Recently, a popular blog operator was exposed as a fraud, but only after for several years of politically and socially controversial posts. As a result, some fear laws disallowing anonymous speech may be on the way. Of course, many feel online exchanges would be kinder and more honest if people were required to use their real names. Should internet users be concerned? Click here for more.
Sega Cyber Attack Affects 1.3 Million
Last week, Japanese video game giant Sega Corp. announced sensitive information belonging to 1.3 million users had been stolen from its database. Although credit card information was reportedly safe, names, emails, birthdays, and passwords were all compromised. The Sega hack is just the latest in a recent string of high profile cyber attacks. In the past few months, Sony, Citigroup, and other major companies have dealt with security breaches that left consumers concerned about online account safety. Were you a victim on the latest cyber attack? Click here for more.
Your Money
How does inflation affect your standard of living? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Use of Social Security number with owner’s permission may still constitute identity theft. The Eighth Circuit held that even though the defendant had permission to use another person's Social Security number, his use of it qualifies as use "without lawful authority" under federal law, and constitutes identity theft. Click here for more.