| Volume 65 Number 11 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Extended warranties, or service contracts, are usually not a good buy or even necessary. Stores make a large profit selling these contracts and often pressure consumers into buying them. Take your time and think carefully before you buy an expensive item that you don't even need. Click here for more.
Wells Fargo Eliminates Debit Card Rewards
Earlier this year, Wells Fargo eliminated its reward program for new consumers. Beginning in October, it will be eliminating the program for existing consumers as well. In exchange for a $12 annual fee, the bank would give "points" to consumers for every $4 spent using the debit card. Once the reward program ends, consumers will no longer be charged the $12 fee. Consumers should still be able to access their points, although they will no longer be able to rack up new points. Click here for more.
Ford & Toyota Team Up for Large Hybrids
Two of the world's largest sellers of gasoline-electric vehicles, Ford and Toyota, have decided to team up to develop hybrid large-model vehicles (including SUV and pickup trucks). The competitors will team up in response to stricter United States fuel economy guidelines, allowing the companies to combine resources in hopes of tripling output by 2013. What are the implications of a partnership between Ford and Toyota? Click here for more.
FTC: New Do Not Track Approach Needed
Almost every move you make on the internet is tracked. When you visit a website, your computer accepts a "cookie" that will track your behavior and report the results back to the provider. By tracking consumer behavior, companies can provide them with directed advertising. Although the practice has been common for years, many consumers feel like the tracking is too intrusive. As a result, the Federal Trade Commission has been looking in to new ways to regulate internet tracking. Will a "do-not-track" option be available in the future? Why would consumers lose free content with the introduction of "do-not-track" regulations? Click here for more.
Your Money
How much life insurance do you need? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Proof of valid chain of title is required before foreclosure. The Nevada Supreme Court decided two cases that recognize the requirement that there must be a valid assignment of the deed of trust and note to support a foreclosure. The court noted that "[v]alid assignments are needed when the beneficiary of a deed of trust seeks to foreclose on a property." Click here for more.