| Volume 66 Number 4 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Do you haggle? The price of almost everything you buy, including medical services, is usually negotiable. When it comes to any larger purchase, don't be afraid to ask for a better price. Click here for more.
Emergency: Prepare to Leave in 5 Minutes
Fires, hurricanes, earthquakes and other emergencies can creep up on you with little warning. In some emergency situations, you'll have less than five minutes to gather your things and leave your home. A recent study by GE found that 64% of American families aren't prepared if emergency strikes. If you have five minutes to act, what would you take with you? Be prepared! Click here for more.
How 9/11 Changed the Airline Industry
Remember the days when you could see off a family member at the airport's departing gate? Or, when you could get through security without hassling with your belt, shoes, liquids, or computer? For those who travel frequently, these are some of the more obvious changes since September 11, 2001. But what about some of the more subtle changes? See how the airline industry has evolved since the worst terrorist attack in United States history. Click here for more.
Savings: Alternatives to Cable TV
Nearly 90% of United States households subscribe to a multi-channel video service like cable or satellite. The services can be expensive, especially for consumers on tight budgets. With new offerings available over the internet, some consumers are finding cheaper alternatives to their cable provider. Interested in some budget friendly alternatives to cable TV? Look no further. Click here for more.
Your Money
Calculate the advantages of a 529 college savings plan. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Consumer is not limited to single recovery of statutory damages under Fair Credit Billing Act. The Ninth Circuit held that a plaintiff wasn’t limited to a single recovery of statutory damages for multiple violations of the Fair Credit Billing Act. Chase Bank admittedly committed multiple violations of the Fair Credit Billing Act by misidentifying a $645 charge on the plaintiff’s credit card account, failing to respond to her requests for information about it, continuing to seek payment for the charge despite her protests and reporting the debt as delinquent to credit agencies. When the plaintiff sued, Chase argued that her damages were limited to the $1,000 statutory penalty because §1640(g) expressly limits recovery for multiple violations where the violations involved “multiple failures to disclose.” But the court decided that the §1640(g) did not limit the plaintiff’s statutory damages. Click here for more.