| Volume 67 Number 8 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Never give your social security number to someone you do not know. Identity theft requires a social security number. Protect yours. Click here for more.
Beware: Gadhafi-Related Scams
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is dead. Authorities are already concerned that online scam artists are prepared to seize the moment by taking advantage of people looking for news on his death. Beware! Viruses can be attached to photos, videos, and many other media formats available on the internet. Be very careful when attempting to view video footage unless it is from a trusted source. As always, make sure your computer's security software is up-to-date. Click here for more.
Bagged Salad Recall for Salmonella
Taylor Farms Retail has issued a recall for more than 3,000 bags of salad after a random test on a package of spinach turned up a possible samonella contamination. The affected product was sold as Fresh Selections, HEB, Marketside and Taylor Farms (Romaine Blend, Asian Salad, Caesar Salad and Spring Mix). Consumers who purchased the bagged salad are urged to call 1-877-323-7374. To read about this recall, Click here for more.
Millions Mistakenly Take Tax Credit
More than two million Americans received an education tax credit last year, despite not meeting the qualifications to receive the credit. The federal government estimates the errors cost the taxpayers $3.2 billion. According to the IRS, most of the people who erroneously received the tax credit failed to provide "supporting documentation that these taxpayers had attended an eligible institution." Did you receive the tax credit in error? What now? Click here for more.
Your Money
Calculate your monthly budget with this home budget calculator! Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Home lender may recover attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with a borrower’s Chapter 13 bankruptcy case. The Fifth Circuit held that a lender could recover attorneys’ fees pursuant to the terms of a deed of trust. The lender contended that it was entitled to its attorney fees based on language in the deed of trust providing that the “lender may do and pay for whatever is reasonable or appropriate to protect lender’s interest in the property and rights under this security instrument.” The court stated that, “In light of this language, it is clear that the deed of trust contemplates entitlement to attorney’s fees incurred to protect Countrywide’s interest in the property or rights under the deed of trust.” Click here for more.