| Volume 69 Number 1 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Are you being unlawfully threatened or harassed by a debt collector? In some states, taping your telephone conversations is legal, and good proof that the debt collector has violated the law. Be careful! In some states, it is a criminal offense to record a conversation with only one consenting party. To see the law in your state Click here for more.
Dangerous Levels of Arsenic in Apple Juice
Consumer groups are saying the Food and Drug Administration is allowing too much arsenic in apple juice. Some natural arsenic can be found in water, air, food, and soil. Inorganic arsenic, like that found in pesticide, can be very toxic and can lead to cancer. The FDA currently measures toxicity as more than 23 parts per billion. Consumer groups say the FDA's standard for inorganic arsenic is too high. A study found that nine of 88 samples of apple juice from grocery stores had more arsenic than the EPA's standard for drinking water, but remained within FDA guidelines. Should you be concerned? Click here for more.
Mass. AG Sues Banks Over Foreclosures
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has filed suit against Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup and GMAC for illegal foreclosure and deceptive loan practices. The 59-page complaint alleges that the banks used fraudulent documentation and robo-signing, continued with foreclosures without holding the mortgage, and committed an overall failure to meet loan modification promises. Other AG offices are concerned about the possibility of a broad settlement. Why? Click here for more.
Your Money
What is your credit worthiness? Check out this credit risk assessment calculator. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Car dealer forfeited right to arbitrate class claims. A California Court of Appeals held that a car dealer forfeited its right to enforce an arbitration clause in its customer agreement when it responded to a putative class action for failing to adequately disclose finance charges. Click here for more.