| Volume 77 Number 2 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Your landlord may have an obligation to make repairs to your apartment, but you must first give him written notice. To see what rights you have as a tenant, Click here for more.
Americans Without Emergency Savings
Did you know that 28% of all Americans have no emergency savings? In the event of emergency, the general rule is to have enough money to cover six months of expenses. Although that may seem like a lot, medical emergencies, sudden unemployment, and unexpected expenses can result in financial ruin.
While incomes remain largely stagnant and consumer expenses continue to rise, long term savings may seem like a daunting task. However, it is possible, and may keep you afloat during a time of need. Click here for more.
Online Poker Sites Settle With DOJ
In April of 2011, Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars, and several other online gambling sites had their domains seized by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. In many instances, user accounts were frozen, leaving many completely unable to access their funds. The Department of Justice later brought a slew of charges against the companies, including allegations of running Ponzi schemes, bank fraud, and money laundering. On Tuesday, the Department of Justice announced a $731 million settlement with Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars to resolve the charges. To read about the settlement and the distribution of funds, Click here for more.
Free Women's Health Benefits Start
The latest part of the Affordable Care Act kicked in on Wednesday, marking a monumental day for women's health. Under the law, women will no longer be required to pay for a number of important health services, Pap smears and mammograms. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 47 million women between the ages of 15 and 64 have health insurance plans that fall under the new guidelines. Click here for more.
Your Money
How much do you need to reach your retirement goal? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Law firm’s validation notice does not violate Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The Ninth Circuit held that a validation notice sent by a law firm that implied notice had to be in writing did not violate the FDCPA. The court concluded that a validation notice violates §1692g(a)(3) only by expressly requiring a consumer to dispute a debt in writing. “We hold that [the firm’s] notice does not violate §1692g(a)(3) of the FDCPA by impermissibly requiring [the plaintiff] to dispute her debt in writing. The notice does not expressly state such a requirement. Assuming without deciding that the notice could be understood to imply a writing requirement, that implication is part of the statute itself. Such an implicit requirement does not violate §1692g(a)(3).” Click here for more.