The People's Lawyer Consumer News Alert
Center for Consumer Law
  Volume 81 Number 6

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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day

If you do not have a will, the law writes one for you. For example, if you are married and have children from another marriage, your children and their step-mother may share your property after your death. The best way to make sure your property goes to whom you want after your death is to have a will. A will can also avoid time and expense when it comes to probate.



For more general information about the law, check out my website. Click here for more.


Suspicious Government Logos

If you receive something in the mail that includes a government logo, it doesn't mean it is legitimate government correspondence.



Be suspicious!



Many scammers take advantage of unsuspecting or trusting consumers by using government marks to get into their wallets. Recently, two mortgage loan modification operations have drawn the ire of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for using government logos to (wrongly) convince consumers of a government affiliation.



How can you spot a scam?

 Click here for more.


Consumer Index Drops As Gas Prices Fall

For the first time in six months, the CPI (Consumer Price Index) fell after months of climbing. The CPI dropped by 0.3% for November, making it the most dramatic decline in consumer prices since May. Interestingly enough, food prices actually increased by 0.2%. According to industry analysts, the drop corresponds with the largest drop in gasoline prices since December 2008.



How much have gasoline prices dropped? Will the CPI continue to decline?  Click here for more.


Hassle-Free Holiday Gift Returns

Holiday shopping can be a risky venture. With many purchasing gifts far in advance, return policies can be tricky.



What if you lose your receipt?



Does the store offer extended holiday returns?



If you purchased a gift online, will you have to pay to ship it back?



For a list of sites and stores with the best holiday return policies, Click here for more.


Your Money

What are the cost of living between cities?  Click here for more.


For the Lawyers

Significant motion practice without any discovery waives arbitration. The Third Circuit held that if the party seeking arbitration has engaged in significant motion practice, regardless of whether any discovery was exchanged, the right to compel arbitration has been waived. Click here for more.

 

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