| Volume 95 Number 10 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
How do you know if something is fact or "urban legend"?
The next time someone tells you about an easy way to make a lot of money, get free gift certificates or secret codes for withdrawing money from an ATM, chain-letters that work, strange effects from everyday products, or anything else that just doesn't seem right, check it first!
Do you already have a story you want to research? See if it checks out!
Click here for more.
American Eliminates Bereavement Fares
Years ago, if a family member died, some airlines would offer you a discounted rate to get to the funeral. Called "bereavement travel," airlines were seen as sympathetic to real-life consumer problems, allowing them to avoid the high costs often associated with last minute air travel. When the Internet allowed consumers to easily compare rates and shop around, many airlines did away with bereavement rates.
One of the few remaining airlines to offer bereavement fares, American Airlines, just announced it will no longer provide such discounts. The change in policy comes as the airline is expected to merge with US Airways.
Have a death in your family? What can you do to save on last-minute travel?
Click here for more.
Right & Wrong Time for Security Freeze
Have you been the victim of identity theft? Do you have reason to believe your social security number has been stolen?
If so, you should consider putting a security freeze on your credit file.
Was your credit card information compromised in one of the recent large-scale retail server breaches?
If so, a security freeze might not be the right course of action.
A security freeze should be used when you have reason to believe someone may open, or has opened, a new account using your credit history. However, when current credit card information has been stolen, you haven't necessarily been exposed to the kind of identity theft that would warrant a security freeze.
A security freeze will prevent criminals from using your personal information to open new accounts. However, it will also make it much more difficult for you to open new, legitimate credit accounts. Whether you're in the market for a new house, or simply want to take advantage of that new account discount at Banana Republic, a security freeze will make such activities much more difficult.
Is a security freeze right for you?
Click here for more.
Your Money
Are you planning to buy a home? Find out how closing costs impact the interest rate!
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For the Lawyers
Arbitration agreement providing for NAF rule is still enforceable.
The Seventh Circuit compelled arbitration even though the parties’ loan agreement provided for “binding arbitration by one arbitrator by and under the Code of Procedure of the National Arbitration Forum [NAF],“ notwithstanding that the NAF had not accepted consumer cases since July of 2009. The district court had refused to compel arbitration, finding the NAF was an “integral part of the agreement” and without it the arbitration agreement was void. Noting a circuit split in which the 3rd and 11th Circuits have compelled arbitration, despite selection of the NAF, while the 5th Circuit has declared agreements calling for the NAF unenforceable, the 7th Circuit sided with those compelling arbitration. The decision engaged in a lengthy analysis suggesting that the line of cases finding one aspect of an arbitration clause “integral” contradicts Section 5 of the FAA and does not come from a general state law principle allowable under Section 2.
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