| Volume 103 Number 4 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Federal law prohibits a debt collector from calling you at work, but only after he knows your employer prohibits such calls. If a debt collector calls you at work, let him know that your employer does not allow such calls and that you assume he will never call again. If the debt collector calls back, he has violated federal law and you could be entitled to a penalty of up to $1,000.
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How to Get $10 Refund from Red Bull
Did you purchase a Red Bull drink from 2002 to October 3, 2014? If so, you're entitled to a settlement.
You can either have $10 cash or $15 in Red Bull products.
It only takes a few seconds and doesn't require any receipts. Fill out your claim form
here. If the official link doesn't work, the Consumerist breaks down alternative methods.
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Walmart Cuts Insurance for Part Timers
On Tuesday, Walmart announced that it will eliminate health insurance coverage for part time employees who work less than 30 hours per week. According to Walmart, the move was of financial necessity. Citing rising health care costs, a Walmart executive said of the decision, "expenses were significant and led us to make some tough decisions."
Despite the cuts to part time health care, Walmart still reduced estimated earnings per share, again citing the rising cost of health care.
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Hackers Breach Dairy Queen Systems
On Thursday, popular fast food restaurant Dairy Queen revealed that it may be the latest victim of mass security breach. According Dairy Queen, hackers may have accessed consumer names, credit and debit card numbers, and expiration dates from 395 of its stores between August and October.
When was the last time you had Dairy Queen? Is your information safe?
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Your Money
Do you want to accelerate your debt payoff? Trying this calculator!
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For the Lawyers
Class action settlement attorney's fee award unacceptable.
The Seventh Circuit disapproved a negotiated attorney's fee award in a class action under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. Under the terms of the settlement, each class member who responded positively was to receive a $10 coupon that could be used at any RadioShack store. The face value of all the coupons was $830,000.
RadioShack was to pay class counsel $1 million. The Seventh Circuit reevaluated the value of the settlement to class members and the benefits of costs incurred and, noting Radio Shack's fragile financial condition, stated "A renegotiated settlement will simply shift some fraction of the exorbitant attorneys' fee awarded class counsel in the existing settlement that we are disapproving to the class members."
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