| Volume 107 Number 2 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
In Texas, your landlord cannot just throw you out, even if you don't pay rent. A landlord may change the locks on your door but must make a key available to you 24 hours a day. To evict you, he must go to court.
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McDonald's Giving Away Food For Love
From February 2 to February 14, McDonalds is trying out a new form of payment. Instead of accepting money for a meal purchase, McDonalds locations will be accepting selfies, high-fives, and hugs.
According to a McDonalds representative, "from selfies, hugs to high fives - we have a bunch of fun ways to express your Lovin'."
Customers will be informed prior to the completion of the transaction as to whether they've been randomly selected to get a free meal.
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Best Resale Value Cars
Are you in the market for a new car? One factor that should be considered when you buy a car is what it'll be worth when you decide to sell it. That is, which vehicles are best at holding their value?
Subaru, Lexus, Toyota, and Chevrolet all make the list multiple times in multiple categories. Surprisingly, Subaru takes top honors for compact, compact sport, and midsize cars.
While Lexus dominates the luxury models, Mercedes makes a surprising appearance as the best luxury compact SUV for retaining value with its impressive GLK.
Before you buy your next vehicle, find out which ones are best at holding value.
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FTC Settles Charges Over Unlimited Plans
TracPhone, the largest provider of prepaid mobile phone service, has entered into a $40 million with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations it deceived consumers by promising "unlimited" data.
TracPhone operates under many brands, including Straight Talk, Net10, Simple Mobile, and Telcel America. The FTC complaint alleges that since 2009, TracPhone sold monthly unlimited prepaid plans at $45 per month. However, after a certain threshold, TracPhone would dramatically reduce mobile data speeds.
According to director of the FTC's Consumer Protection Bureau, "The issue here is simple: when you promise consumers ‘unlimited,’ that means unlimited."
Consumers who had an unlimited plan prior to January 2015 can visit http://www.ftc.gov/prepaidphones to file a claim for a refund.
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Your Money
Estimate capital gain taxes due on your transactions!
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For the Lawyers
Debtor generally is not required to show intentional or knowing violation under Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and may assert claim without first disputing the debt.
The Fourth Circuit held that a consumer does not have to first dispute her debt to maintain an action under the FDCPA. The court also held that a debt collector’s letter stating an account had not been satisfied when the debt had been fully paid was false on its face and misrepresented to character, amount, and legal status of the debt, in violation of the FDCPA.
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