| Volume 116 Number 2 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Have you checked your credit report recently? Since the law requires that each of the three major credit reporting companies provide you a free credit report once a year, it is a good idea to order a free report from one of the agencies every four months to make sure that your credit report is accurate and that no one is trying to steal your identity. But watch out, because many for-profit websites offering you "free" credit reports will try to charge you for the report you can get yourself for free. This link from the Federal Trade Commission will show you how to get the free report. Click here for more.
Bank Fees Hit Record Highs
A recent Bankrate.com study indicates that ATM and overdraft fees have hit an all time high. Further, it is getting harder and harder to get a "free" checking account, with a record low of only 37% of non-interest bearing checking accounts carrying no fee. As banks fees rise, it is important to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal you can. Click here for more.
Your Money
Are you buying a home? If so, you should know that new mortgage application rules went into effect Saturday. While the new rules are supposed to make it easier for consumers to compare loan offers, in the short term it may take longer for lenders to process loan applications as they get used to the new rules. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
California Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims could not be waived or sent to mandatory individual arbitration. The Ninth Circuit, consistent with a 2014 California Supreme Court decision, ruled that PAGA claims are not subject to mandatory arbitration and that the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA")did not preempt the state law because the PAGA did not conflict with the purposes of the FAA. Sakkab v. Luxottica Retail North America, Inc., (9th. Circuit, 2015) Click here for more.