| Volume 128 Number 10 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Do business with companies you know or that come recommended by those you trust. Check out companies with the Better Business Bureau before making major purchases. Click here for more.
AT&T and Time Warner Agree to Merge
Over the weekend, AT&T proposed to buy Time Warner for about $85 billion. If the deal goes through it will be one of the largest media mergers ever. However, the federal government still has to approve the sale and will likely review the deal under tough scrutiny. Time Warner is home to HBO and CNN. Media companies have been pressured to merge with the rise of Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime, which are hurting traditional cable companies. Critics say that the deal would threaten innovation and freedom of information for consumers. Click here for more.
Your Money
If you were billed on your credit card statement for merchandise you never received, federal law may help you. Two federal laws — the Mail, Internet or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule and the Fair Credit Billing Act — offer protections and procedures so you don’t have to pay for merchandise you ordered but never got. Before utilizing your protections under the law, first try to resolve your problem with the seller. If that does not work, then under law most items bought by mail, phone, fax, or online must be shipped by the time stated in its ads or on the phone. If the seller is unable to ship within that time, it must notify you, give you a new shipping date, and give you the chance to cancel for a full refund. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Court refuses to certify a class action based on alleged late filing of mortgage satisfaction. Citing Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins, 136 S. Ct. 1540, 1548 (2016), the Eleventh Circuit held that, because the lead plaintiff did not allege the violations actually caused him any harm or could do so, he lacked standing to sue. Thus, the Court lacked subject matter jurisdiction. Nicklaw v. CitiMortgage, Inc (11th Cir. 2016). Click here for more.