| Volume 131 Number 10 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
As a general rule, relatives and beneficiaries of someone who dies do not owe the deceased’s debts. If a debt collector contact you about paying the debts of some who dies, tell him to contact the executor of the estate. Click here for more.
Western Union settlement: $586 million in refunds
According to the FTC, Western Union has known for years that scammers were using its system to commit significant fraud. Even when faced with clear evidence that many of its agents were committing fraud, Western Union kept taking people’s money. Probably billions in fraud-related transfers, sent since January 2004. But today, in a global settlement with the FTC and the US Department of Justice, Western Union agreed to return $586 million to people and create a real and strong anti-fraud program.
Click here for more.
Your Money
The 2 Changes to 401(k)s in 2017 You Need to Know First, rising employer contribution limits could help high-income earners. While regular employee contribution limits remain unchanged in 2017, the employer contribution limit increased from $53,000 in 2016 to $54,000 in 2017. This also means self-employed workers who participate in solo 401(k) plans and who earn enough money to take advantage of the boost can contribute more in 2017. Second, higher income limits on Saver’s Credit for 401(k) contributions will help lower-income earners. In order to qualify for the Saver’s Credit, you have to fall within certain adjusted gross income limits, those limits for 2017 are $31,000 for single and married filing separately, $46,500 for head of household, and $62,000 for married filing jointly. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Non-party can enforce an arbitration clause in a TCPA case. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington allowed a defendant to enforce the arbitration provision in a TCPA plaintiff’s wireless agreements even though the defendant was not a party to the wireless agreements. Plaintiff filed suit against subway and its wireless carrier. The court concluded that equitable estoppel required enforcement of the arbitration agreement against the plaintiff where (1) the claims against Subway were intertwined with the wireless agreement, and (2) the plaintiff alleged interdependent conduct by the carrier and Subway. Rahmany, et al. v. T-Mobile USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:16-cv-01416-JCC (W.D. Wash. 2017) Click here for more.