| Volume 133 Number 1 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Do you shop online?It’s easy and sometimes faster than finding what you want at the local mall. That is, unless you clicked on an ad that was really a scam. Online ads that offer deals on luxury items at low prices can be part of a scheme to take your money and give you nothing in return. Always use a credit card, and read this, https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/some-online-deals-charge-dont-deliver?utm_source=govdelivery
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WikiLeaks releases 'chilling' documents on CIA snooping.
Your smart TV may be listening in on your conversations and vulnerabilities in your computer security software are going unrepaired because U.S. intelligence agencies find them useful. How consumers are affected? What U.S. consumers might find most interesting is the allegation that the spy agency has built a massive covert hacking program and malware arsenal that was deployed against many common communications devices, including Apple's iPhone, Google's Android, Microsoft's Windows, and even Samsung smart TVs.
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Your Money
What qualifies as nontaxable income? Here are 10 examples: (1) educational assistance from your boss; (2) adoption help from your employer; (3) payments for caring for children; (4) workers’ compensation; (5) life insurance proceeds; (6) carpooling; (7); energy conservation subsidies; (8) municipal bond earnings; (9) gifts; and (10) inheritances. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Communications regarding hazard insurance were not an attempt to collect a debt. Consumer alleged defendant violated the FDCPA via certain letters in which defendant stated that “because we did not have evidence that you had hazard insurance on your property, we bought hazard insurance on the property and added the cost to your mortgage loan account.” Defendant filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that its hazard insurance notices were not attempts to collect a debt and, therefore, “are not subject to the FDCPA.” The Court agreed holding that the context of the notices, which failed to include any statement of by when, how, and to whom the alleged debt must be paid, demonstrated that they were not sent in connection with the collection of any debt. Indeed, although the letter stated that defendant “is attempting to collect a debt,” it then stated, “if you are in bankruptcy or received a bankruptcy discharge of this debt, this letter is not an attempt to collect the debt.” Accordingly, the court dismissed plaintiff’s cause of action alleging violations of the FDCPA. Burns v. Seterus, Inc., (W.D.N.Y. Jan. 11, 2017). Click here for more.