| Volume 143 Number 63 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
After nearly three months of stay-at-home orders, America is starting to open up again. Contact tracers, the folks who work for state health departments to try to track anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19, are an important part of our road to recovery. But some scammers are pretending to be contact tracers so they can profit off of the current confusion. Click here for more.
American Airlines to begin fully booking flights starting July 1
American Airlines announced Friday that it will sell tickets for every seat on its planes beginning July 1. Previously, the airline was filling its aircraft up to 85 percent capacity in an effort to promote social distancing amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The airline said it has enhanced its cleaning procedures and will require passengers to wear face coverings while on board. The company previously said it would deny boarding to customers who don’t comply with the rule.
American will be asking travelers whether they have experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past two weeks. Online and airport check-in kiosks will include a symptom checklist. The company said it will notify customers if their flight will be full and allow them to switch to less crowded flights at no extra cost through September 30. Click here for more.
Your Money
The latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the economy continues to shed jobs in high numbers. The number of permanent job losses rose again, adding 295,000 more people to the ranks of this segment of the unemployed in May, reaching 2.3 million. Whether you've lost your job already or are understandably worried about that possibility as the global coronavirus pandemic wears on, a prudent step is to boost key professional skills that can make you more employable in the current job market. And since money may be an issue in uncertain times, finding free ways to obtain training and certifications should be at the top of your list. Certificate programs can lead to high-paying jobs – so if you don't have to pay for a certification, it's a real opportunity. Check out the 10 free online certifications below that can help secure your professional skill set and advance your career. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Costs available to a prevailing party under FDCPA do not include any form of damages. The Seventh Circuit found that the “costs” the Act contemplates are simply those awardable under Rule 54(d). The panel found that a statute must set forth a standard for awarding costs that is different from Rule 54(d)(1) to displace the rule, and Sec. 1692k(a)(3) did not. Norman Peck v. IMC Credit Services No. 19-3187 Click here for more.