| Volume 14 Number 7 |
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Texas Consumer Complaint Center
Credit Reports and Identity Theft
Your Guide to Small Claims Court
Contact Us
1-713-743-2168
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
You can sue in Texas Small Claims Court for up to $5,000 and you do not need an attorney to assist you. Next time you get ripped-off, consider the real people¿s court. Small Claims Court is quick, informal and easy to use. In many case, once the other person knows you know your legal rights and will assert them, they quickly try to settle the dispute.
White-Collar Crime
Fraud "the art of deliberate deception for unlawful gain" is as old as history; the term "white-collar crime" was reportedly coined in 1939 by Professor Edwin Sutherland and has since become synonymous with the full range of frauds committed by business and government professionals. Today's con artists are more savvy and sophisticated than ever, engineering everything from slick online scams to complex stock and health care frauds. Here you can learn about the many white-collar crimes we investigate, how to protect yourself from common scams, and what to do if you think you've been victimized. Click here for more.
Don't Drain Wallet When Buying a Car
You're almost at the end of your car-buying odyssey. You've read the reports on your target vehicles and selected a model. You've spent hours haggling with a salesman. You've settled on a color with your spouse and on a price with the salesman, and you think you've got a good deal wrapped up. So you start to relax and reflect on how clever you are. Then they take you into the F&I office, and all of a sudden you're agreeing to overpriced undercoating, extended warranties, credit insurance and other extras that end up turning a good deal for you into a fleecing. Beware the extras in the F&I office. Click here for more.
Summer Travel Deals
These seasonal deals usually come with strings attached and fairly short deadlines. If you see something you like, be sure to do two things: read the fine print restrictions carefully, and if you're satisfied, book immediately. Click here for more.
Skipping insurance could cost renters
Most people who rent apartments, particularly younger people, don't obtain insurance to cover their belongings. Nearly two-thirds of the 81 million renters in the United States said they don't have a policy, according to a survey last year by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. This could prove to be a costly mistake if your property is damaged, destroyed or stolen. When weighing whether you can afford it, consider whether you have enough spare cash to replace your things if they are destroyed or stolen. Do you have someplace to live if your apartment becomes uninhabitable? Can you afford to pay for your downstairs neighbor's repairs if you let your tub overflow? Renters often have many misconceptions about renter's insurance. Click here for more.
Your Money
How much can I borrow on a home purchase? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Supreme Court rules in Fair Credit Act case. The United States Supreme Court has held that a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act is willful if it resulted from reckless disregard of a consumer's rights under the Act -- a plaintiff need not present proof the credit entity knew it was acting illegally. Click here for more.