| Volume 17 Number 10 |
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Texas Consumer Complaint Center
Credit Reports and Identity Theft
Your Guide to Small Claims Court
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1-713-743-2168
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Under the new law you can sue in Texas Small Claims Court for up to $10,000 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 cases, once the other person knows you know your legal rights and will assert them, they quickly try to settle the dispute.
Consumers Score the Right to Freeze Credit
In a major reversal, TransUnion, one of the Big Three credit bureaus, says it will allow individuals in all 50 states to freeze their credit histories. The service, which goes into effect Oct. 15, is a big victory for anyone who wants to be more proactive about preventing identity theft, consumer advocates say. Click here for more.
Government May Owe You Money
Check unclaimed property, credit unions, mortgage refunds, and more. Click here for more.
Questions and Answers on Debt Cancellation
If you borrow money from a commercial lender and the lender later cancels or forgives the debt, you may have to include the cancelled amount in income for tax purposes, depending on the circumstances. When you borrowed the money you were not required to include the loan proceeds in income because you had an obligation to repay the lender. When that obligation is subsequently forgiven, the amount you received as loan proceeds is reportable as income because you no longer have an obligation to repay the lender. Click here for more.
If You Win the Lottery, Municipal Bonds Would Work
If you win $10 million and invest properly, you could have more than enough money to sustain yourself and your heirs for a long time. Would you invest that entire sum in risky and unproven stocks and potentially lose it all? Probably not. Click here for more.
Your Money
Calculate your savings vs. national average. Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Debt collector and firm can be sued for improper venue. A U.S. District Court in Massachusetts has held that a debt collector and its law firm could be sued under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for filing a collection suit in an improper venue. Click here for more.