| Volume 18 Number 6 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Don't think stopping payment on a check protects you from having to pay when a problem arises. If the check is transferred to another person, you probably will have to pay, even if you have a legitimate reason to not pay the person to whom you gave the check.
A Guide to Recouping Costs for Lost Baggage
Picking out your 22-inch black, wheeled suitcase amid the sea of black luggage riding on the airport baggage claim carousel has never been easy. But with lost baggage near historic highs, the chances of reuniting with your bag just got even slimmer. More than one million pieces of checked baggage were lost, delayed or damaged while in the care of U.S. airlines between the months of May and July,among the worst such period in 20 years, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, a division of the Department of Transportation. In July, for example, eight bags were lost for every 1,000 checked, double the loss rate in July 2002. Click here for more.
Chrysler to Recall 102K Sebrings, Avengers
Chrysler LLC is recalling 102,042 Dodge Avengers and Chrysler Sebring cars to examine cooling fan motor connectors that could cause fires. The recall affects Sebring and Avengers from the 2007 and 2008 model years that have 2.4-liter engines. Both are relatively new products, as the Sebring was significantly refreshed for the 2007 model year and the Avenger launched as a new product for the 2008 model year. Click here for more.
Use Credit Cards Wisely in College
As a new college student, you're probably aware of the plentiful student credit card offers available to you. Your dorm mailbox probably receives a few offers a week, and especially early in the semester, you're likely to find kiosks set up around campus offering a variety of freebies when you sign up for their card. While it can certainly be beneficial to have a credit card, there are some things to consider first. Click here for more.
Six Online Shopping Scams
Shopping online has its perks but security from shopping scams isn't one of them. Internet-related fraud accounted for 60% of all consumer complaints in 2006, according to the Federal Trade Commission's annual data roundup. (And that's up 5% from 2004.) In all, consumers lost a whopping $1.1 billion last year. Click here for more.
Sleazy Credit Card Tactics Under Fire
The Fed and Congress are considering changes that would make fine-print thievery illegal -- but they may need a little nudge from you. Click here for more.
Your Money
How long will my money last? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Suit over unsolicited faxes is governed by four-year federal statute of limitations. The California Court of Appeals has held that a consumer protection suit brought by a recipient of unsolicited fax advertisements isn't time-barred because it is subject to the federal "catchall" statute of limitations -- not a shorter state limitations period. Click here for more.