| Volume 22 Number 7 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
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 case, once the other person knows you know your legal rights and will assert them, they quickly try to settle the dispute.
Scammers Taking Advantage of New Federal Economic Stimulus Package
Texans should be aware of a scam that has emerged in connection with the federal economic stimulus package. Under recently passed legislation, the IRS will mail tax rebate checks to eligible Texans over the next few months. Several Texans recently filed complaints with the Office of the Attorney General after receiving unsolicited e-mails and telephone calls from purported IRS agents claiming that the taxpayers are eligible for "Bush refunds." The scammers demand taxpayers' Social Security and bank account numbers, claiming the IRS will use the information to directly deposit "rebate checks" into the taxpayers' accounts. Click here for more.
Top 5 Health Insurance Tips
Finding affordable health care is no easy feat -and it's not getting any easier. With overall premiums on the rise and employers pushing more of the expense onto employees, insurance costs for individuals are projected to jump 10% this year. The average employee already pays $694 in annual premiums for individual coverage, and $3,281 for family coverage. Tack on co-pays, deductibles and prescription drugs and the bill gets even bigger. Seeking out a less expensive plan is obviously the fastest way to cut your insurance costs. But if you're not cautious, you might end up sacrificing some important benefits. Click here for more.
Make Your Car Last 250,000 Miles
Small, routine steps taken throughout your vehicle's lifetime can save you headaches and a lot of money in the long run. Here's how to get the most out of your car. Click here for more.
Who Won't Be Getting Tax Rebate Check
As soon as lawmakers in Washington, D.C., began talking about tax rebate checks in January, two big questions arose: Who will get the money and how much will they get? Click here for more.
Your Money
Tax refund savings calculator Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
No Sovereign Immunity for DA Contractors. The 9th Circuit has held that private companies that run diversion programs administered by dozens of California district attorneys are now open to legal attack. It ruled that state sovereign immunity does not extend to a private contractor hired by the Santa Clara County DA's office to go after individuals who passed bad checks. Click here for more.