| Volume 24 Number 1 |
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It is official, with this edition of The People's Lawyer's Consumer News Alert we have reached our two year anniversary. Please forward the alert to friends and relatives who you think might like it and encourage them to sign up.Click here for more.
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Homeowner's insurance covers much more than you might think. But insurance is a contract and you must read it carefully. Was your laptop stolen out of your car? Read you policy, you may be covered for this loss.
Closing Credit Card Dings Credit Score
Most savvy consumers know about the FICO score -- the three-digit number that companies use to determine interest rates. Even though Fair Isaac has published the main factors that affect FICO credit scores, many still wonder what will happen to their credit scores if they cancel credit cards or sign up for new ones. Click here for more.
Writing off Worthless Stock
Sitting down with your tax return can be a painful reminder of investments gone bad. But remember, in most cases you can't deduct a loss on a stock unless you "realized" it by selling the misbehaving shares before the end of the year. The IRS just doesn't want to hear about your "paper" losses. But there is an exception to that rule. Click here for more.
Mobile Phone Monogamy
You can use your mobile phone to surf the Internet, listen to music, do banking, use GPS, send text messages, and talk from almost anywhere in the country save an airplane. So why pay for a landline phone that can only be used at home and face the hassle of changing the number if you relocate? Click here for more.
Insurers' Profits in Texas Prompt Calls For Lower Rates
Texas insurers were virtually untouched by the slowing economy in 2007 as they recorded one of their most profitable years of the decade, prompting new calls for tougher state action on homeowner rates. Click here for more.
Your Money
How do I maximize returns on my CDs? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Seeking filing fee from debtor may violate Fair Debt Act. A federal District Court has ruled that a law firm may be liable under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for seeking a filing fee in addition to an arbitration award on a credit card debt, even though the firm later withdrew its request for the fee. Click here for more.