| Volume 24 Number 12 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Never give your social security number to someone you do not know. Identity theft requires a social security number. Protect yours.
Is Eating Out Cheaper Than Cooking?
Americans are dining in restaurants more than ever, and with eateries trying to hold the line on prices, it's not necessarily a big money-saver to buy your own groceries. Click here for more.
What Drives Housing Cycles
It's no secret that the U.S. housing market is cyclical and in the midst of yet another painful correction. The causes and characteristics of these cycles vary, at least in some respects, but the implications for homebuyers, home sellers and homeowners remain remarkably reliable as the cycles roll by. Click here for more.
Your Access to Free Credit Reports
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies " Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion " to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation's consumer reporting companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, enforces the FCRA with respect to consumer reporting companies. Click here for more.
How to Spot a Fake Anything
Once you've caught the online shopping bug, it's easy to be enticed by extremely low prices for designer goods. It's safe to bet that a steal on an expensive product sold secondhand may very well be legit, but when brand-new designer products are discounted down to nearly nothing, the chances of the item being fake are high. Here are some tips to spot signs of a sham before spending your savings on counterfeit goods. Click here for more.
13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill
Forgoing the family road trip will spare you from getting dinged by sky-high gas prices this summer, but staying at home in the air-conditioned comfort of your living room may not result in the cost savings you expected. Click here for more.
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For the Lawyers
Consumer must prove actual error to sue credit agency. The 1st circuit has ruled that a consumer who sued a credit reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act must prove that the credit report was actually inaccurate, not merely disputed. The weight of authority in other circuits indicates that without a showing that the reported information was in fact inaccurate, a claim brought under ยง 1681i must fail. Click here for more.