| Volume 25 Number 1 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Do not open email attachments you do not expect or do not recognize. If you receive a notice about your account, or your order, or your bill, and you think it is an error or you may have a problem, go directly to the company's website or call them. If you get an email without a company name, ignore it.
Stung by Complaints, Telecoms Stress Customer Service
Customer service problems in the telecommunications industry have been nearing legendary proportions -- last year's "angry 75-year-old Virginia woman attacks Manassas cable office with hammer" comes to mind. It's a challenge that telecommunications and cable companies are struggling to overcome as they compete for new subscribers paying $150 to $200 a month on average for phone, Internet and television services. Click here for more.
'Timing' Market Big Risk For First-Time Buyers
It's a real estate buyer's market in most areas of the country, but many would-be house purchasers -- especially first-timers -- remain on the sidelines, waiting for home prices to fall still further. They may be outsmarting themselves. Click here for more.
What Are the Odds?
If you live in the U.S., your chances of being killed by a tsunami are the same (or less!) than being taken out by an asteroid impact. Get a dose of reality as you see just what are the odds of random events happening to you, according to various sources. Click here for more.
Consolidating Student Loans at a Lower Rate Gets Tougher
In late 2005 Congress set a fixed rate of 6.8% for Stafford loans, the most popular kind of federal student loans. If you have federal loans issued after July 1, 2006, consolidating will no longer affect the interest you pay. That doesn't mean the benefits of loan consolidation have completely disappeared. Click here for more.
Your Money
Buy or lease your next car Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Attorneys' fees reduced based on size of recovery. the 11th Circuit has affirmed an award of reduced attorneys' fees in a debt collection case, noting that, "Having considered the amount and nature of damages awarded, the court may lawfully award low fees or no fees without reciting the 12 factors bearing on reasonableness." Click here for more.