Consumer Law

‘Problem Solver’ Fails: Bank Says Wife with Power of Attorney Can’t Access Spouse Account Online

It seems like there should be a simple solution to Eva Kripke’s issue. But so far neither she nor the Bank of America nor the Chicago Tribune “Problem Solver” columnist has been able to figure out what it is. Kripke’s husband, Sidney, has dementia, so she handles his finances. She…

May 26, 2011 8:39 PM CDT

SEC Nixes Rule Requiring Whistle-Blowers Seeking Big Bucks to Start with Internal Corp. Complaint

Updated: In a 3-2 vote today, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nixed an effort to require whistle-blowers to complain directly to corporations before initiating enforcement action. Rejecting an appeal seeking to require whistle-blowers to go first to internal compliance entities, the SEC said incentives to report wrongdoing directly to…

May 25, 2011 7:15 PM CDT

Appeals Court Revives Lawyer’s Suit over Online Sexual Enhancement Pills

A lawyer who was dissatisfied with the sexual enhancement pills he bought over the Internet will be able to proceed with his lawsuit because of a favorable ruling by a New Jersey appeals court. Lawyer Harold Hoffman of Englewood will be able to sue in New Jersey, despite an online…

May 16, 2011 12:56 PM CDT

Lawsuit Alleges Fraud in Federal Bailout of AIG

The American International Group and four large banks engaged in a widespread and systematic fraud of U.S. taxpayers in connection with the federal bailout of the insurance giant during the financial crisis of 2008, according to a lawsuit unsealed April 28. The lawsuit (PDF), filed last September in federal district…

May 6, 2011 9:58 PM CDT

Suit Says Facebook Violates NY Law When Minors ‘Like’ Products Without Parents’ OK

A federal lawsuit filed today in Brooklyn, N.Y., contends Facebook Inc. is violating state advertising law by allowing minors to “like” products on the social networking site without getting parental permission. The action seeks damages under a state civil rights law that bans using an individual’s likeness for advertising purposes…

May 2, 2011 10:45 PM CDT

Supreme Court to Hear Arbitration Case re Consumer Rights Under Credit Repair Law

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a new arbitration dispute following a ruling last week siding with AT&T’s effort to enforce a class action waiver in a consumer contract. The Supreme Court granted cert today in a case based on the Credit Repair Organizations Act, the Associated Press…

May 2, 2011 3:33 PM CDT

Lawsuits Challenge Companies that Reject Applicants with Criminal Backgrounds

Several lawsuits are challenging corporate policies that bar the hiring of people with criminal backgrounds, with varying results. The suits follow an increase in criminal background checks, made possible by better Internet information and a proliferation of companies that do the screening, the New York Times reports. The suits are…

Apr 29, 2011 2:02 PM CDT

Colo. AG Sues Fla. Law Firm, Alleges Unauthorized Practice In Violation of Business Registration Law

The Colorado attorney general’s office has filed a lawsuit in state court over alleged unauthorized practice of law by a Florida attorney and his firm. It seeks a court order to prevent further “debt management” work on behalf of residents unless and until the firm complies with registration requirements. The…

Apr 28, 2011 9:26 PM CDT

Fla. AG Has No Power to Probe Law Firm Under Unfair Trade Practices Law, Appeals Court Rules

Finding that the Florida attorney general isn’t authorized to regulate a law firm under the state’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, a state appeals court has nixed an effort to seek information about a so-called foreclosure mill, Shapiro & Fishman. In its ruling today, however, the 4th District Court…

Apr 27, 2011 11:23 PM CDT

First Lawsuit Filed Over Sony PlayStation Data Breach Affecting Up to 75 Million Customers

After news yesterday that hackers may have obtained personal information, including credit card numbers, of up to 75 million Sony PlayStation Network customers comes news today of the first litigation over the incident. The Rothken Law Firm has filed a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of California on behalf…

Apr 27, 2011 8:09 PM CDT

Proposal to Make It a Crime to Buy a Fake Designer Bag in New York City Sparks Criticism

Chinatown is known for its cheap knockoffs of pricey designer handbags. But a New York City councilwoman whose district includes the neighborhood wants that to change. So Margaret Chin is planning to introduce a bill soon that would make it a crime, punishable by a $1,000 fine, to purchase a…

Apr 27, 2011 6:47 PM CDT

DUI Lawyer Sues Strip Club, Says He Was Too Drunk to Agree to Nearly $19K in Charges

A Florida lawyer known for his work on drunken-driving cases has sued a Miami strip club alleging that it charged nearly $19,000 on his credit card in November 2010 when he was too inebriated to enter into a contract. Mark Gold, who is pro se in the Miami Dade County…

Apr 27, 2011 5:18 PM CDT

LSAC Settles with Blind Advocacy Group, Will Modify Law School Application Website

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a settlement between an advocacy group for the blind and the Law School Admission Council, which has agreed to modify its website so that its Internet application process is accessible to those who cannot see. In a press release today, the DOJ discusses…

Apr 26, 2011 8:11 PM CDT

Justices to Consider if Ban on Sale of Computerized Prescription Records Violates First Amendment

Does a law that bars pharmacies from selling prescription information to drug marketers violate a right to free speech? The U.S. Supreme Court will consider that question in oral arguments Tuesday. Drugmakers use the information, which includes the patients’ age and sex but not their names, when their sales representatives…

Apr 26, 2011 10:30 AM CDT

Calif. AG Says ‘Tax Lady’ Attorney Should Be Jailed for Shredding Documents, Failing to Repay $435K

Updated: The state attorney general is calling for a California attorney known as the “tax lady” to be jailed for contempt of court, contending that Roni Deutch shredded as many as 2.7 million documents and failed to pay clients refunds totaling $435,000 in violation of a court order in a…

Apr 21, 2011 12:26 AM CDT