Consumer Law

Spam—a Lot

Networking sites spur another look at bogus e-mails

Mar 1, 2010 9:49 AM CST

Wielding Sealed TRO, Microsoft Shuts Down 270+ Web Addresses in Ex Parte Botnet Battle

In a litigation tactic that reportedly has never been tried before to combat a global malicious software attack, Microsoft Corp. won a sealed temporary restraining order in an ex parte “John Doe” federal court action in Virginia this week. It allowed the company to shut down, without prior notice to…

Feb 25, 2010 9:47 PM CST

Lawyer Whose Son Choked to Death on Hot Dog Fights for Warning Labels

A New Jersey lawyer whose 4-year-old son choked to death on a hot dog nine years ago has pushed for better labels on foods that pose choking hazards. Now Oscar Mayer and some other food makers have added warning labels, but more needs to be done, according to the crusading…

Feb 25, 2010 11:59 AM CST

Suit Says Yelp Runs ‘Extortion Scheme,’ Asks for Ad Money to Modify Bad Reviews

The operators of a popular Internet customer review site for restaurants and small businesses have been sued by two law firms alleging unfair business practices and an “extortion scheme.” Yelp, the suit alleges, has its employees “call businesses demanding monthly payments, in the guise of ‘advertising contracts,’ in exchange for…

Feb 24, 2010 11:19 PM CST

Feds Launch Toyota Criminal Probe as SEC Scrutinizes Investor Disclosures

In the latest blows to Toyota Motor Corp.’s once-sterling reputation, federal authorities have announced a criminal probe of automotive safety issues and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into the company’s disclosures to investors concerning unintended acceleration problems. Announcing these developments yesterday, Toyota gave few details and it’s…

Feb 24, 2010 1:52 AM CST

House Panel Wants Ex-Toyota Lawyer to Turn Over Damaging Documents

A House committee has subpoenaed thousands of internal documents from a former Toyota lawyer who claims the automaker concealed evidence from courts and regulators. The subpoenaed documents have been the subject of bitter legal battles between Toyota and former lawyer Dimitrios Biller, the McClatchy-Tribune News Service reports. Biller’s lawyer, Jeffrey…

Feb 19, 2010 1:31 PM CST

Global Hack Attack Hit 2,500 Corp and Gov’t Targets & May Be Ongoing, NetWitness Says

In a claimed international hack attack that apparently dwarfs the recent alleged China-based intrusion into the computer systems at more than 20 companies, including Google, a coordinated operation based in China and Europe reportedly broke into some 75,000 computers in 196 countries over the past 18 months. According to security…

Feb 18, 2010 7:00 PM CST

Pinot Not: 12 Convicted in Scheme to Substitute Cheaper Grapes in Wine

Wine drinkers take note—that Gallo Pinot Noir you have in your collection may be a fake. A French court has convicted 12 people in a scheme to substitute Merlot and Syrah grapes for the thin-skinned Pinot Noir grape, the Associated Press reports. Among those convicted were wine growers, wine merchant…

Feb 18, 2010 3:38 PM CST

Mortgage-Rescue Meltdown: Calif. Probes 400 Lawyers, Fields 30 Complaints Daily

Amidst the mortgage meltdown, a stunning number of lawyers reportedly may be taking advantage of desperate homeowners by accepting thousands of dollars in fees from individuals while doing little or no work to save their homes. The California Bar is probing more than 400 lawyers in such cases, and is…

Feb 16, 2010 7:31 PM CST

No Warrant Needed to Track User’s Cell Phone Location, DOJ Tells 3rd Cir. Panel

By obtaining information about which cell tower routed calls from a cell phone user, authorities have been able to link suspects to crime scenes. But, in oral arguments today before a federal appellate panel in Philadelphia, the government contended that no warrant is required to get such information about a…

Feb 12, 2010 9:56 PM CST

As Bank Takes Possession of Home, Couple Argues, to No Avail, ‘We Paid Cash,’ Suit Says

As mortgage foreclosures continue to surge throughout the nation, there’s at least one case that should never have been filed, a Massachusetts couple says. It concerns their future retirement home in Florida, for which, they say, they paid their life savings, in cash. Although there was no mortgage at all…

Feb 12, 2010 8:49 PM CST

Complex Toyota Case Could Rival Tobacco Litigation, Plaintiffs Lawyers Predict

Plaintiffs lawyers are predicting that what has the potential to be the largest-ever automotive products liability case will result in a complex federal action equivalent to tobacco litigation. It may not be easy to prove the diminished-value claims being asserted in perhaps 30 of the more than 40 would-be class…

Feb 12, 2010 7:53 PM CST

Radio Host in Contempt Case Urges Fans to E-Mail Court; Federal Judge Is Not Pleased

Updated: Facing a new ruling from U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman, after a federal appeals court instructed him to reconsider an earlier $37.6 million contempt sanction, infomercial pitchman Kevin Trudeau apparently thought the judge might take note of praise from his fans for his books. And Gettleman clearly did. Finding…

Feb 12, 2010 1:15 AM CST

Plaintiffs Lawyers from Over 20 Firms Ask Federal Court to Consolidate Toyota Case

Plaintiffs attorneys from nearly two dozen law firms are asking a federal court in California to consolidate litigation throughout the country over alleged defects in Toyota automobiles into a single complex multi-district case. A hearing will take place in federal court in San Diego next month to decide how to…

Feb 11, 2010 1:07 AM CST

Toyota Answers 1st of 41 Class Actions, Says Case Should Be Dismissed

Responding to the first of at least 41 class action lawsuits alleging sudden acceleration issues in its automobiles, Toyota Motor Corp. has asked a federal judge in Los Angeles judge to dismiss the case. Four of the plaintiffs suffered no “legally cognizable injuries in connection with the alleged defects,” the…

Feb 10, 2010 6:24 PM CST