Consumer Law

Wal-Mart Was Among Major Retailers Targeted in ‘05-‘06 Hack Attacks

Although it appears that no sensitive consumer data may have been stolen, Wal-Mart was among the major companies attacked by computer hackers in 2005 and 2006. Only a fortuitous server crash may have saved the giant retailer from joining the ranks of TJX, Dave & Buster’s and other companies, which…

Oct 13, 2009 4:48 PM CDT

‘Toxic Titles’ Make Mortgage Foreclosures a Lot More Complex

Already dealing with a deluge of mortgage foreclosures, courts in Massachusetts now have a new problem. And, although litigation over the issue is farther along there than in a number of other states, it’s a growing concern that is also affecting other properties throughout the country. So-called toxic titles created…

Oct 9, 2009 8:27 PM CDT

Law Firm Loses Debt Collection Case; Plaintiff’s Attorney to Seek 6-Figure Fee

A federal judge has ruled against a New York law firm in a hard-fought case over its debt-collection practices, finding after a bench trial that Upton Cohen & Slamowitz conducted a “superficial” review that didn’t meet the standard required for a collection letter from an attorney. Section 1692(e) of the…

Oct 8, 2009 7:12 PM CDT

FTC Bans Secret Swag Given to Bloggers & Celebrities for Testimonials

The golden era of undisclosed freebies may soon be over for bloggers and celebrities. Those who provide testimonials about products and services will now have to report, under new Federal Trade Commission rules that take effect on Dec. 1, the swag that they could formerly receive in secret. “For bloggers…

Oct 6, 2009 8:56 PM CDT

To Avoid E. Coli Issues With Hamburger, Some Suppliers Simply Don’t Test

Faced with the potential for a costly recall if their product is found to be contaminated with potentially deadly E. coli bacteria, some companies that supply the meat and fat from multiple sources that is often mixed together to create ground beef as cheaply as possible have found a simple…

Oct 5, 2009 10:53 PM CDT

Thou Shalt Not Sue

Mark and Sara Neill were deeply offended when a debt collector contacted them last fall over an unpaid $88 chiropractor’s bill.

Oct 2, 2009 2:40 AM CDT

Teen Wins $150K Over Amazon’s Kindle Clawback of Orwell E-Book

When Amazon eliminated a George Orwell book from users’ Kindles earlier this year, after discovering the electronic text had been sold without proper authorization, it also eliminated Justin Gawronski’s homework. His notes on the margins remained, but since the text of Nineteen Eighty-Four was gone they were undecipherable, reports the…

Oct 1, 2009 10:40 PM CDT

Tempted By Foreclosure Crisis, Some Lawyers Overcharge & Underwork

The foreclosure crisis has resulted in a lot of work for lawyers hired to try to help struggling owners hang onto their homes. But it has also resulted in a record number of complaints concerning claimed unscrupulous practices, some of which have already led to disciplinary action, according to a…

Oct 1, 2009 10:00 PM CDT

Minn. AG Sues Job Placement Firm for Alleged Fraud, Deceptive Trade Practices

The Minnesota Attorney General’s office has sued a job placement firm that charged fees of up to $4,500 and promised access to a hidden job market. The suit accused the Arthur Group of fraud and deceptive trade practices, the New York Times reports. The suit alleges the company used “bait…

Oct 1, 2009 12:35 PM CDT

$1.6B Needed to Fight ‘Justice Gap,’ LSC Report Says

A new report by the Legal Services Corp. finds that half the people who seek legal aid from LSC-funded programs are turned away, primarily because of a lack of resources. In raw numbers, nearly 1 million cases are turned away each year, according to a New York Times preview of…

Sep 30, 2009 3:35 PM CDT

Urgent Advisory: Remove Floor Mats on Eight Toyota & Lexus Models

As Toyota Motor Corp. plans a huge recall of some 3.8 million vehicles due to loose floor mats that could force the accelerator down, United States transportation officials say owners of eight Toyota and Lexus models manufactured in the last six years should immediately remove the driver’s-side floor mat. Officials…

Sep 29, 2009 10:45 PM CDT

Could Your New Facebook ‘Friend’ Be a Bill Collector?

There’s yet another reason to be concerned about online privacy, consumer advocates say—potential bill collectors. For those who have unpaid debts—and even those who don’t but are erroneously identified as owing money—a presence on Facebook and other social networking sites can make it easy for those seeking to collect to…

Sep 28, 2009 4:12 PM CDT

Google Voice Violates Net Neutrality By Blocking Some Calls, AT&T Accuses

In a letter today to the Federal Communications Commission, rival AT&T Inc. complains that Google Voice is violating the agency’s so-called net neutrality rules that apply to telecommunication companies by blocking calls to some rural areas to cut its own expenses. The new aggregation service by the online search giant…

Sep 25, 2009 9:28 PM CDT

Judge Gives $750K to Plaintiff’s Attorneys in Open Government Lawsuit

A Florida judge has awarded $750,000 in legal fees to the attorneys who pursued a hard-fought and much-watched citizen case that sought to hold officials in the town of Venice responsible for adhering to the requirements of state open government law. The city spent more than $600,000 to defend itself…

Sep 25, 2009 8:44 PM CDT

Judge OKs $24M Settlement Against Chrysler in Car Accident Death

A bankruptcy judge in New York has approved a $24 million settlement over a Chrysler longshoreman killed in a California auto accident. A Los Angeles Superior Court jury originally awarded a little more than $55 million to the family of 38-year-old Richard Mraz, who died of head injuries after he…

Sep 24, 2009 11:22 PM CDT