Consumer Law

Which presidential candidate will reign in ridiculous airport security?

Posted on September 04, 2008
I don’t know the answer. I don’t think John McCain or Barack Obama have much to say on the issue, but seriously, airport security is getting ridiculous. A bra underwire should not justify private screening (nor should a woman have to remove her bra to pass through security), and mothers should not have to surrender [...

Could government-subsidized financial advice prevent the next recession?

Posted on September 03, 2008
In a recent article for the Atlantic on the exuberantly optimistic investing that led to the housing meltdown, Yale economics professor Robert Shiller suggested that the government “should subsidize comprehensive financial advice for low- and middle-income Americans to help prevent bubbly thinking and financial overextension...

5 Legal Tips for Peace of Mind

Posted on September 02, 2008
5 Legal Tips for Peace of Mind | Zen Habits

CreditKarma.com Makes Free Credit Score More Like FICO?s

Posted on September 02, 2008
CreditKarma.com Makes Free Credit Score More Like FICO’s | Consumerist

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What To Do If You Find An Error On Your Credit Card Statement

Posted on September 02, 2008
What To Do If You Find An Error On Your Credit Card Statement | New York Consumer Litigation

No cash? No problem, if you barter

Posted on September 02, 2008
I think I’d rather pay with cash but if you are so inclined… No cash? No problem, if you barter | CNN.com

Debt collection reform pushed by the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Posted on September 01, 2008
Close on the heels of the Star Tribune article on Minnesota’s debt-friendly collection laws, the editorial staff urges reform of Minnesota’s unforgiving debt-collection laws. I agree. As I was quoted in the article by Kara McGuire and Randy Furst: “Once you’re in danger of losing money, I think the court should be on top of it...

Direct Line Takes You Straight to an Operator

Posted on August 31, 2008
Direct Line Takes You Straight to an Operator | Lifehacker

Credit card industry kills Mythbusters attempt to examine RFID security

Posted on August 30, 2008
Credit-card companies killed Mythbusters segment on RFID vulnerabilities | Boing Boing

NWA starts charging today for first checked bag

Posted on August 28, 2008
NWA starts charging today for first checked bag | Star Tribune (Thanks, Dave)

Who?s Smiling Now? Enzyte Scammer Gets 25 Years In Prison

Posted on August 28, 2008
Not exactly poetic, but justice just the same. Who’s Smiling Now? Enzyte Scammer Gets 25 Years In Prison | Consumerist

Should Biden Share Blame for Foreclosure Crisis?

Posted on August 28, 2008
Its good to be a well-informed voter.  Should Biden Share Blame for Foreclosure Crisis? | ABCNews.com

Consumers: We?re Mad As Hell And We?re Not Going To Charge It Anymore!

Posted on August 28, 2008
Consumers: We’re Mad As Hell And We’re Not Going To Charge It Anymore! | Consumerist

Biden, on the other hand, may be in MBNA?s pocket

Posted on August 28, 2008
A son of Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden was paid an undisclosed amount of money as a consultant by MBNA, the largest employer in Delaware, during the years the senator supported legislation that was promoted by the credit card industry and opposed by consumer groups...

If Enough Banks Fail, The FDIC Could Run Out Of Money

Posted on August 27, 2008
If Enough Banks Fail, The FDIC Could Run Out Of Money | Consumerist

McCain will not enforce net neutrality

Posted on August 27, 2008
Net neutrality is the idea central to the Internet that no content provider should have priority over any other. Consumers pay for the pipeline, which gives access to all the content on the web. There are no back roads online, just one, big, wide, information superhighway...

Debt Reduction Snowball Calculator

Posted on August 26, 2008
Great tool for using the “snowball” method to pay off your debt. Debt Reduction Snowball Calculator | Vertex42 (via Consumerist)

For debt collectors, business is booming

Posted on August 26, 2008
While many businesses are suffering, the debt collection industry expects to make $14 billion this year, a projected 9.8% growth. “We’re in a record-breaking year,” says Paul Donatio of Transworld Systems, Inc. (recently acquired by NCO Group)...

Bad Credit? Why You Shouldn?t ?Rent to Own?

Posted on August 26, 2008
Nice write-up on rent-to-own.  Bad Credit? Why You Shouldn’t ‘Rent to Own’ | ABC News

Dollar Duo: Textbook savings and more

Posted on August 25, 2008
New vidcast from Star Tribune columnists Kara McGuire and John Ewoldt: Dollar Duo: Textbook savings and more | StribTV

Got bills? Attack the stack

Posted on August 25, 2008
“Debt collection can be a stressful, terrifying experience. Know your rights to protect yourself.” Got bills? Attack the stack | ka-Ching!

More on the fake debt collection scam

Posted on August 22, 2008
Pete Barry was on the Morning Show with Mike and Juliet this morning. His advice on making sure you are not dealing with a rogue debt collector: make sure you get an address and phone number, at least. But in the end, it can be hard to know whether the collector on the phone is legitimate...

Why the OCC Can?t Be Relied on for Consumer Protection

Posted on August 21, 2008
Why the OCC Can’t Be Relied on for Consumer Protection | Credit Slips

Fake Debt Collectors Terrify Consumers

Posted on August 21, 2008
“Scammers masquerading as debt collectors and law enforcement officials have terrified consumers with threatening phone calls and bilked them out of thousands of dollars, officials with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office say. ” Fake Debt Collectors Terrify Consumers | ABC News (via Consumerist)

New video about the mortgage meltdown

Posted on August 20, 2008
The California Reinvestment Coalition put together this great little nine-minute documentary about the subprime mortgage meltdown. The focus is on California, but the message resonates anywhere. They include priceless footage from 60 Minutes of Alan Greenspan admitting he didn’t understand what was going on in the mortgage market until way too late [...

FTC Bans Prerecorded Telemarketing Drivel

Posted on August 20, 2008
FTC Bans Prerecorded Telemarketing Drivel | /.

8 Tips That Will Keep Your Refrigerator Healthy And Your Bills Low

Posted on August 19, 2008
8 Tips That Will Keep Your Refrigerator Healthy And Your Bills Low | Consumer Reports (via Consumerist)

Nursing home evictions

Posted on August 18, 2008
Nursing home evictions | Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog

Return of the Living Debt: How Lenders Enable Predatory ?Zombie Debt? Collectors

Posted on August 18, 2008
Return of the Living Debt: How Lenders Enable Predatory ?Zombie Debt? Collectors | The Mortgage Whistleblower

Delta is Ready with New Fees for Frequent Fliers

Posted on August 18, 2008
Delta is Ready with New Fees for Frequent Fliers | Mouse Print

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