Various types of fraud cost U.S. consumers nearly $1.48 billion last year, up 38 percent from 2017, based on complaints to the federal government. The information comes from the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network, which is where … [Read more...]
The California Consumer Privacy Act is coming – who qualifies, and what will it mean for you?
The nation’s toughest privacy law takes effect in California on Jan. 1, offering residents the most comprehensive protection for their personal information. The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 gives consumers the right to know what data a … [Read more...]
Navigating the legal potholes of GPS tracking
While the convenience of GPS-enabled devices is undeniable, there’s a flip side: they give employers a tool that can be used to track workers in real time. And at some point, that tracking crosses a line. Smart phones, watches, vehicles and other … [Read more...]
A Free Trial – or Another Subscription? New Changes to California’s Automatic Renewal Law Help Consumers Avoid Recurring Charges
If you’re one of the 79 percent of Americans who shop online, you’re probably familiar with the “automatic renewal” – a subscription, membership or service through which one purchase turns into a dozen. Automatic renewals can be convenient, but they … [Read more...]
Telemarketers must obtain consent – and tiny-font disclaimers don’t suffice
Imagine going online to look for home loan information. You find a website and enter some basic information, then click “Get a free quote” – and the next day, your phone is besieged with calls and texts hawking mortgages. A recent court decision … [Read more...]
What To Do If Your Data is Breached
On the heels of major cyber security headlines in 2017, experts predict that 2018 could bring even more data breaches and security threats. Indeed, the MIT Technology Review said the Equifax cyberattack – which exposed personal information for … [Read more...]
GOP seeks to gut class actions, declaring war on consumers and other victims of big business
Congressional Republicans, emboldened by the GOP’s control over all three branches of the federal government, have launched a frontal assault on consumers with a flurry of bills aimed at crippling the class-action lawsuit. Class actions are often … [Read more...]
California Gym Member Who Never Saw Contract Until After E-Signing Didn’t Agree to Arbitration Clause, Court Finds
A former L.A. Fitness member who accused the gym of tricking him into buying an annual membership he didn’t want cannot be held to an arbitration agreement he wasn’t shown until after he electronically signed it, a federal district court held. When … [Read more...]
Supreme Court Approves of Statistical Sampling To Prove Class Action Claims
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in late March that plaintiffs may use statistical estimates to establish the commonality of their injury, a prerequisite to a court granting the plaintiffs the right to proceed as a class action. The 6-2 ruling is an … [Read more...]
Federal Court Strikes Down Arbitration Provision That Sought To Ban Employee Class Actions
Arbitration provisions are everywhere. If you own a cell phone, use a credit card, or subscribe to cable or satellite TV, odds are very high that your contract with those companies contains an arbitration clause. Your employment agreement may very … [Read more...]