The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers to check their credit reports on a regular basis, since a new FTC study reports that 1 in 5 consumers have errors in their credit report from the three major credit reporting agencies: Experian PLC, Equifax, Inc., and Transunion Corp.
In sum, as many as 40 million American consumers have a mistake on their credit report, and over 20 million American consumers have significant mistakes on their report.
The Federal Trade Commission study also said that 5 percent of the consumers identified errors in their reports that could lead to them paying more for mortgages, auto loans or other financial products.
The study looked at reports for 1,001 consumers issued by the three major agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The FTC hired researchers to help consumers identify potential errors.
The study closely matches the results of a yearlong investigation by The Columbus Dispatch. The Ohio newspaper’s report last year said that thousands of consumers were denied loans because of errors on their credit reports.
The FTC says the findings underline the importance of consumers checking their credit reports.
Consumers are entitled to a free copy of their credit report each year from each of the three reporting agencies.
The FTC study also found that 20 percent of consumers had an error that was corrected by a reporting agency after the consumer disputed it. About 10 percent of consumers had their credit score changed after a reporting agency corrected errors in their reports.
In September, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau gained the authority to write and enforce rules for the credit reporting industry and to monitor the compliance of the three agencies. Prior to that, the reporting agencies weren’t subject to ongoing monitoring by federal examiners.
The CFPB hasn’t yet taken any public action against the agencies. However, it is accepting complaints from consumers who discover incorrect information on their reports or have trouble getting mistakes corrected. The agencies have 15 days to respond to the complaints with a plan for fixing the problem; consumers can dispute that response.
By contrast, the FTC can only take action if there is an earlier indication of wrongdoing. It cannot demand information from or investigate companies that appear to be following the law.
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
Attorney Charles Jerome Ware is renowned and consistently ranked among the best attorneys and legal counsellors in the United States. [GQ Magazine, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Columbia Flier, USA TODAY, The Howard County Sun, The Anniston Star, The New York Times, et al.]
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
The national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, P.A., Attorneys and Counsellors is: "Still working. Still committed. Still here to make a difference."
[www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ftc study says 1 in 5 consumers had error in a credit report from major agency; www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/02/creditreport.shtm; www.usatoday.com/02-11-2013; www.abcnews.go.com/02-11-13]
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Charles Ware's CRIMINAL LAW UPDATE: No Marital Privilege In Text Messages (In Pennsylvania Abuse Case)
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
Attorney Charles Jerome Ware is renowned and consistently ranked among the best attorneys and legal counsellors in the United States. [GQ Magazine, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Columbia Flier, USA TODAY, The Howard County Sun, The Anniston Star, The New York Times, et al.]
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
The national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, P.A., Attorneys and Counsellors is: "Still working. Still committed. Still here to make a difference."
Use Of Incriminating Text Messages Between Spouses As Evidence Is Upheld By Pennsylvania Appeals Court:
_______________________________________________
Carving out an exception to Pennsylvania's spousal communication privilege law, the state's Superior Court (appeals court) has ruled that text messages exchanged between a married couple should be admitted into evidence in a criminal child abuse prosecution where it is alleged the wife brutally beat her husband's 4-year-old son.
The appeals court, in a unanimous three-judge opinion, said that because the texts are being used in ongoing child abuse proceedings involving the woman and the child, the woman could not have had a reasonable expectation that her communications would remain confidential, the Legal Intelligencer reports (see below).
"This holding not only modernizes the antiquated notion of preserving marital harmony above all else, but reinforces the significant purpose of protecting children from abuse and promoting the reporting of such abuse," Judge Anne E. Lazarus wrote for the court.
The defendant, Michele Renae Hunter, is accused of brutally beating her 4-year-old stepson, Billy. Hunter and her husband, William, who is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, allegedly exchanged 119 text messages over a two-day period before Billy saw a doctor, Public Opinion reported. Many of the messages dealt with the boy's worsening medical condition.
The child, Billy, suffered a severe brain injury that led to cardiopulmonary arrest, and is likely to suffer lasting brain damage, the court wrote.
A Franklin County, Pennsylvania trial judge ruled last year that the spousal communications privilege does not apply in criminal child abuse cases. He said Michele Hunter had no expectation of privacy in the texts because they would have been admissible in hearings before state child welfare officials.
[www.abajournal.com/news/article/2-7-2013/ by ABA Journal's Mark Hansen; www.law.com/The Legal Intelligencer/2-5-2013/ 'Superior Court Allows Texts From Wife In Child-Abuse Prosecution"/ by Ben Present; www.publicopiniononline.com/ "Franklin County Judge To Allow Texts At Trial Of Chambersburg Woman Accused of Severely Injuring Her Stepson, Age 4]
Attorney Charles Jerome Ware is renowned and consistently ranked among the best attorneys and legal counsellors in the United States. [GQ Magazine, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Columbia Flier, USA TODAY, The Howard County Sun, The Anniston Star, The New York Times, et al.]
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
The national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, P.A., Attorneys and Counsellors is: "Still working. Still committed. Still here to make a difference."
Use Of Incriminating Text Messages Between Spouses As Evidence Is Upheld By Pennsylvania Appeals Court:
_______________________________________________
Carving out an exception to Pennsylvania's spousal communication privilege law, the state's Superior Court (appeals court) has ruled that text messages exchanged between a married couple should be admitted into evidence in a criminal child abuse prosecution where it is alleged the wife brutally beat her husband's 4-year-old son.
The appeals court, in a unanimous three-judge opinion, said that because the texts are being used in ongoing child abuse proceedings involving the woman and the child, the woman could not have had a reasonable expectation that her communications would remain confidential, the Legal Intelligencer reports (see below).
"This holding not only modernizes the antiquated notion of preserving marital harmony above all else, but reinforces the significant purpose of protecting children from abuse and promoting the reporting of such abuse," Judge Anne E. Lazarus wrote for the court.
The defendant, Michele Renae Hunter, is accused of brutally beating her 4-year-old stepson, Billy. Hunter and her husband, William, who is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, allegedly exchanged 119 text messages over a two-day period before Billy saw a doctor, Public Opinion reported. Many of the messages dealt with the boy's worsening medical condition.
The child, Billy, suffered a severe brain injury that led to cardiopulmonary arrest, and is likely to suffer lasting brain damage, the court wrote.
A Franklin County, Pennsylvania trial judge ruled last year that the spousal communications privilege does not apply in criminal child abuse cases. He said Michele Hunter had no expectation of privacy in the texts because they would have been admissible in hearings before state child welfare officials.
[www.abajournal.com/news/article/2-7-2013/ by ABA Journal's Mark Hansen; www.law.com/The Legal Intelligencer/2-5-2013/ 'Superior Court Allows Texts From Wife In Child-Abuse Prosecution"/ by Ben Present; www.publicopiniononline.com/ "Franklin County Judge To Allow Texts At Trial Of Chambersburg Woman Accused of Severely Injuring Her Stepson, Age 4]
BAD CREDIT REPORTING: 40 MILLION MISTAKES IN U.S.
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
A mistake on your credit report can cost you money. It can increase the interest you pay on loans, prevent you from getting a mortgage, or buying a car, landing a job or getting a security clearance. It is not uncommon.
A new government study by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to be released today (Monday, February 11, 2013) indicates as many as 40 million American consumers have a mistake on their credit report, and over $20 million American consumers have significant mistakes on their reports.
According to the respected CBS television news program, "60 Minutes", in it broadcast Sunday evening (February 10th, 2013), the current dispute-resolution systems allegedly in place at the 3 major consumer-credit-rating agencies in the United States are breaking the law.
According to the "60 Minutes" report, Equifax, Inc. (US:EFX), Irish-based Experian PLC (UK:EXPN), and Transunion Corp. are all violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to adequately address mistakes in consumers' (the public's) credit records.
The CBS report included, inter alia, an interview with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
The reader is encouraged to read the best-selling book by Attorney Charles Jerome Ware for assistance with consumer credit issues:
Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets: Avoiding Debtors' Prison In The United States
(iUniverse Publishers, 2011)
By Charles Jerome Ware, Former Special Counsel to the Chairman of the United States Federal Trade Commission.
[articles.marketwatch.com/2013-02-10/industries/ "Credit-Reporting Agencies Breaking Law: Report"; www.cbsnews.com/February 10, 2013/ "$40 Million Mistakes: Is Your Credit Report Accurate?"]
"40 Million Credit Mistakes"
A mistake on your credit report can cost you money. It can increase the interest you pay on loans, prevent you from getting a mortgage, or buying a car, landing a job or getting a security clearance. It is not uncommon.
A new government study by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to be released today (Monday, February 11, 2013) indicates as many as 40 million American consumers have a mistake on their credit report, and over $20 million American consumers have significant mistakes on their reports.
According to the respected CBS television news program, "60 Minutes", in it broadcast Sunday evening (February 10th, 2013), the current dispute-resolution systems allegedly in place at the 3 major consumer-credit-rating agencies in the United States are breaking the law.
According to the "60 Minutes" report, Equifax, Inc. (US:EFX), Irish-based Experian PLC (UK:EXPN), and Transunion Corp. are all violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to adequately address mistakes in consumers' (the public's) credit records.
The CBS report included, inter alia, an interview with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
The reader is encouraged to read the best-selling book by Attorney Charles Jerome Ware for assistance with consumer credit issues:
Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets: Avoiding Debtors' Prison In The United States
(iUniverse Publishers, 2011)
By Charles Jerome Ware, Former Special Counsel to the Chairman of the United States Federal Trade Commission.
[articles.marketwatch.com/2013-02-10/industries/ "Credit-Reporting Agencies Breaking Law: Report"; www.cbsnews.com/February 10, 2013/ "$40 Million Mistakes: Is Your Credit Report Accurate?"]
U.S. CREDIT REPORTING UNLAWFUL: Consumer Alert By Charles Jerome Ware, P.A., Attorneys and Counsellors
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
A mistake on your credit report can cost you money. It can increase the interest you pay on loans, prevent you from getting a mortgage, or buying a car, landing a job or getting a security clearance. It is not uncommon.
A new government study by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to be released today (Monday, February 11, 2013) indicates as many as 40 million American consumers have a mistake on their credit report, and over $20 million American consumers have significant mistakes on their reports.
According to the respected CBS television news program, "60 Minutes", in it broadcast Sunday evening (February 10th, 2013), the current dispute-resolution systems allegedly in place at the 3 major consumer-credit-rating agencies in the United States are breaking the law.
According to the "60 Minutes" report, Equifax, Inc. (US:EFX), Irish-based Experian PLC (UK:EXPN), and Transunion Corp. are all violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to adequately address mistakes in consumers' (the public's) credit records.
The CBS report included, inter alia, an interview with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
The reader is encouraged to read the best-selling book by Attorney Charles Jerome Ware for assistance with consumer credit issues:
Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets: Avoiding Debtors' Prison In The United States
(iUniverse Publishers, 2011)
By Charles Jerome Ware, Former Special Counsel to the Chairman of the United States Federal Trade Commission.
[articles.marketwatch.com/2013-02-10/industries/ "Credit-Reporting Agencies Breaking Law: Report"; www.cbsnews.com/February 10, 2013/ "$40 Million Mistakes: Is Your Credit Report Accurate?"]
"40 Million Credit Mistakes"
A mistake on your credit report can cost you money. It can increase the interest you pay on loans, prevent you from getting a mortgage, or buying a car, landing a job or getting a security clearance. It is not uncommon.
A new government study by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to be released today (Monday, February 11, 2013) indicates as many as 40 million American consumers have a mistake on their credit report, and over $20 million American consumers have significant mistakes on their reports.
According to the respected CBS television news program, "60 Minutes", in it broadcast Sunday evening (February 10th, 2013), the current dispute-resolution systems allegedly in place at the 3 major consumer-credit-rating agencies in the United States are breaking the law.
According to the "60 Minutes" report, Equifax, Inc. (US:EFX), Irish-based Experian PLC (UK:EXPN), and Transunion Corp. are all violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to adequately address mistakes in consumers' (the public's) credit records.
The CBS report included, inter alia, an interview with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
The reader is encouraged to read the best-selling book by Attorney Charles Jerome Ware for assistance with consumer credit issues:
Legal Consumer Tips and Secrets: Avoiding Debtors' Prison In The United States
(iUniverse Publishers, 2011)
By Charles Jerome Ware, Former Special Counsel to the Chairman of the United States Federal Trade Commission.
[articles.marketwatch.com/2013-02-10/industries/ "Credit-Reporting Agencies Breaking Law: Report"; www.cbsnews.com/February 10, 2013/ "$40 Million Mistakes: Is Your Credit Report Accurate?"]
MULTIPLE LOTTERY WINNERS SECRETS --- STUDY "THE BOOK": By Author, Lotterician and Microeconomist Charles Ware
www.amazon.com
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
www.outskirtspress.com
"THE BOOK" is: THE SECRET SCIENCE OF WINNING LOTTERIES, SWEEPSTAKES AND CONTESTS
--- Laws, Strategies, Formulas and Statistics, by Charles Jerome Ware (Published 2012)
When it comes to lotteries, sweepstakes and contests, there are ways to improve your odds or probability of winning. They are discussed in this book, with a lot of detail and some humor. Blind reliance on luck or chance is not necessary to win lotteries, sweepstakes and contests. The "4Ps" of persistence, preparation, poise and a positive mental attitude are necessary to win on a consistent or regular basis. Therefore, just about anyone is capable of winning.
Charles Jerome Ware is a noted author and attorney, microeconomist, lotterician, sweepstaker and contester. He is a principal in the national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, Attorneys and Counselors. Dr. Ware is a highly successful and life-long sweepstaker and contester. He is also a successful lotterician who, for several years, has investigated, monitored and researched lotteries throughout the United States and several foreign countries. Dr. Ware is the recipient of numerous awards for his accomplishments in law and other areas. He lives in Columbia, Maryland.
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
www.outskirtspress.com
"THE BOOK" is: THE SECRET SCIENCE OF WINNING LOTTERIES, SWEEPSTAKES AND CONTESTS
--- Laws, Strategies, Formulas and Statistics, by Charles Jerome Ware (Published 2012)
When it comes to lotteries, sweepstakes and contests, there are ways to improve your odds or probability of winning. They are discussed in this book, with a lot of detail and some humor. Blind reliance on luck or chance is not necessary to win lotteries, sweepstakes and contests. The "4Ps" of persistence, preparation, poise and a positive mental attitude are necessary to win on a consistent or regular basis. Therefore, just about anyone is capable of winning.
Charles Jerome Ware is a noted author and attorney, microeconomist, lotterician, sweepstaker and contester. He is a principal in the national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, Attorneys and Counselors. Dr. Ware is a highly successful and life-long sweepstaker and contester. He is also a successful lotterician who, for several years, has investigated, monitored and researched lotteries throughout the United States and several foreign countries. Dr. Ware is the recipient of numerous awards for his accomplishments in law and other areas. He lives in Columbia, Maryland.
Friday, February 8, 2013
ENTERGY "BLACK EYE" OVER SUPER BOWL "BLACKOUT": Update by Attorney Charles Jerome Ware
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
Look for civil lawsuits to start flying all over the place in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Despite its initial adamant denials on Sunday night (02-03-2013) during the Super Bowl of any culpability, officials of Entergy New Orleans now admit the Super Bowl blackout was the electric company's fault.
Apparently, according to Entergy, an electrical device that the company had installed expressly to prevent a power outage in the Superdome failed during the game.
Officials of Entergy New Orleans, a subsidiary of New Orleans-based Entergy Corp., said the device, called a relay, had been installed in switching gear to protect the Superdome from a cable failure between the company's incoming power line and lines that run into the stadium.
The switching gear is housed in a building known as "the vault" near the stadium that receives a line directly from a nearby Entergy power substation. Once the line reaches the vault, it splits into two cables that go into the Superdome.
Company officials said the device performed with no problems during January's Sugar Bowl and other earlier events, but has been removed and will be replaced. All systems at the Superdome are now working and the dome will host a major Mardi Gras event Saturday night, said Doug Thornton, an executive with SMG, the company that manages the stadium for the state.
The power failure at Sunday's big game cut lights to about half of the stadium for 34 minutes, halting play between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. The FBI had ruled out cyberterrorism as a cause. Hmmm --- what about gambling interests? The "blackout" has caused a "black eye" for Entergy. The electric company's stock price is now down by 1.75% due to the incident. [www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/02-08-2013/ "Entergy Stock Takes A Hit For Super Bowl Blackout"; www.washingtonpost.com/business/power/02-08-2013/ "Entergy: Super Bowl Blackout Caused By Electrical Device Installed To Prevent Power Outage"] Attorney Charles Jerome Ware is renowned and consistently ranked among the best attorneys and legal counsellors in the United States. [GQ Magazine, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Columbia Flier, USA TODAY, The Howard County Sun, The Anniston Star, The New York Times, et al.]
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
The national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, P.A., Attorneys and Counsellors is: "Still working. Still committed. Still here to make a difference."
Look for civil lawsuits to start flying all over the place in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Despite its initial adamant denials on Sunday night (02-03-2013) during the Super Bowl of any culpability, officials of Entergy New Orleans now admit the Super Bowl blackout was the electric company's fault.
Apparently, according to Entergy, an electrical device that the company had installed expressly to prevent a power outage in the Superdome failed during the game.
Officials of Entergy New Orleans, a subsidiary of New Orleans-based Entergy Corp., said the device, called a relay, had been installed in switching gear to protect the Superdome from a cable failure between the company's incoming power line and lines that run into the stadium.
The switching gear is housed in a building known as "the vault" near the stadium that receives a line directly from a nearby Entergy power substation. Once the line reaches the vault, it splits into two cables that go into the Superdome.
Company officials said the device performed with no problems during January's Sugar Bowl and other earlier events, but has been removed and will be replaced. All systems at the Superdome are now working and the dome will host a major Mardi Gras event Saturday night, said Doug Thornton, an executive with SMG, the company that manages the stadium for the state.
The power failure at Sunday's big game cut lights to about half of the stadium for 34 minutes, halting play between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. The FBI had ruled out cyberterrorism as a cause. Hmmm --- what about gambling interests? The "blackout" has caused a "black eye" for Entergy. The electric company's stock price is now down by 1.75% due to the incident. [www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/02-08-2013/ "Entergy Stock Takes A Hit For Super Bowl Blackout"; www.washingtonpost.com/business/power/02-08-2013/ "Entergy: Super Bowl Blackout Caused By Electrical Device Installed To Prevent Power Outage"] Attorney Charles Jerome Ware is renowned and consistently ranked among the best attorneys and legal counsellors in the United States. [GQ Magazine, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Columbia Flier, USA TODAY, The Howard County Sun, The Anniston Star, The New York Times, et al.]
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
The national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, P.A., Attorneys and Counsellors is: "Still working. Still committed. Still here to make a difference."
MULTIPLE LOTTERY WINNERS READ AND STUDY "THE BOOK": By Author, Lotterician and Microeconomist Charles Ware
www.amazon.com
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
www.outskirtspress.com
"THE BOOK" is: THE SECRET SCIENCE OF WINNING LOTTERIES, SWEEPSTAKES AND CONTESTS
--- Laws, Strategies, Formulas and Statistics, by Charles Jerome Ware (Published 2012)
When it comes to lotteries, sweepstakes and contests, there are ways to improve your odds or probability of winning. They are discussed in this book, with a lot of detail and some humor. Blind reliance on luck or chance is not necessary to win lotteries, sweepstakes and contests. The "4Ps" of persistence, preparation, poise and a positive mental attitude are necessary to win on a consistent or regular basis. Therefore, just about anyone is capable of winning.
Charles Jerome Ware is a noted author and attorney, microeconomist, lotterician, sweepstaker and contester. He is a principal in the national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, Attorneys and Counselors. Dr. Ware is a highly successful and life-long sweepstaker and contester. He is also a successful lotterician who, for several years, has investigated, monitored and researched lotteries throughout the United States and several foreign countries. Dr. Ware is the recipient of numerous awards for his accomplishments in law and other areas. He lives in Columbia, Maryland.
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com
www.outskirtspress.com
"THE BOOK" is: THE SECRET SCIENCE OF WINNING LOTTERIES, SWEEPSTAKES AND CONTESTS
--- Laws, Strategies, Formulas and Statistics, by Charles Jerome Ware (Published 2012)
When it comes to lotteries, sweepstakes and contests, there are ways to improve your odds or probability of winning. They are discussed in this book, with a lot of detail and some humor. Blind reliance on luck or chance is not necessary to win lotteries, sweepstakes and contests. The "4Ps" of persistence, preparation, poise and a positive mental attitude are necessary to win on a consistent or regular basis. Therefore, just about anyone is capable of winning.
Charles Jerome Ware is a noted author and attorney, microeconomist, lotterician, sweepstaker and contester. He is a principal in the national law firm of Charles Jerome Ware, Attorneys and Counselors. Dr. Ware is a highly successful and life-long sweepstaker and contester. He is also a successful lotterician who, for several years, has investigated, monitored and researched lotteries throughout the United States and several foreign countries. Dr. Ware is the recipient of numerous awards for his accomplishments in law and other areas. He lives in Columbia, Maryland.
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