Tax Alert: Tax Scam Tips to Avoid Getting Screwed

April 3rd, 2012. By AbiK

With two weeks left to file taxes, everyone’s in a bit of a scramble to fill out those 1040’s or 1040EZ’s. And, don’t you know that tax scammers know it. So here are some tips to avoid becoming a victim of a tax scam—after all, owing money to the IRS or going through an IRS audit is bad enough—but being a victim of identity theft due to a tax scam is potentially a lot worse.

Tax Scam Tip #1: The IRS Does Not Use Email or Social Media to Contact You.

If the IRS has a problem with you or your tax return, they’ll use the regular mail. So your mailman will be the bearer of those joyful greetings. The IRS will not send you an email. Therefore, if you receive an email from someone claiming to be the IRS, do not open it, do not open any attachments that may be on it, do not click on any links in it, and do not respond to it—it’s someone who’s phishing for your personal information. And keep in mind, the IRS website ends in “.gov”—not .net, .com, .org, .biz or any other domain extension—if you see those, be highly suspicious.

Likewise, while I’m sure there are some friendly folks working at the IRS, the IRS as a rule is not your friend and will not be sending you a message on Facebook or DM’ing you on Twitter.

If you receive either an email or a message on your social media channels from someone who claims to be the IRS, forward that information (you can send the email directly) to .

Tax Scam Tip #2: The IRS Does Not Request Your Personal Information by Phone (or Email).

Again, the IRS won’t ask you on-the-spot for things like your social security number or a password or a credit card or bank account number. So if you receive a phone call (or email for that matter) from someone claiming to be the IRS and they ask you to provide any of your personal information, just hang up. It is not the IRS calling.

Likewise, if someone calls, claiming to be the IRS, and they threaten you or try to intimidate you in order to get you to provide your social security number, bank account information or credit card numbers, hang up. No matter what you see in the movies or on t.v., the IRS doesn’t make phone calls to threaten anyone into giving them personal identification information.

Tax Scam Tip #3: Tax Prep is Not Free, and You Don’t have to Provide Money to Get a Refund.

Yes, you will have to pay to get your taxes prepared if you do not prepare them yourself. But if anyone tells you that you’re due a tax refund—but you’ll first have to repay the stimulus money you received last year—then you’re being scammed. You will never have to pay any money—other than for your tax preparer’s services–in order to receive a tax refund.

If you receive an email, phone call or other communication offering “free” tax preparation, delete it, hang up or toss it. Tax prep is not free. Additionally, no legitimate tax preparer can guarantee you a refund—you’ll get a refund if your tax return says you will. And a legitimate tax preparer will sign your return—in your presence—and provide you with a signed copy of your tax return.

As with any other business, when in doubt, you can always check out a business at the Better Business Bureau. And if you think you’ve been a victim of a tax scam, file a report with the IRS at the phishing email above, and if you’ve fallen for the scam without realizing it until later and think you’ve been a victim of identity theft, report it to the FTC.

LAS Newsletter: Top Legal News, Free Delivery, Every Week

April 2nd, 2012. By AbiK

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to keep up on the latest legal news: class action lawsuits, lawsuit settlements, mass tort litigation, securities fraud lawsuits, and more.

The LawyersandSettlements.com newsletter is published weekly, and delivered free to your inbox.

This week’s top legal news: class action lawsuits for CarMax, GoDaddy, Dial Soap, Medicus Golf, Reebok Toning Shoes, Google Privacy, Yo-Plus Yogurt, Harley Davidson, and the Honda Hybrid.

Also, an update on Yasmin and Yaz lawsuits—what’s going on with talk of Bayer Yaz settlements and what does it mean for claimants?

Read all about it—and more—every week. Sign up now!

 

Asbestos News Roundup: 3.29.12 (Spotlight: Asbestos and Railway Workers)

March 30th, 2012. By LucyC

A roundup of recent asbestos-related news and information that you should be aware of. An ongoing list of reported asbestos hot spots in the US from the Asbestos News Roundup archive appears on our asbestos map.

Asbestos Workers at Risk

Railway workers…. Every week new asbestos lawsuits are filed, many of them by retired railway workers or their widows. Case-in-point—the lawsuit below filed by the widow of a retired BNSF railway man, who died from asbestos-related lung disease.

Asbestos exposure was a constant danger for people working on or around the railways in the US. Because of its insulating properties, asbestos was used to insulate steam and diesel locomotives, boxcars and cabooses, refrigeration units, pipes, and pipes, steam and hot water lines. Asbestos was also widely used in railroad brakes and clutch linings, gaskets, and in heavy-wearing floor tiles for passenger cars. And, during locomotive inspections it was not uncommon to have asbestos insulation stripped off the boilers, which would send asbestos fibers into the air and onto people’s clothing, affecting everyone in the vicinity—as well as family members at home.

Railway Worker’s Widow Sues BNSF

St. Clair County, IL: The wife of a recently deceased railroad worker, Anthony Ianno, filed an asbestos lawsuit recently against her husband’s former employer, BNSF Railway Company. In her lawsuit, Norina M. Ianno claims the railway company contributed to her husband’s death by exposing him to asbestos fibers throughout his employment with them.

Mrs. Ianno claims her husband developed asbestosis, lung cancer and another unspecified lung disease after he was exposed to asbestos fibers through his employment as a dock foreman and clerk from 1954 until 1986 for BNSF Railway Company. In addition to asbestos fibers, Mrs Ianno alleges her husand was also exposed to diesel exhaust, tobacco smoke, silica and other toxic gases, which also contributed to his disease.

Norina blames BNSF for causing her husband’s disease because, she says, the railroad negligently failed to provide Anthony Ianno with safe work, failed to provide him with equipment to protect him from asbestos fibers, exposed him to asbestos, failed to warn him of the hazards associated with asbestos and agreed to conceal the hazards of asbestos exposure.

Because of Anthony Ianno’s respiratory illness, he endured great pain, suffering, disability, disfigurement and mental anguish and lost his enjoyment of life, the suit states. He also incurred medical costs, the lawsuit states.

And, Mrs. Ianno claims that following her husband’s death on March 6, 2009, she lost his financial support. Consequently, she is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs. (Madisonrecord.com)

Asbestos Settlements

St. Clair, IL: The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled against CSX Transportation and in favor of the family of Annette Simpkins of Granite City, IL, who died of asbestos-related cancer after her husband brought the toxic dust home on his clothing from the railroad. The ruling yesterday returns the case to Madison County, IL, for trial after a majority of Supreme Court justices found that an employer has an obligation to warn workers and their families about the dangers linked to take-home asbestos exposure.

According to the complaint in Simpkins, et al. v. CSX Transportation, Mr. Simpkins brought asbestos dust home on his clothes in the 1960s while working for CSX Transportation, formerly B&O Railroad. Mrs. Simpkins was exposed while Read the rest of this entry »

Reebok Toning Shoes Settlement Claim Forms Due Soon

March 30th, 2012. By AbiK

If you were one of those fitness lovers who drank the Reebok toning shoe Kool-Aid® only to find out there was a Reebok Toning Shoe Class Action Lawsuit, well, the deadline to get your claim form in for the Reebok Toning Shoe Settlement is fast upon us, so listen up!

Why was there a Reebok Toning Shoes Class Action Lawsuit in the first place?

Basically, false advertising—Reebok claimed their toning shoes and apparel would work wonders (surprise, surprise) and the folks who bought them felt otherwise; some even claimed they were injured by the shoes. Needless to say, Reebok denies all wrongdoing. The Court did not decide which side was right. Rather, the parties have decided to settle. So here we are. 

Am I part of the Reebok Toning Shoes Class Action Lawsuit?

Darn right you are if you purchased any of the following from Reebok and/or its authorized retailers and wholesalers from December 5, 2008 through October 12, 2011, and meet any other qualifications specified on the settlement notice:

Reebok Toning Shoes (aka “Eligible Shoes”)

• EasyTone
• EasyTone Flip
• RunTone
• TrainTone
• JumpTone
• SimplyTone
• SlimTone

Reebok Toning Apparel (aka “Eligible Apparel”)

• EasyTone Capri
• EasyTone Pants
• EasyTone Shorts
• EasyTone Long Bra Top
• EasyTone Sleeveless Shirt
• EasyTone Short Sleeve Top

How much is the Reebok Toning Shoes Settlement worth?

Well, if you’re a member of the class (ie, you bought one of the eligible items above during the time mentioned above) you may be entitled to part of the settlement.

The Reebok Toning Shoe Settlement utilizes the same $25 million fund announced with the FTC on September 28, 2011, less the costs of notice and settlement administration, to pay claims to eligible Class Members relating to the purchase of eligible shoes and apparel. Court awarded attorneys’ fees and costs and class representative awards will be paid separately by Reebok. Reebok is also agreeing to make certain conduct changes.

The amount of payment to eligible Class Members will vary based on the product(s) purchased, the number and amounts claimed by all Class Members and other adjustments and deductions. The amount could be more (up to double), the same, or less than $50 for each pair of Eligible Shoes, $40 for each EasyTone Capri and EasyTone Pants, and $25 for each applicable shirt, bra top and top.

What do I need to do to get my Reebok Toning Shoe Settlement Payment?

You need to fill out and submit a claim form AT THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR’S WEBSITE HERE.

Your Reebok settlement claim form must be submitted electronically, or postmarked via mail, no later than April 10, 2012.

NOTE: If you already submitted a claim form after the FTC announcement, do not submit another claim form. You will also be sent a notice in the near future about the class action settlement.

The detailed notice for the Reebok toning shoe settlement describes how to file a claim and provides other important information.

Law Heroes? You’re Kidding, Right?

March 23rd, 2012. By AbiK

Just came across a post over at bestcollegesonline.com that looks at lawyers—ok, not your average everyday lawyers, admittedly—as would-be caped-crusaders for the law school set—historical industry heroes to look up to the way techies idolize Steve Jobs or advertising students admire David Ogilvy.

In an age where lawyers have been associated with phrases like “ambulance-chaser” and a few bad eggs have filed outrageously frivolous lawsuits that the media has had a field day with, it’s important to know that many—most—trial lawyers go about seeking justice and championing human rights quietly—and under the radar. For a few current examples, check out the lawyers we’ve profiled in our Lawyers Giving Back interviews.

The list of lawyers profiled over at bestcollegesonline.com includes some heavy-hitters—folks like Sir Thomas More (can’t get much more ‘heavy hitter’ than being named “Lawyer of the Millennium”) and Giovanni Falcone who both lost their lives as a result of their work (there’s a concept: lawyer as martyr). But here’s the full list—note, some are/were not members of the bar, but legal heroes none the less:

• John Quincy Adams
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg
• Clarence Darrow
• Sir Sydney Kentridge
• Robert F. Kennedy
• Earl Warren
• Florence Kelley
• Giovanni Falcone
• John Lilburne
• William Kunstler
• Sir Thomas More
• Erin Brockovich

There are undoubtedly many more lawyers who could be included on the list–but it was nice to see a positive profile on the legal profession, along with some individuals whose legal careers and contributions law students today should aspire to.