August 21, 2009
NEW CREDIT CARD LAW AFFECTS STUDENTS
President Obama signed into law the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 on May 22, 2009. The bill is designed to strengthen consumer protections in the credit card market. The new requirements of the CARD Act will become effective on February 22, 2010.
The CARD Act bans retroactive rate increases, limits the circumstances under which fees and penalties may be assessed, requires clear disclosure of credit terms, and prevents unfair fee traps.
This legislation prohibits the extension of credit to persons under age 21 unless they have a cosigner or can independently demonstrate their ability to repay the debt. Co-signors must be over age 21 and must have a means to repay the debt incurred by the student. No increase may be made to a credit line for which a third party (such as a parent) is jointly liable, unless that third party has approved the increase in writing.
The Act also bans on-campus gift marketing of credit cards to all students. No credit card issuer may offer “any tangible item” to a student of any age as an incentive to apply for a credit card, either on campus or at a university-sponsored event.
www.whitehouse.gov/Office of the Press/Fact Sheet: Reforms to Protect American Credit Card Holders
For more information, see: Credit Cards under Credit Issuses in the Consumer section of the Student Legal Services online Handbook.
September 29, 2009
BED BUGS
It seems that the incidence of bed bug infestation in off-campus student housing is on the increase.
Bed bugs are parasites that live off the blood of humans and other animals. They are extremely small and can live in cracks and crevices near places where people sleep at night. Bed bugs can live for over a year without feeding, so even vacant apartments cannot be considered completely safe. Bed bugs can be brought into an apartment by anyone without their knowledge; they can also travel from one unit to another though pipes and walls.
Tips for Avoiding Bed Bugs:
- If you have been traveling, inspect your luggage. Hotels, Hostels, resorts or places where large amounts of luggage are stored can harbor bed bugs.
- Avoid scavenging beds and furniture that have been discarded and left by the curb for disposal. Bed bug infestations can be found on furniture other than mattresses.
- When purchasing beds and other furniture, especially if it is used, verify that an inspection for bed bugs was conducted by a person experienced in identifying infestations.
If you suspect an infestation of bed bugs, immediately contact your landlord, the Housing Code Office (441-7785), and the Lancaster County Extension (441-7180). Treatments for bed bug infestations should only be done by professional pest control companies. Usually, a chemical is applied several times in order to kill all of the bed bugs and their eggs. Treatment is expensive and payment should be the responsibility of the landlord in order for him or her to adequately maintain their building in compliance with state and local laws.
For more information about bed bugs, please check the Lancaster County Extension site: http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/BedBug263.shtml.
October 8, 2009
CASHIER CHECK SCAM
Students should be aware of check cashing scams and their many variants. Depositing a check into your account from someone you do not know, or you have met over the Internet, is a bad idea.
- "Company" asks a student to do surveys of other students and sends a $900 check with instructions to keep $100 but send the rest back by money order. Student deposits the check, sends the $800 to the "Company" and conducts the survey, but the original check was no good (stolen or fake) and student´s bank deducts the deposit from student´s account. Student loses $800.
- Do NOT respond to inquiries or requests that you send money (cashier´s check, wire transfer, money order, etc.) in exchange for subleasing your apartment or house. For example, if someone allegedly wants to sublet your apartment, sends money to you for the rent, then wants you to send part of the money back to them to purchase a plane ticket, or whatever, do NOT respond. Contact the police.
- Person standing outside of a class hands student a flyer indicating the professor is now requiring certain software for the class. An email address is given on how to purchase the alleged software online. When student contacts the email address, money is taken off student´s credit card, but no such software exists or is required. Do NOT contact the email address. Contact your professor and the police.
What you can do:
- Never accept nor deposit a check from someone you do not know or have only met on the Internet.
- Contact Student Legal Services at 402–472–3350.
- Contact the local police to investigate.
