All Topics

• Several States Reporting Fraudulent Credit Card Use after TJX Companies' Data Breach

  Staff Writer | January 25, 2007 4:25 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  According to an article in today's on-line publication Computerworld, the Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA) reports that identity thieves have been using stolen confidential credit and debit card information stolen by hackers who breached computer systems at The TJX Companies sometime in May of 2006. According to the MBA, compromised cards have so far been used to make fraudulent...

• More Details Released on Computer Data Theft at TJMaxx and Marshalls Stores

  Staff Writer | January 18, 2007 4:18 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  Since posting the message about thieves who accessed customer data on computers storing Marshalls and TJMaxx customer data, I have learned more about what happened and the company's response. According to a company press release concerning the data theft, • Portions of the information stored in the affected part of TJX's network regarding credit and debit card sales transactions in TJX's...

• Identity Thieves Steal Data from Marshalls and TJMaxx Computers

  Staff Writer | January 18, 2007 9:49 AM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  Apparently late last year, hackers compromised and stole data from computer systems storing credit card and other confidential information belonging to customers of TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores. If you have been a customer of either of these stores, you may become the next victim of identity theft. The company chairman and acting CEO disclosed the security breach in a message to customers...

• Limiting the Right of Consumers to Sue

  Staff Writer | January 17, 2007 10:00 AM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  The New York Times published an editorial on January 16, 2007 suggesting that pro-business tort reform initiatives are succeeding throughout the judicial system, the federal government and in state legislatures across the country. The editorial suggests that public relations campaigns are painting the picture that almost all litigation against business is frivolous and that consumers do not...

• Kentucky Train Fire Shuts Down Roadways

  Staff Writer | January 16, 2007 3:03 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  This morning a CSX company train hauling hazardous materials derailed and exploded causing street closures, home evacuations and general problems within an eighteen mile radius of the derailment. Originally the trains were thought to be hauling liquid propane gas. However, the chemical fire actually resulted from ignition of cyclohexane, the chemical stored in the derailed train cars. Many...

• New Proposal to Limit Public Access to Vehicle Safety Data Bad for Consumers

  Staff Writer | January 12, 2007 12:15 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  Shopping for a new car and want to compare details about past vehicle warranty-related problems before making your final buying decision? Do you want to look at available accident-related safety reports and determine which make and model of vehicle performed safest? Well according to a recent article in the San Fransisco Chronicle, a new proposal from the National Highway Safety Administration...

• Consumer Credit Freeze Proposal Good for Arizona

  Staff Writer | January 09, 2007 12:26 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  On Sunday, January 7, 2007, Linda Valdez, a columnist from the Arizona Republic urged the legislature to pass a bill allowing people to "put a freeze on their credit reports" as a way to minimize risk of identity theft. According to the Republic columnist, a credit freeze means that no one can access your credit information without your express permission. Consequently, no one can get a loan...

• Happy New Year!

  Staff Writer | January 02, 2007 9:14 AM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  As we have just entered 2007, I wanted to extend a sincere greetings to one and all for a happy and healthy new year! In this new year, I resolve to continue to discuss tort reform and its implications on consumers' ability to recover for real wrong-doing, force accountability, and make products and services safer. I hope to present the facts in a fairly objective way. Last year was not a...

• Teenage Driving in Arizona

  Staff Writer | December 27, 2006 12:52 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  A recent press release from the Arizona Automobile Association suggests, Arizona is far behind in being a safe state for the riskiest group of all teens. The state could do more to make it a safer state for ALL drivers by putting stricter limits on teenagers, the state's most dangerous drivers.Statistics supplied by AAA Arizona back up its conclusion that too many teenagers drive with reckless...

• Tort Refrom Criticism from the Oklahoma Supreme Court

  Staff Writer | December 21, 2006 1:45 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ

  I recently came across an opinion from the Oklahoma Supreme Court released onto its web site on December 19, 2006 but not yet formally published which presents an interesting analysis of tort reform in the state of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Supreme Court in an almost unanimous decision struck down a tort reform initiative requiring an expert affidavit of merit to accompany every new medical...