Upon logging into his Gold Membership profile in order to view the classmate contacts … Plaintiff discovered that in fact, no former classmate of his had tried to contact him or view his profile," the complaint reads. "Of those www.classmates.com users who were characterized ... as members who viewed Plaintiff's profile, none were former classmates of Plaintiff or persons familiar with or known to Plaintiff for that matter.

If approved, the suit seeks class action status.

Classmates.com User Sues; Schoolmates Weren't Really Looking for Him [WIRED]

[via TopClassActions]

Short Codes to look for on your bills:

1103
20795
21000
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25692
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28394
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29940
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33555
33999
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39999
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59999
61240
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64651
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75556
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76036
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98651

(Photo: blueoneiam)

Apple originally agreed to settle the suit early this year, but recently expanded the number of eligible models. Class members are eligible for the following payback:

For adapters purchased before October 14, 2008, fill out and submit your claim form by February 11, 2009. For replacement adapters purchased after October 14, 2008, submit your claims within 120 days of the purchase, or by May 31, 2009; whichever is earlier.

More details are available on the class action's website.

Gordon v. Apple Computer, Inc.
Apple settles class-action suit over faulty notebook adapters [AppleInsider]
(Photo: Educational Technology Blog)

TopClassAction [Official Site]

1) free credit report monitoring for six months, plus cash if there's any money left over in settlement fund and you still get to sue them if you want
2) all the benefits of option one but you can't sue them any further.
3) 9 months of credit monitoring, access to some free credit scores, and free use of TransUnion's mortgage simulator service - but no cash payment. For more information, visit the settlement site at ListAction.com or call 1-866-416-3470.

ListClassAction [Official Settlement Site] (Thanks to Scott!)
PREVIOUSLY: Massive TransUnion Settlement To Reveal Credit Scores (Photo: dbdbrobot)

So what should you do? CR says:

Our advice:

• When washing, use warm or hot water unless a load requires cold.
• Wipe the door gasket and glass dry once you’re done washing.
• Clean the detergent dispenser and any attachments once or twice a month.
• Run a dehumidifier if your laundry room is damp.

If you see mold buildup in a front-loading washer, call the manufacturer for service and save all paperwork related to the purchase and service of your machine. In the Maytag Neptune and Whirlpool Calypso settlements, plaintiffs eligible for restitution needed to document multiple authorized repair visits made during the warranty period and soon after the warranty expired.

In response to the many reader letters we've received, we're asking owners of front-loaders whether repairs they’ve had done to their washers relate to mold alone. We’ll report on the findings from the Annual Questionnaire, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, in future stories.

Does your front loading washer get moldy?

Mold can be a problem for some front-loading washers [Consumer Reports]

Russ writes:

I called Select Comfort, and informed them that my 3000 series king bed has mold issues, both on the pad and the air chambers. I informed them that I’ve done my research and am fully aware that there is a pending class action lawsuit against Select Comfort for this issue, and as a result I want a new bed shipped to me with return shipping labels for the defective bed. The customer service agent placed me on hold for a minute or so, and then came back and agreed to my request. Select Comfort is sending me a new bed, with return shipping labels.

I’ve always had great success when working with them in the past, but thanks to The Consumerist, I pretty sure I got better service then I would have normally.

Keys to this reader's success, he...

1. Researched the issue
2. Let them know he knew the facts about how widespread the issue
3. Explicitly asked for what he wanted
4. Read The Consumerist

...taking his experience from a 0 to a 100.

PREVIOUSLY: The Sleep Number Difference Is Mold

PREVIOUSLY: Pet Food Companies Agree To $24 Million Settlement Over Killer Pet Food
(Photo: Ariana Lindquist)

Verizon Wireless Suit Settlement Puts Sprint At Risk [Dow Jones]
(Photo: Ben Popken)

Sprint Nextel hit with class action [RCR]
(Photo: Getty)

If you purchased a Treo 600 or a Treo 650 smartphone, you could be entitled to benefits under a class action settlement.

A settlement of a class action lawsuit affects you if you purchased, in the United States, a new Treo 600 or Treo 650 smartphone for your own use and not for resale. The settlement will provide either: (a) a cash rebate to any United States resident who purchased a Treo 600 or Treo 650 smartphone, experienced two or more repairs or replacements (in lieu of repair) on that device, and purchases a new Palm smartphone within a defined time period; or (b) a right of repair for hardware defects, beyond the expiration of the warranty on your Treo 600 or Treo 650, even if you did not experience two or more repairs or replacements.

If you qualify, you may send in a claim form to ask for a rebate, or a repair form to seek a repair. You can also exclude yourself from the settlement, or object. The United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, authorized this notice. The Court will have a hearing to consider whether to approve the settlement, so that the benefits may be paid.

WHO'S AFFECTED?
Purchasers of a Treo 600 or Treo 650 smartphone. You're a "Class Member" if you are a United States resident who purchased in the United States a new Treo 600 or Treo 650 smartphone for your own use and not for resale.

WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?
The lawsuit claimed that the Treo 600 and Treo 650 smartphones had certain defects, failed at unacceptable rates, and that Palm made misrepresentations concerning the Treo 600 and Treo 650 smartphones. Palm, Inc. denies all allegations and has asserted many defenses. Palm is entering into this settlement to avoid burdensome and costly litigation. The settlement is not an admission of wrong-doing or an indication that any law was violated.

WHAT CAN YOU GET FROM THE SETTLEMENT?
Palm, Inc. has agreed to provide a cash rebate to Class Members who experienced two or more repairs or replacements in lieu of repair, who purchase a new Palm smartphone within a defined time period, and who send in a valid claim form. The settlement provides for different rebate payments depending on whether you purchased a Treo 600 smartphone or a Treo 650 smartphone requiring repairs or replacements. Rebate amounts are as follows:

SMARTPHONE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE TIMEFRAME OF PURCHASE OF NEW SMARTPHONE REBATE AMOUNT
Treo 600 Anytime after September 30, 2005 until the end of the "Redemption Period," which is six months after the Effective Date (the date the settlement becomes final) $75

Treo 650 Anytime during the Redemption Period $50

Palm has also agreed to provide a right of repair for hardware defects to any original purchaser of a Treo 600 or Treo 650 smartphone who submits a valid and timely Repair Form, even if they did not experience two or more repairs or replacements, and even if the warranty period has expired.

HOW DO YOU GET A PAYMENT?
A detailed notice and claim form package contains everything you need. Just go to www.palzasettlement.com to get one. You will be required to sign a declaration under penalty of perjury that your Treo 600 or Treo 650 smartphone was repaired or replaced at least twice and you will be required to provide documentation for at least one of the repairs or replacements.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Cash Rebate: The claim form for a cash rebate must be postmarked on or before July 28, 2008 and received by Palm no more than 21 days thereafter.

Right of Repair: If the warranty on your device has already expired by the Effective Date, the right of repair is valid for 120 days from the Effective Date. If the warranty on your device is still in effect on the Effective Date, the right of repair will extend for 120 days beyond the expiration of that warranty.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?
If you don't want a cash rebate or to obtain a repair, and you don't want to be legally bound by the settlement, you must postmark your request to exclude yourself by April 7, 2008, or you won't be able to sue, or continue to sue, Palm, Inc. about the legal claims in this case. If you exclude yourself, you can't get a payment from this settlement. If you stay in the Class, you may object to the settlement. Objections must be received by April 7, 2008. The detailed notice describes how to exclude yourself or object. The Court will hold a hearing in this case (In re Palm Treo 600 and 650 Litigation, Master Case No. C-05-03774-RMW) on May 2, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. to consider whether to approve the settlement and attorneys' fees and expenses totaling no more than $1,554,000 and incentive payments to the named Plaintiffs in the aggregate amount of $21,000. You may appear at the hearing, but you don't have to. To obtain a full notice and claim form, and for more details, go to www.palzasettlement.com or send an e-mail to palza.settlement@palm.com, or write to Designated Co-Lead Counsel, Ralph M. Stone, Shalov Stone Bonner and Rocco, 485 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1000, New York, NY 10018.

(Photo: brianc)

Maker of Thomas toys settles suit on lead paint [Chicago Tribune]

Here's where you go to file a claim. Find out more details at diamondsclassaction.com.

CCFsettlement [via Snopes] (Thanks to Takkun!)
Credit Card Settlement [NYT]
(Photo: mariachily)

Lawrence Mann and Robert Stewart Et. Al vs Toshiba (PDF) Class action complaint filed against Toshiba for selling a 1080p output TVs that was incapable of receiving 1080p signal from any source.
Cooper v Samsung (PDF) for the same reason as above. The lawyers at SZAFERMAN, LAKIND, BLUMSTEIN, BLADER & LEHMANN represent both plaintiffs. Pretty clearcut. You can't advertise a product as having an ability that it doesn't.

Patterson v. Denny's Corporation (PDF) A class action against Denny's for non-compliance with the FACTA legislation requiring no credit card information be fully printed on a receipt— in this case, the expiration date. Companies have had since 2003 to come into compliance with this provision. With identity theft on the rise, it's important for companies to be held accountable for not following legally mandated credit card security procedures.

(Photo: Getty)

Shroyer v. New Cingular Wireless Docket No. 06-55964 [PDF] (Thanks to Fred!)

So we're always happy to see someone bring the bastards to court. That lone avatar of a just cause? Leonard Aron, who bravely fights against U-Haul's outrageous top-up fee, where they charge you for not filling the tank... even if you have. Class action lawsuit time.

Here's an example sent to Consumer Affairs: "I used the truck for 20 miles ... On the way to returning the truck I have filled up $9.37 worth of gas, which equates to more than 3 gallons of gas. When I returned the truck (the manager) claimed that I have not filled up the gas and charged me an extra $50 — $20 for gas (4 gallons at $5), and $30 service fee."

Of course, U-Haul's right to bilk you is in your contract, so it must be legal!

U-Haul Gets Hauled Into Court [Consumer Affairs]

Needless to say, the lawsuit is about the colossal act of incompetence that breached the privacy of practically everyone who'd ever used AOL and led to hilarious YTMDs like this one

The attorney who filed the suit says that AOL should at least be trying to shut down the mirror sites of the search database and be forbidden from collecting data like this in the future. Given that AOL obviously can't be trusted with it, that seems pretty reasonable.

AOL Subscribers Sue Over Release of Search Data [Komotv.com]

Forcing the government to confirm or deny the transaction would violate laws against divulging state secret, U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly said.

Furthermore, since the activists could not prove that their individual records might be among the supposed records turned over, they had no basis for a lawsuit.

Let's see....

in order to prove their records were compromised, the activists need access to the records. However, the records are state secrets. Whether the records exist in a compromised state is a state secret. Whether or not there is a state secret... is also a state secret.

Ten thousand spoons and all you need is a hole in the head.

He writes, "I was placed on hold for more than 20 minutes while she reached a resolutions representative to honor my records request, which was ultimately denied. I was told I would have to acquire a subpoena to access my own billing records, because they are the property of Cingular."

ZeroEgo was so pissed he wrote 988 words about it, all while on hold.

"On Hold" [Zero Ego's Livejournal] (Thanks to Aaron!)

Previously: HOWTO: Join The Cingular Lawsuit

• had to pay an early termination fee
• an $18 upgrade fee
• buy a new plan
• buy a new phone
• or experienced degraded service and coverage

You may be eligible to join a class-action lawsuit against the wireless provider.

Find out how, after the jump...

To join the lawsuit, fill out the form at Consumer Watchdog here. You should also send an email to one of the two firms representing consumer plaintiffs, Cotchett Pitre Simon & McCarthy and Stritmatter, Kessler, Whelan, Withey and Coluccio.

It would also be good to familiarize yourself with the case's factsheet and even peruse a copy of the lawsuit.

Bruce Simon of CPS&M says, "The response has already been enormous and we are taking everyone's information at the moment for follow up in the future."

Consumer Watchdog's site says the next move is that Cingular will probably try get the case dismissed because the customers signed an "arbitration agreement" upon signup voiding their right to go to court. However, the representatives for the plaintiffs feel this agreement is unenforceable

You can also sign up for Consumer Watchdog's legal updates at the top right of their site and keep abreast as the lawsuit develops.

The most important step has already been taken, though, in the creation of a catchy logo to represent Cingular's nefariousness.

Previously: Cingular Lowers Bar On AT&T Customer's Necks

The cellphone company assured federal regulators that the merger would be seamless, and it should've been, only requiring swapping out SIM cards. Instead, the lawsuit alleges Cingular tore apart the AT&T network, forced AT&T customers to switch equipment and pay upgrade costs. Those who wished to escape were slapped with a $175 early termination fee.

"Cingular promised AT&T customers it would 'raise the bar'; instead, it lowered service quality, forced AT&T customers to move to Cingular, and then raised prices," said Harvey Rosenfield, a lawyer for the nonprofit Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.

For its part, Cingular has refuted the suit's claims in their entirety and is considering a countersuit.

Perhaps now everyone will begin to see the wisdom of using VoTc? (Voice Over Tin Can).

Previously:
• AT&T No Longer Exists
• AT&T Puts Cingular Out Of Its Misery
• Cingular CSR Speaks: "Having worked there I would never do business with them."
• More AT&T Wireless Customers Boned by Cingular

UPDATE: The firms representing consumers are SKWW&C and CPS&M .

If you bought any of the affected albums on this list, you can get three free albums or one free album plus $7.50. Sony will also distribute a patch to remove the malware from consumer's computers.

Electronic Frontier Foundation legal director Cindy Cohn told The Register, "This settlement gets music fans what they thought they were buying in the first place: music that will play on all their electronic devices without installing sneaky software."

Yay. It's over. We can all go back to safely buying crappy Sony music.

Having always wanted to be part of something bigger than himself or his plush winter coat, he jumped for joy.

Then he read that for his part he would only get, "a voucher good for 25% off the non-discounted daily rental rate for a future car rental in the state of Missouri..."

After that, Jeremy stopped jumping and wrote us a letter, posted after the jump...

He writes:

"So let's do some math here. The "non-discounted" rate for an economy class car (think Kia Rio) is in the range of 30 to 45 dollars. Let's assume that we low ball the price and use 30 dollars. 30 dollars minus 25 percent is 22.50 a day.

This same class of car can be found on websites like expedia.com for 19.99 a day. I was trying to think REAL hard to figure out how this voucher could possibly get me a good deal.

I do not believe there is a way... if you think of one please let me know...

I really want to contact the lawyers associated with this case but that would cost me 39 cents for a stamp.

Maybe the readers would like to write the lawyers a letter?

Class counsel:
Jeffrey J Lowe Esq.
Jeffrey J Lowe PC
8234 Forsyth, Suite 1100
St Louis, MO 63105

AND

John S. Steward, Esq.
225 S. Meramec, Suite 925
St. Louis, MO 63105

As far as I can tell from the mumbo jumbo of this letter the class counsel can ask for up to $975,000 in lawyer fees and up to $5,000 in class representative compensation. $975,000 could rent you a TON of Kia Rios"

Attorneys Bruce Afran and Carl Mayer filed the lawsuit in federal district court in Manhattan. Afran said of the NSA program, "This is the largest and most vast intrusion of civil liberties we've ever seen in the United States."

The lawsuit contends the sale violated the Telecommunications Act and the Constitutional amendment against unreasonable search and seizure. (Any legal beagles out there want to find the filings source documents?)

Any citizen can sign up for the class action lawsuit. All they have to do is say that Verizon made them to spill hot coffee on their lap.

"Verizon Sued for $5 Billion" [All Headlines News via Digg]