intimidation

AmEx Keeps Bugging My Coworker To Track Me Down

AmEx Keeps Bugging My Coworker To Track Me Down

David owes a bundle to American Express, but wishes the company would keep the debt between them. Instead, he says AmEx is calling around on him, tracking down a coworker in order to harass David into paying up. [More]

Beware If You're So Bold As To Take A Camera To Downtown Disney

Beware If You're So Bold As To Take A Camera To Downtown Disney

William thought he could cruise Orlando’s Downtown Disney with a camera and not end up hassled and intimidated by security guards. He was wrong. [More]

Rent-A-Center Settles With Washington Attorney General Over
Customer Abuse Claims

Rent-A-Center Settles With Washington Attorney General Over Customer Abuse Claims

Rent-A-Center, the furniture/appliance rent-to-own company (“For When You Want to Piss Away Your Paycheck!”), has settled with the Washington Attorney General’s Office over charges that its employees harassed customers who were late on payments. Last year, the company’s employees in Washington were accused of trying to kick in one customer’s door and threatening another one with jail, among other things. [More]

Geek Squad Wouldn't Honor My Netbook's Protection Plan

Geek Squad Wouldn't Honor My Netbook's Protection Plan

(‘‘)UPDATE: Best Buy replaced the laptop. [More]

RIAA Tries To Avoid Paying Expensive Lawyers By Bullying ISPs

RIAA Tries To Avoid Paying Expensive Lawyers By Bullying ISPs

“The RIAA has sent out a letter to the ISPs telling them to stop making mistakes in identifying subscribers, and offering a ‘Pre-Doe settlement option’ — with a discount of ‘$1000 or more’ — to their subscribers, if and only if the ISP agrees to preserve its logs for 180 days. Other interesting points in the letter (PDF): the RIAA will be launching a web site for ‘early settlements,’ http://www.p2plawsuits.com”

That’s cool, just bypass the legal system with a scary letter and a website. ISPs aren’t going to fall for this, are they? Comcast? Verizon? Are you there? —MEGHANN MARCO

Florida Police Retaliate Against Investigative Journalist

Florida Police Retaliate Against Investigative Journalist

This morning we noted an item about an investigative reporter who’s being treated like a wanted criminal by the Dade County, Flordia police he’s investigating. The police posted an online BOLO, or Be on the Lookout notice, usually used to post notice about loose criminals.

Undercover Report Complains About Complaining About the Police

Undercover Report Complains About Complaining About the Police

A citizen’s watchdog group conducted an undercover investigation against south Florida police departments. 31 out of 34 departments surveyed had no forms available for citizens to register complaints against officers.