FTC settles case involving privacy violation on Yelp
A Federal Trade Commission settlement with a California mortgage broker who posted personal information about consumers on Yelp after they posted negative reviews of his services is a cautionary tale to businesses, which should never publicly disclose clients’ personal information. According to a Department of Justice complaint filed on behalf of the FTC, mortgage broker […]
OSHA increases maximum fines for 2020
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has boosted its maximum fines for workplace safety violations. The new maximum fine for “serious” violations is $13,500 per violation, while the top fine for “willful” or “repeated” violations is $135,000 per violation. Typically, an OSHA investigation is prompted by a worker contacting OSHA anonymously or an employer filing […]
New rule raises the bar for immigrant investors
A new rule raises the minimum amount foreigners need to invest to qualify for a U.S. green card under the EB-5 program. Created in 1992, the program grants green cards to foreign nationals who make the necessary investment in a commercial enterprise in the U.S. In addition to minimum financial benchmarks, the program stipulates that […]
‘Joint employers’ rules clarify FLSA responsibilities
New “joint employer” rules make it easier for franchise owners to understand their responsibilities under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The final rule from the Department of Labor limits situations in which franchisors and franchisees are considered “joint employers” of workers under the act. It modifies a policy, enacted under the Obama administration, that […]
5 Key Questions to Answer When Creating Your Will
If you don’t want important decisions to be left up to the state when you’re gone, you need a will. If the idea of creating a will feels like you’re tempting fate, think of it as a road map you’re leaving your family, so they don’t have to stress over making the right decisions on […]
Crisis Avoided: Connecting with Your Customers During an Emergency
Worldwide GPS technology giant Garmin became the latest high-profile business to get targeted by cyber criminals. It was widely reported that Garmin suffered a ransomware attack and ultimately paid a ransom of close to $10 million to the perpetrators. While Garmin immediately issued press releases notifying its customers and the public that it was experiencing […]
IRS Rolls Out Quicker Fix for Missing, Incorrect Stimulus Payments
Are you still waiting for your Economic Impact Payment? Did you get your payment but it was for the wrong amount? The IRS initially said you needed to wait until filing your 2020 tax return to resolve any issues with missing or incorrect Economic Impact Payments. Thanks to the prodding of the Taxpayer Advocate Service, […]
Find a Budget Method That Works
Which unique method of budgeting will work for you? You have your own unique personality, preferences and lifestyle. Likewise, how you manage and organize your finances can have its own personality, including how you budget. Here are five different methods of budgeting, each with a distinct way of helping you organize your spending and finances. […]
Great Tips to Improve Your Credit Score
You’re ready to take out a loan to buy a house, a car or get a credit card. You fill out the application and wait to hear back from your bank on its decision whether to loan you the money. And then you get the dreaded phone call. Your credit score wasn’t high enough to […]
IRS Announces Common Tax Scams
The IRS recently announced its 2020 edition of its annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams with a special emphasis on aggressive and evolving schemes related to COVID-19 tax relief, including Economic Impact Payments. Here are six of the more common scams. Phishing. Phishing refers to potential fake emails or websites looking to steal your […]
