A New York woman, Margery Tannenbaum, was re-arrested today for further charges due to her posting a Craigslist ad under the guise of her nine year old daughter’s rival that said, “I need a little affection”.  Of course, this resulted in a number of phones being made to the child of those who stood ready to provide this perverted affection.

Her lawyer declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but said that his client is a good person.  In the meantime, another mother across town is surely living in fear of the phone ringing and probably taking monumental efforts to protect her little girl.  Tannenbaum pleaded not guilty when she stood before a judge in May and once again today when she was charged with child endangerment.  She was released without having to post bail.

In a world where kids go missing every day, many of whom are featured on nightly news programs, to purposely place an electronic ad simply because of a rivalry between nine year olds is unthinkable.  Whether or not this woman did it, the ad exists and someone had to have placed it - and it certainly wasn’t the child.  Because the two families happen to be neighbors, it’s doubtful there’ll be a block party this Fourth of July.

Now for the kicker - Tannenbaum was once a social worker and is a licensed psychologist.

The family who was the target of this Craigslist campaign has said that at no time did their daughter answer any of the incoming calls from the twenty-plus men who answered the ad.  Tannenbaum apparently used her own email address and then replied to those interested with the family’s phone number.

This comes on the same day another meddling mother was in the headlines.  This time, the cyberbullying mom, Lori Drew, who relentlessly harassed a young girl on MySpace had her conviction thrown out by a federal judge.  This woman’s hoaxes are what many say led to a 13 year old girl’s suicide.  For now, she’s no longer facing a prison sentence of up to three years nor a $300,000 fine, which her lawyer argued was excessive considering her convictions were misdemeanors.

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A New York man has had his fair share of rejection, courtesy of an Match.com, an online dating site where singles (or not) are able to browse countless profiles in the hopes of finding Mr. Wonderful or Miss Perfect.  Sean McGinn has filed a lawsuit against the site and says the company incorporates deceptive business practices.  Apparently, there are many profiles that are considered “free subscriptions” and users are severely limited in what he or she can and can’t do on the site.  One of those limitations includes not being able to respond to an interested party.  McGinn kept choosing potential love interests, unaware they weren’t full members via the paid subscription and he now says this has caused emotional damage.  He says it’s affected his self-esteem and Match.com should have at least let everyone in on the inability of some users to socialize via the site’s messaging program.

But is this any different than life outside virtual parameters?  How many of us have pulled the “fake phone number” play?  How many of us have shown interest and been met with phone calls not returned by our intended?  The truth is, rejection is just a part of life - in all aspects of our lives - professional and private.  You win some, you lose some.  Still, McGinn insists he’s been the victim of way too many rejections and if he’d known that some of those potential matches could have worked out, had the other party opted for a paid subscription, then perhaps his confidence wouldn’t have taken the hit.

He’s now wondering how many matches he’s missed out on.  I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing this lawsuit probably won’t help his love life either.  A tough skin is required in real life if any of us expect to get through our days and many are turned off by the possibility of having to walk on eggshells in an effort to avoid inflicting “profound personal anguish and suffering” on those around us, which is what his  lawsuit further claims.  The monetary amount he’s suing for hasn’t been released yet, or even if he’s suing for money; since the suit was filed only this week, it’ll be awhile before the outcome is known.

For more information on Canadian Lawyers for any of your legal matters visit http://www.lawyerahead.ca/

As New York begins to tighten the screws to unscrupulous debt collectors and collection agencies, stories are beginning to emerge about those who are aggressively being pursued and even threatened.

Many collection agencies across the country are incorporating a number of illegal tactics to collect from consumers who’ve found themselves against the wall and unable to pay everything from mortgages to automobiles, credit cards and even medical bills.  There are several in New York who are under investigation

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for filing lawsuits without proper notification to the consumers.  It’s estimated in New York alone, over $800 million dollars has been awarded to collection agencies because consumers aren’t showing up for court.  It’s why consumers aren’t showing up that has lawyers and state governments concerned.

There have been accusations of threats to have people deported or even arrested if they don’t make their payments to banks, finance companies and even medical facilities.  Many of these collection agencies aren’t even licensed.  Not surprisingly, collection agency complaints have remained at the top of consumer complaints for years.

There are regulations that must be followed in every state by those attempting to collect money owed them.  There are “blackout” times when collection agencies can’t contact debtors and you can request they not contact you at your place of employment.  Further, collection agencies have no authority to arrest anyone for non payment nor can they have anyone deported.  Government benefits are hands-off too.  Creditors can’t threaten you with physical harm or harm to your property.  They cannot threaten your reputation with promises to contact your neighbors, relatives or employers.  They can’t tell you they’re attorneys or members of law enforcement and if they haven’t filed a civil suit, they can’t tell you they have.  Collection agencies or creditors can’t send postcards through the U.S. mail that has information others can readily see.  Anything sent in an envelope must not reveal its contents.

If you’ve experienced any of this, you have rights and should contact an attorney in your area to discern those rights.  A lawyer can tell you exactly what your rights are, your options and alternatives you might not be aware of.