Jan 24, 2025 | Archive, KLF Blog
Scam Alert: QR Code on an Unexpected Package //
Imagine receiving an unexpected package addressed to you. Inside, there’s a note claiming it’s a gift, but it doesn’t mention who sent it. Instead, it asks you to scan a QR code to find out more or to get return instructions. While this might seem intriguing, it could be a tactic to steal your personal information.
If you’re confident it’s a genuine gift, you can keep it. However, be aware that such scenarios could involve a new variation of a brushing scam.
The Risks of Scanning Unknown QR Codes
Scanning the QR code might redirect you to a phishing website designed to harvest your sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details. Worse, it could install malware on your device, providing hackers with unauthorized access.
Steps to Take If You Scanned the QR Code
If you mistakenly scanned the QR code and provided your credentials, act quickly:
Monitoring and Safeguarding Against Identity Theft
If you suspect misuse of your personal information, follow these steps:
- Obtain your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com and review it for unfamiliar accounts or activities. Free weekly reports are available.
- Check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
- Consider additional measures to protect your identity, such as freezing your credit or placing a fraud alert on your report.
What to Do If Your Identity Is Compromised
If identity theft occurs, report the incident and create a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.
Proactive Tips for Staying Secure
What About the Package?
By law, you are generally allowed to keep unordered packages as gifts. Learn more about your rights when you get unordered merchandise here.
Source: Consumer.ftc.gov
ADDRESS
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.
2001 Market Street
Suite 2500
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Nov 21, 2022 | Archive, Blog
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating consumer claims on behalf of owners and lessees of Mercedes vehicles equipped with an M274 engine.
The investigation concerns an alleged defect regarding the pistons of the M274 engine which are prone to premature failure – an issue that may require the costly replacement of the entire engine.
According to the NHTSA:
The Office of Defects Investigation (“ODI”) received a petition dated April 29, 2022 requesting investigation of engine piston damage attributed to improperly sized wrist pins in the M274 engine found in the owner’s 2015 C300.
The petitioner reported that their MY 2015 Mercedes C300 vehicle lost power while driving at highway speeds accompanied by shaking, white smoke from the exhaust, and a burnt oil smell. Subsequent diagnosis at the dealership identified a cracked piston.
The petition alleges that all Mercedes-Benz models equipped with a variation of the M274 engine should be included in the evaluation and cites Mercedes TSB LI03.10-P-060916.
For additional information, please click NHTSA letter.
Owners and Lessess of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, such as the Mercedes 2015 C300, equipped with an M274 engine are encouraged to contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C., Michael Yarnoff, Esq., (215) 792-6676, Ext. 804, [email protected], [email protected], for a free, no-obligation evaluation of potential legal claims.
Apr 5, 2022 | Archive, Blog
Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Elecric Vehicles (2017-2018) – FCA US, LLC’s Alleged Failure to Disclose a Defect Causing Certain Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles to Explode and Catch Fire Focus of Class Action.
On March 21, 2022, a class action lawsuit was filed against FCA US, LLC, as a result of FCA US, LLC’s alleged failure to disclose a uniform and widespread defect causing its 2017 to 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles to explode and catch fire.
FCA US, LLC has, according to the complaint, asked owners of 2017 to 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles to abstain from plugging in their minivans and parking near buildings and other cars after its internal investigation uncovering 12 fires among the Chrysler Pacifica minivans.
Are there any recalls on the Chrysler Pacifica?
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (2017-2018) vehicles were subject to a recall in February 2022.
According to the recall, a vehicle fire can occur when parked, even with the ignition in the “Off” position. The recall notice advised owners not to recharge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until they are repaired. The recall notice stated that letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2022, and second letters will be mailed once the remedy is available.
Mar 24, 2022 | Archive
Owners and Lessees of Honda CR-V, Honda Civic (2019-2021) and Honda Accord (2021) Vehicles Equipped with “Earth Dreams” 1.5L Direct Injection Engines May Have Legal Claims.
On March 23, 2022, a class action lawsuit was filed in federal court against American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and Honda Motor Company, Ltd..
According to the class action complaint, Honda, despite its longstanding knowledge of a material and manufacturing defect, has failed to disclose to Plaintiffs and other consumers that the “Class Vehicles” [i.e., Honda CR-V, Honda Civic (2019-2021) and Honda Accord (2021)] are predisposed to an engine defect that causes fuel contamination of the engine oil, resulting in oil dilution, decreased oil viscosity, premature wear and ultimate failure of the engines, engine bearings and other internal engine components and an increased cost of maintenance.
Premature failures, according to the class action complaint, also can result in stalling events and other dangerous situations for Class Vehicle occupants and others on the road.
Owners and Lessees of Honda CR-V, Honda Civic (2019-2021) and Honda Accord (2021) Vehicles Equipped with “Earth Dreams” 1.5L Direct Injection Engines
If you owned or leased one of the Class Vehicles, you are encouraged to contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C., Michael Yarnoff, Esq., (215) 792-6679, Ext. 804, [email protected], [email protected], for a free, confidential consultation and no-obligation evaluation of potential legal claims.
Mar 23, 2022 | Archive
Class Action Lawsuit Filed On Behalf of All Illinois Residents Whose Biometric Information or Biometric Identifiers, In the Form of Scans of Facial Geometry, Was Collected, Used, or Stored by Clarifai.
On March 21, 2022, a class action complaint was filed in federal court against Clarifai, Inc. regarding “the surreptitious misappropriation and misuse of potentially hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents’ biometric information by a tech startup named Clarifai.”
According to the class action complaint, OkCupid user photos were provided to Clarifai, and “Clarifai used those images to train or refine its facial recognition software, a process that necessarily extracts biometric data in the form of maps of facial geometry.”
The complaint alleges that “Clarifai’s brazen disregard for individual privacy rights violates Illinoisans’ rights under [the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”)], which was specifically designed to protect Illinois residents from this kind of underhanded behavior.”
According to the lawsuit, “[i]n order to give Clarifai a leg up over the competition, thereby hedging the bet he made when investing in Clarifai, Corazon’s co-founder[,] Max Krohn[,] surreptitiously provided OkCupid’s database of user photographs to Clarifai.”
Clarfai, allegedly, “mined this enormous cache of photographs for OkCupid users’ biometric data and used it to improve its tools’ capabilities,” and “OkCupid users were given neither notice nor any opportunity to consent to Clarifai’s collection, use, and storage of their biometric identifiers.”
Do You Believe Your Biometric Information May Have Been Illegally Collected, Stored, Used, Disclosed, Transmitted Or Disseminated?
Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”) provides a private right of action in an Illinois state circuit court, or as a supplemental claim in federal district court, against an offending party. Among other relief, BIPA provides for liquidated damages of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater, against a private entity that negligently violates a provision of BIPA, as well as liquidated damages of $5,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater, against a private entity that intentionally or recklessly violates a provision of BIPA.
If you believe your biometric data has been illegally collected, stored, used, disclosed, transmitted or disseminated, please contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C., Michael Yarnoff, Esq., (215) 792-6676, Ext. 804, [email protected], [email protected], for a free, confidential consultation and no-obligation evaluation of potential legal claims.
Mar 20, 2022 | Archive
Owners and Lessees of 2019-2022 Volkswagen Atlas, Golf, Jetta, Tiguan and Taos Vehicles With Wiring Harness Defects May Have Legal Claims.
Owners and lessees of 2019-2022 Volkswagen Atlas, Golf, Jetta, Tiguan, and Taos vehicles should be aware that a class action lawsuit was filed on March 18, 2022 on behalf of a class of past and present owners and lessees of allegedly defective 2019-2022 Volkswagen Atlas, Golf, Jetta, Tiguan and Taos vehicles (collectively, the “Class Vehicles”) designed, manufactured, marketed, distributed, sold, warranted, and serviced by Defendant Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (“VW” or “Volkswagen”).
According to the class action complaint, VW has been aware that the subject Class Vehicles suffer from a dangerous manufacturing and/or design defect that causes the Class Vehicles’ door wiring harnesses to fail and results in, among other things, the Class Vehicles erratically applying the emergency brakes, opening and closing the windows, and displaying numerous error messages and emitting warning noise.
The wiring harness defect is, according to the complaint, a serious safety hazard that substantially increases the likelihood of a vehicle collision and injury to drivers, passengers and pedestrians, and prevents the vehicles from providing safe or reliable transportation.
