Disappearing-Card Trick
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Unwilling to rely on the goodwill of issuers, consumer advocates have begun pushing for bans on expiration dates and user fees for all the products, plus replacement if the cards are lost or stolen as well as clear avenues to get cash for unspent funds. "Until Congress acts, there's very little protection for users of bank- issued cards," says Gail Hillebrand, an attorney with Consumers Union. "If you receive a gift card, make sure you know what you're getting into."
Consumer advocates preach caveat emptor, but the Vinsons have decided to just say no. Last Christmas, Norman bought Arlene a St. John knit suit — and charged it.
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RAY KELLY, New York City Police Commissioner, on the arrest of a New Jersey man in one of the nation's most baffling missing-children cases, the disappearance more than three decades ago of 6-year-old Etan Patz.
