Mobile payments could make spending sprees too easy + MORE May 16th

OTTAWA – Technology is making buying things easier, but credit counsellors want you to remember that paying for them is still as difficult as ever.
Jeff Schwartz, executive director of Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada, says the ease with which consumers can buy things these days could spell trouble for those who have difficulty controlling their spending.
“It is allowing many consumers to avoid the harsh reality of what is going on inside their bank account or even inside their wallet,” he said.
With the expansion of Apple Pay this week, Canadians added yet another way to quickly pay for their purchases without even opening their wallets.
3 easy ways to track spending and start saving »
The addition of the big Canadian banks to the service adds to the already numerous ways shoppers have, including Interac Flash, MasterCard Tap & Go, Visa payWave, and American Contactless Payments, to pay for things quickly.
Schwartz said the physical aspect of pulling out your wallet and taking the cash out to make a purchase is very different from using a phone…

Sportsnet.caRaptors deserve a lot of credit for their resilienceSportsnet.caIt was a moment 15 years in the making. Demons were exercised. For the first time in franchise history, the Toronto Raptors are headed for a date with the King and a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals. headshot Jeff Blair May 16, 2016, 10:02 AM.Kyle Lowry the star that shines in Game 7: FeschukToronto StarCan any of the Toronto Raptors stop LeBron James? Five questions for the Eastern Conference finalNational PostRaptors finally showed what they're capable ofTSNToronto Sun -The Globe and Mail (subscription) -Raptors Republic -Yahoo Canada Sportsall 929 news articles »

Stabbing victims, clockwise from top left: Zackariah Rathwell, Kaitlin Perras, Lawrence Hong, Joshua Hunter and ​Jordan Segura. (Photo credit: Facebook, Aran Wilkinson-Blanc)
Five stories in the news today:
TRIAL BEGINS FOR MAN ACCUSED IN STABBING DEATHS
A trial begins in Calgary today of a man facing five counts of first degree murder in the stabbing deaths of five people at a house party in 2014. Matthew de Grood, 24, is the son of a high-ranking Calgary police officer. A psychiatric review determined de Grood was fit to stand trial, because he understands the charges against him and is able to communicate with his lawyer. His attorney, however, says he isn’t ruling out a defence of not criminally responsible by reason of a mental disorder.
SENTENCING ARGUMENTS BEGIN FOR TORONTO COP
Lawyers for Toronto police officer James Forcillo intend to argue today that he should be sentenced to house arrest after being convicted of attempted murder in the death of a teenager on an empty street car…

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court says an Internet search site that posted false information about people can be sued only if the errors caused actual harm.
The 6-2 ruling on Monday is a narrow victory for the search service Spokeo.com and other technology firms seeking to avoid costly litigation over the publication of inaccurate data.
The justices threw out an appeals court ruling in favour of Thomas Robins, a Virginia resident who sued Spokeo after it posted an online profile about him that was riddled with errors about his age, education, employment and marital status. But the high court sent the case back for further proceedings, giving Robins another chance to show exactly how he was harmed.
Robins sued under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, which requires consumer reporting agencies to offer accurate information. The law allows victims to collect damages of up to $1,000 each without having to show the inaccuracies caused any specific harm.
Writing for the majority, Justice Samuel Alito said a person cannot show an injury simply by claiming a “bare procedural violation” of the credit reporting statute…

Lounging by the pool, vacations and summer camp are all part of the beauty of summer. But plan ahead so extra costs don’t cause you to rack up credit card debt