Recently in Money Category

Un poco.

I’ve been meaning to post this for a while, but just found it again recently. Apparently, some consumer database somewhere thinks I’m a low-income Spanish-speaking immigrant, because just over a year ago, I received this credit card offer. That’s right — in Spanish. At my current home address.

Luckily for them (and me), it does say at the bottom that there is an English version on the back. But the Spanish version was facing out in the mailer. And how many of you receive your junk mail with a Spanish translation on the back?

My name isn’t even right. At least I haven’t received any more Spanish-language junk mail since then. Somebody messed up in segmenting this mailing.

Needless to say, I didn’t need this card.

That’s right, you may be eligible for one or both of these refunds from class action lawsuits. (I qualify for both.) But note that the submission deadlines are coming up this month. Here are the quick details, as outlined further in this SmartMoney.com article.

• Diamond Purchases (such as for an engagement ring or other jewelry): due May 19 (less than 5 days!)

Eligibility: For those who bought at lease one piece of jewelry with a diamond in it between Jan. 1, 1994, and March 31, 2006. It’s not necessary that the jewelry be from DeBeers or one of its subsidiaries.

• Credit Card Fees on Foreign Transactions (i.e., when traveling overseas on vacation or work): due May 30

Eligibility: Payouts are for those who made at least one purchase abroad using a Visa, MasterCard or Diner’s Club credit or debit card issued by a major American bank between Feb. 1, 1996, and Nov. 8, 2006. (Firms handling the case mailed 30 million packets to likely claimants, but filing is not restricted to these consumers.) A separate suit is pending against American Express; those cards are not eligible.

You can file for both of these online.