The Consumer Federation of California Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing consumer rights through education and research. The CFC Education Foundation is sponsored by the Consumer Federation of California.

Consumer Protection Guides

Consumer Finance

What are Earned Wage Access (EWA) Products?

Also known as income-based advances, these products offer consumers a way to get advance payment on a portion of their unpaid earned wages or salary for a fee. These advancements are often classified as short-term loans as they are to be repaid on pay day by the employee. Many people rely on these services to cover for unexpected expenses or other basic necessities. However, consumer advocates warn that frequent use of these services can result in a debt trap, much like payday loans, with interest rates up to 400% (Iacurci, 2024).

Información en Español – ¿Qué son los productos acceso al salario ganado?

What is Subprime Lending and how to avoid predatory lenders?

Subprime lending: Consumers who have a credit score lower than 580 are considered “high risk” and therefore may only qualify for loans with higher interest rates, and often additional hidden or “junk” fees. These loans are known as subprime loans. These loans are meant to be short term and, in some cases, can help consumers raise their credit score if repaid on time.

Información en Español – ¿Qué son los préstamos subprime y cómo evitar a los prestamistas abusivos?

Cryptocurrency Finance: Understand the Digital Financial Assets Law and the protections it offers YOU

In 2023, the Consumer Federation of California(CFC) sponsored Assembly Bill 39 and supported Senate Bill 401, both of which were signed into law by Governor Newsom in October of that year, creating the Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL). Through this law, various consumer protections were enacted, including granting regulatory oversight to California’s Department of Financial Protection and Innovations (DFPI), as well as safeguards to help prevent fraud for consumers who decide to engage in these types of transactions.

Información en Español – Finanzas con Criptomonedas: Comprenda la ley de Activos Financieros Digitales y las protecciones que le ofrece

Useful Consumer Resources

California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) – Provides consumers with information on their rights and tools to search for licensed professional or businesses regulated by the DCA.

Licensee search
File a complaint against a business or professional
Consumer resources
(800) 952 – 5210
Email: DCA@dca.ca.gov

California Department of Justice (DOJ)

File a complaint
- Complaint Referral Table
Consumer information
Consumer Alerts or Recent Consumer Actions
(800) 952 – 5225

California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation (DFPI) – Regulates companies and individuals offering financial products to help prevent and investigate financial fraud and abuse.

Submit a complaint
Search Regulated Entities
Consumer Education
Sacramento: (916) 327 – 7585
San Francisco: (415) 972 – 8565
Los Angeles: (213) 897 – 2085
San Diego: (619) 610 – 2093

Privacy Protection

Your Medical Privacy Rights

Your medical record serves as the central repository for planning care and documenting communication between you, your health care provider, and other professionals contributing to your care. Doctor-patient confidentiality protects what is discussed between you and your physician, but does not ensure the privacy of the patient’s medical records.

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What Should I Know About Privacy Policies?

One way to protect your privacy is to learn how an organization will use your personal information before you give it out. Today most financial institutions, insurance companies, heath care providers, government agencies, and e-commerce Web sites give their customers and visitors information on their privacy practices. California law requires commercial Web sites that collect personal information on California consumers to post a privacy policy and to comply with it. The law also applies to online services, such as Google+ or Facebook.

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Smartphone Privacy

Smartphones and tablet devices are handy, but they pose unparalleled privacy issues, storing sensitive user information such as call logs, text messages and even our whereabouts. And some developers in the thriving app industry worry more about releasing the newest product than about the privacy issues that their products may cause.

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Identity Theft

In 2013, there were 13.1 million cases of identity theft. That’s a new victim every two seconds. Learn more about the methods fraudsters use to obtain your personal information, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you’ve been hit.

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Online Privacy Protection

Online privacy comes from knowing how to shield your activity on the Web from outside predators who would use your personal information for financial gain. Stopping them takes awareness and effort. The solution lies in taking a multilevel approach of preventing, detecting and responding effectively to a variety of cyber attacks.

Related news and commentary from CFC:

CFC-Sponsored Ban Against Computer Spyware Signed Into Law (September 2014)
SB 383: Battle For Privacy In Online Purchases Falters After 2-Year Fight (August 2014)
Bill Would Restore Online Privacy (January 2014)
Mixed Results On Privacy Legislation (2013)

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Your Cell Phone Records Are for Sale

Right now, strangers can buy a list of all your cell phone calls. And we mean anyone! Criminals, stalkers, suspicious spouses, nosy neighbors, prying employers, private investigators, your co-workers – anyone with a few extra bucks to spend! With that in mind, here are:

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