Some worried that REAL ID could lead to a national database and loss of privacy…”We are very concerned these proposals will jeopardize privacy,” said Richard Holober, executive director of the San Mateo-based Consumer Federation of California. Read More ›

Lobbyists, private citizens and students voiced their concerns over the proposed REAL ID program at a town hall-style meeting at Freeborn Hall on Tuesday…Richard Holober, a representative from the Consumer Federation of California, called the national database a “one-stop shop” for identity thieves. Read More ›

The cellphone industry ranks No. 1 among all industries in consumer complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau, said Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California. Consumers have put up with deceptive contract terms, poor phone reception, excessive early termination fees and inadequate customer service for long enough. Read More ›

Cell phone users are one step closer to winning critical consumer protections after today Read More ›

Yesterday evening, the Assembly Health Committee on a 10-5 vote passed AB 1554 by Assemblymember Dave Jones regulating health insurance premiums. Read More ›

Saying the healthcare debate here was not sufficiently focused on curbing insurers’ profits, some lawmakers and consumer groups are backing a new effort to regulate medical insurance rates the same way the state controls auto coverage costs. Read More ›

Alexis Wodtke, a staff attorney at the Consumer Federation of California, pointed out that the only component left of SFPP are the pipes in the ground. My only goal in this is to make sure the commission takes a close look at this transaction to make sure it doesn’t approve something that is going to be harmful to consumers. Read More ›

…a few weeks after the settlement was reached, Bank of America credit card customers are receiving with their monthly statements a pitch for Trilegiant’s plan that doesn’t offer a reward or rebate, but instead features a “$10 credit to your account…Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California, said this latest Trilegiant offer is fundamentally no different from the earlier pitches that led state attorneys general to take action. Read More ›

California home builders on Monday won the right to use less-expensive plastic water piping instead of copper, ending a two-decade-long battle against groups that warned of plastic’s potential health hazards. Read More ›

The Consumer Federation of California, which had vigorously opposed Chong’s confirmation, extended an olive branch after the confirmation. “The CFC hopes to set aside differences with…Chong.”…the group said it hoped the commissioner “will become more attuned to the need for protections” for consumers. Read More ›

The Consumer Federation of California opposed Commissioner Chong’s confirmation to the Public Utilities Commission, based on her disregard for consumer interests during her first year as a Commissioner. With today’s confirmation, we want to set our differences aside. Read More ›

The Consumer Federation of California, The Utility Reform Network and other groups said Commissioner Rachelle Chong’s views were too close to those of the companies she is supposed to regulate. Read More ›

At least five major consumer groups have sent highly critical letters to the Senate Rules Committee and California State Senate President pro Tem Don Perata against the confirmation of Rachelle Chong to a full term on the state’s powerful Public Utilities Commission. Read More ›