Category Archives: Latest In Consumer News
Even Generic Drug Prices Are Going Through The Roof
by Katie Gibson, CBS Moneywatch
Generic versions of popular or vital drugs have been a partial bright spot amid a public outcry over pharmaceutical companies jacking up the prices by astronomical proportions. But generic-drug manufacturers are also getting in on the price-hiking action. Read More ›
Save Social Security! Group Accused of Scams Targets N.J. Seniors
by Karin Price Mueller, NJ.com
A complaint-laden organization that solicits donations nationwide is making a play in New Jersey. The letter had many warning signs of a scam: telling the recipient to “rush,” saying the recipient had been “specially selected” and saying the mailing was “exclusive.” Read More ›
Wells Fargo To Pay $185 million Settlement For ‘Outrageous’ Sales Culture
by James Rufus Koren, Los Angeles Times
Calling it “outrageous” and “a major breach of trust,” local and federal regulators hammered Wells Fargo & Co. for a pervasive culture of aggressive sales goals that pushed thousands of workers to open as many as 2 million accounts that bank customers never wanted. Read More ›
Companies Wary of WhatsApp Privacy Issues
by Claire Atkinson, New York Post
It’s not just privacy advocates who are freaking out over Facebook’s decision to extract user data from its popular WhatsApp messaging service. The controversial move may force business to explore other avenues beyond Facebook and WhatsApp as a way to connect with consumers more securely. Read More ›
After Reforms, CPUC Can Still Have Private Meetings With Utilities
by Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times
For years, state lawmakers have been trying to crack down on private meetings between utility companies and members of the California Public Utilities Commission after revelations that top officials and industry executives had frequent dinner dates, shared talking points and even sketched out details of the multibillion-dollar closure of a Southern California nuclear power plant during a secret rendezvous. Read More ›
The EpiPen, a Case Study in Health Care System Dysfunction
by Aaron E. Caroll, New York Times
EpiPens are a perfect example of a health care nightmare. They’re also just a typical example of the dysfunction of the American health care system. Epinephrine isn’t an elective medication. It doesn’t last, so people need to purchase the drug repeatedly. There’s little competition, but there are huge hurdles to enter the market, so a company can raise the price again and again with little pushback. Read More ›
9-In-10 Big Banks Strip Customers Of Their Right To Jury Trial
by Chris Morran, Consumerist
Researchers at the Pew Charitable Trusts … looked at the customer contracts for checking accounts at 44 of the nation’s largest banks and found that 91% of them include jury trial waivers. Read More ›
U.S. Said to Uncover Evidence of Criminal Acts in VW Probe
by Mike Spector and Aruna Viswanatha, Wall Street Journal
U.S. prosecutors and Volkswagen AG are negotiating a settlement that could result in significant financial penalties after Justice Department officials found evidence of criminal wrongdoing in the car company’s diesel-emissions cheating, said people familiar with the matter. Read More ›
Hotels In 10 States And DC May Have Been Hit By Hackers
by Associated Press, The Big Story
The affected California hotels, it said, are the Westin Pasadena, Renaissance San Diego Downtown Hotel, San Diego Marriott La Jolla, Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara and Le Meridien San Francisco. Read More ›
Cable And Telecom Firms Score A Huge Win In Their War To Kill Municipal Broadband
by Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times
“ISPs, especially Comcast and AT&T, have lobbied for these restrictions all over the country,” says Andrew Jay Schwartzman, a veteran telecommunications consumer advocate. Read More ›
What You Need To Know About New Rules Allowing Debt Collection Robocalls From Feds
by Chris Morran, The Consumerist
An initial draft of the rules released in May showed that the FCC was going to try to place limits on these calls in order to minimize their annoyance. Read More ›
PG&E Convicted Of Obstructing Blast Probe, Breaking Safety Laws
by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
Prosecutors in the criminal case initially sought a fine of up to $562 million, which they said was twice the amount PG&E saved by illegally cutting safety programs. Read More ›
PG&E, In Deal With Consumer Groups, Asks For Smaller Rate Hikes
by David R. Baker, San Francisco Chronicle
If state regulators approve, PG&E’s average monthly bill for residential customers will rise 50 cents in 2017. The utility initially proposed a monthly increase of $4. Read More ›