Category Archives: Uncategorized
New California fire standard can be met without toxic flame retardant chemicals
by Michael Hawthorne and Sam Roe, Chicago Tribune
California threw out the 38-year-old outdated flammability rule and approved a new one that furniture manufacturers can meet without using toxic flame retardants. Read More ›
Which company offers the best cell phone service?
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
Once again, Verizon is the highest-rated of the major carriers, but several small wireless companies were significantly better at delivering value and making their customers happy. Read More ›
Groupon launches Freebies, entering the coupon segment
by Wailin Wong, Chicago Tribune
The new national campaign will offer promotion codes and coupons that don’t require customers to buy anything upfront. Groupon says 5,000 brands including Best Buy, Reebok, Land’s End, Nordstrom and Sephora are signed up. Read More ›
Warning on chemicals in children’s furniture
by Stephanie M. Lee, San Francisco Chronicle
Children may enjoy plopping down in foam-filled chairs just their size, but a report released by several advocacy groups says those chairs may contain flame retardants that could be harmful. Read More ›
Google continues to buy its way out of privacy problems
by John Simpson, Consumer Watchdog
Google’s $17 million settlement with states attorneys general demonstrates the Internet giant’s business strategy of doing whatever it wants and then buying its way out of trouble when caught breaking the rules. Read More ›
How to prevent holiday identity theft
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
ID theft is a year-round problem, but the hectic holiday season is prime time for this crime. There are a few simple things you can do to reduce your risk of becoming a victim. Read More ›
Health measures to dominate 2014 voter ballot
by Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
A ballot teeming with health measures next November may prompt hundreds of millions of dollars in campaign spending. Read More ›
“Do Not Track Kids Act” before Congress
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
If passed, this federal bill would limit the ability of companies to collect online data about young teens, age 13 to 15. It would create an “Eraser Button” tool to remove publicly available personal information when technologically feasible. A similar state bill recently passed in California will take effect in 2015. Read More ›
Top five mistakes to avoid in donating to Typhoon Haiyan relief
by Editor, Better Business Bureau
As the public’s attention and hearts are focused on the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan, donors are advised to take steps to avoid being taken by questionable solicitors or wasting their money on poorly managed relief efforts. Read More ›
Kamala Harris shutters 10 fake Covered California websites
by Christopher Cadelago, Sacramento Bee
“These websites fraudulently imitated Covered California in order to lure consumers away from plans that provide the benefits of the Affordable Care Act,” Harris said in a prepared statement. “My office will continue to investigate and shut down these kinds of sites…” Read More ›
Black Friday & Cyber Monday scams to watch out for while shopping the sales
by Connor Adams Sheets, International Business Times
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the year’s biggest shopping events, offering a wide range of sales and deals, but scammers also know they’re great days to rip people off. Read More ›
Have a problem with a payday loan? The feds want your complaint
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has expanded its consumer complaint database to include problems with payday loans. The CFPB is the first federal agency with the regulatory authority to supervise this industry. Read More ›
Anthem Blue Cross will delay cancelling 104,000 health insurance policies
by Tracy Seipel, San Jose Mercury News
For the second time in a week, one of the largest insurance companies in California said Tuesday that it will delay canceling tens of thousands of individual health insurance policies until early next year. Read More ›