Hertz agrees to government oversight of recalled cars
by Gary Stoller, USA Today
Rosemary Shahan, president of the consumer group, says, “It’s unprecedented for a major rental car company to actively support a new federal law that would require the industry to ground unsafe, recalled cars until they’re fixed.”
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Google’s tracking sets off another privacy debate
by James Temple, San Francisco Chronicle
Google and several other advertising companies are bypassing the privacy settings in Apple’s Safari browser, according to a report from a Stanford University researcher that set off a heated debate on Friday. Read More ›
Calif. weak on oversight of for-profit colleges, advocacy groups say
by Erica Perez, California Watch
…for-profit colleges have the highest share of students who default on their student loans. The sector enrolls 1 in 10 college students in California, but receives more Cal Grant dollars from the state than all the community colleges combined. Read More ›
Consumer Groups Denounce Attack on Consumer Watchdog
Consumer Watchdog is a courageous and remarkably successful advocate for consumer rights. An attack dog website was launched today that serves as a preview of the campaign against Consumer Watchdog we anticipate from George Joseph, the billionaire chairman of Mercury Insurance. Read More ›
Foreclosure mediation could save billions
by Kendall Taggart, California Watch
Thousands of Californians have lost their homes during the housing crisis, wreaking havoc on families, as well as state and local government property tax revenue. But there is an inexpensive solution, according to a report released last week by the National Consumer Law Center. Read More ›
SF Audit Finds Irregularities in 99 Percent of Foreclosures
by Ryan Jacobs, The Bay Citizen
An audit of hundreds of foreclosures in San Francisco uncovered “one or more irregularities” in 99 percent of the loans, according to a study released Wednesday by the city’s assessor-recorder, Phil Ting.
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Making a difference in the lives of immigrants and others who send money abroad
by Richard Cordray, Director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Better Disclosures: With this rule, remittance transfer providers must generally disclose the exchange rate, any fees related to the remittance, the amount of money that will be delivered abroad, and the date the money will be available. Read More ›
Domestic Spy Drones Approved by Congress
by Zack Kaldveer, CFC Communications Director, Privacy Revolt
In the final analysis, if we include in our definition of “safe” the concept of “safe” from government intrusiveness and corporate profiteering off fear peddling, I would argue these machines make us less secure, not more. Read More ›
For California, Attorney General Insisted on Better Terms in Foreclosure Deal
by SHAILA DEWAN, New York Times
Kamala D. Harris, the attorney general of California, could have derailed a nationwide settlement with big banks over home foreclosure abuses when she walked out of talks last September. Read More ›
CFC Supports AB 52 (Feuer) – Health Insurance Rate Approval
AB 52 would bring California in line with 35 other states that require some form of prior health insurance rate approval by state regulators. Read More ›
Change in ‘Made in USA’ label debated
by Michael Gardner, San Diego Union Tribune
The labels are “beneficial to consumers who care where their products are made to have truthful information when determining what to buy,” Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California…The federal law is weaker so we are better off not changing a good standard.’ Read More ›
Privacy Threats The Constitution Can’t Protect You From
by Zack Kaldveer, CFC Communications Director, Privacy Revolt
We would do well to – sooner rather than later – recognize the inherent and fundamental value that privacy provides ANY claimed democracy. Without one there can not be the other. Read More ›
As anti-piracy bills stall, activists switch focus to web tracking legislation
by G.W. Schulz, California Watch
…digital rights activists might now be turning their attention to a lesser-noticed bill aimed at requiring Internet companies to store identifying information about their customers. Read More ›