CFC Supports AB 714 ( Atkins) – Pre-Enrollment in Exchange and Medi-Cal
This measure implements and improves on the provisions of federal health reform by maximizing the uninsured and underinsured enrolled in the Exchange and Medi-Cal on January 1, 2014 when the Exchange opens and Medi-Cal Eligibility expands to cover adults without children under 18 at home. Read More ›
Storing customer’s ZIP code violates California law, high court rules
by Denny Walsh and Rick Daysog, Sacramento Bee
Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California, hailed the ruling as “a great victory for consumer protection and common sense. It’s nonsensical that a retailer can collect bits and pieces, turn them over to a data aggregation service and have a field day selling the information and otherwise using it for business purposes.” Read More ›
Retailers Violate Law by Recording ZIP Codes, High Court Says
by Kate Moser, The Recorder
The Consumer Federation of California and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse weighed in on Pineda’s behalf and were represented by Todd Atkins at Atkins & Davidson in San Diego. Read More ›
Protecting Your Private, Prescription Drug Records
by Zack Kaldveer, Consumer Federation of California, Privacy Revolt
A patient’s doctor – not a third party marketing company – is the best source for informing a patient about how to manage his or her health condition. By intruding upon and confusing this relationship, this bill could have put patients’ health, as well as privacy, at risk.
Read More ›
SB 147 Fact Sheet – The Consumer Choice Fire Protection Act
Halogenated fire retardants have been linked to endocrine disruption, neurological and developmental impairments, cancer, reduced IQ, learning disabilities such as attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity, infertility, and a host of other health disorders. Read More ›
Utility can’t find key gas records, official says
by Associated Press, Boston Globe
Peevey’s announcement came a day after San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, state Senator Mark Leno, The Utility Reform Network, and the Consumer Federation of California said state investigators were operating largely in private. Read More ›
CFC Editorial: Big Supreme Court Victory for “Made in the USA”
by Richard Holober, Consumer Federation of California, California Progress Report
This is an important victory for consumer access to the courts in cases where businesses engage in false advertising. It is also a big win for American workers, and for the high standards that must apply to the “Made in the USA” label. Read More ›
SmartMeters deserve careful scrutiny
by JUDY VICK, New Times
The Consumer Federation of California attacked investor-owned utilities for trying to avoid regulatory liability for abuses of private consumer data taken from SmartMeters by non-utility third parties. Read More ›
Insurers concerned about new commish
by Roberto Ceniceros, Business Insurance
A list of supporters for the commissioner’s campaign shows the Democrat garnered endorsements from organizations such as the Consumer Federation of California…who is known for his battles with insurers on behalf of consumers when he twice served as California insurance commissioner. Read More ›
Simitian earns perfect mark on annual consumer scorecard
by Silvar, Los Altos Town Crier
“Senator Simitian has been a steadfast advocate for California consumers,” said Richard Holober, executive director of the CFC. “Both through the legislation he has authored and other bills he has supported, he has consistently fought for consumer rights.” Read More ›
Legal challenge to smart meters
by JUDY VICK, California Coast News
Consumer groups are concerned the wireless smart meter grid will not be secure. In a recent regulatory filing, the Consumer Federation of California attacked the position of investor owned utilities seeking to avoid regulatory liability for abuses of private consumer data taken from smart meters by non-utility third parties. Read More ›
ConsumerWatch: The Hidden Costs of Gift Cards
by Consumer Watch, CBS KPIX 5
Watch Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California,discuss the hidden costs of gift cards on CBS’s ConsumerWatch. Read More ›
KGO Afternoon Interviews CFC’s Richard Holober on Proposed FCC Cell Phone Rules
by Bret Burkhart and Chris Brecher , KGO Afternoon News
The proposed rules, which could be approved early next year, would require wireless carriers to send customers a voice or text alert when they are about to exceed their voice, data or text limits. A similar warning would come when a user is about to incur hefty international roaming charges. Read More ›