The new year ushers in new laws affecting consumers
by David Lazarus, Los Angeles Times
Legal weed, salary history, parental leave, minimum wages. Hundreds of new California laws took effect Monday with the beginning of the new year. For consumers, some are real standouts. Read More ›
Some retailers misled shoppers on Black Friday savings
For both Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, retailers know that shoppers love a bargain, so the bigger the savings they can claim, the more sales they will likely ring up. Telling shoppers they can save hundreds of dollars by buying now is potent advertising. Read More ›
Strangers can talk to your child through “connected” toys, investigation finds
by Rebecca Smithers, The Guardian
A consumer group is urging major retailers to withdraw a number of “connected” toys likely to be popular at Christmas, after finding security failures that it warns could put children’s safety at risk. With each of these toys, the Bluetooth connection had not been secured, meaning the researcher did not need a password, pin or any other authentication to gain access. Little technical know-how was needed to hack into the toys to start sharing messages with a child. Read More ›
FCC Unveils Plan to Repeal Net Neutrality Rules
by Alina Selyukh, KQED
The Federal Communications Commission will vote Dec. 14 on a plan to undo the landmark 2015 rules that had placed Internet service providers under the strictest-ever regulatory oversight. The vote is expected to repeal so-called net neutrality rules, which prevent broadband companies from slowing down or blocking any sites or apps, or otherwise deciding what content gets to users faster. Read More ›
CFC supports AB 713
AB 713 (Chu) ensures that residents of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) have the ability to prompt a fair and adequate review of an involuntary transfer of care. Under current law, vital factors such as the resident’s mental or physical health do not have to be considered, rending the right to dispute virtually meaningless. Read More ›
Republicans could fund tax cuts by raiding workers’ 401K savings
by Kate Cox, The Consumerist
Republicans in Congress want to pass a tax cut. That’s kind of their thing. But taxes fund things; the government uses the money. But slashing the maximum limit for 401(k) contributions is unlikely to be warmly greeted by pretty much anyone. Read More ›
Governor Brown signs CFC sponsored SB 313 to make it easy to cancel automatic renewals
“It should be as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for it,” said Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California. Read More ›
Student loan defaults increase for first time in five years
by Ashlee Kieler, Consumerist
For the first time in half a decade, the rate of education loan defaults among recent college students has risen, highlighting the struggle many recent graduates face when it comes to paying their educational debts. The default rate remained steady for students who had enrolled in public schools, while it increased for students at private and for-profit colleges. Read More ›
CFC supports AB 814, which empowers city attorneys to go after corporate wrongdoing
CFC supports AB 814 (Bloom), which gives city attorneys the power to efficiently investigate and enforce laws that protect us against corporate wrongdoing. The Wells Fargo fraudulent account scandal was initially investigated by Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer. The investigations were impeded by the inability to … Read More ›
CFC supports equal protection for private student loan holders (SB 16)
If a borrower defaults on a private student loan, a creditor can garnish up to 25% of that borrower’s income. If a borrower defaults on a federal student loan, the maximum garnishment is 15%. SB 16 (Wieckowski) will ensure that the maximum garnishment is the same for … Read More ›
CFC supports greater transparency for prescription drug pricing (SB 17)
SB 17 (Hernandez) will promote transparency by requiring pharmaceutical companies to give prior notice to purchasers before raising prices, and to provide the state with an explanation for a drug’s price increase. Read More ›
CFC supports good government and privacy protection (SB 244)
CFC supports SB 244 (Lara), which prohibits state and local agencies from collecting and recording personal information, or disclosing any record containing personal information, for any purpose other than administering public services or programs. CFC Letters 9/5/17 Assembly Floor Alert 6/19/17 letter to Assembly Judiciary 5/22/17 letter … Read More ›
CFC supports SB 66, which closes tax loophole for corporate misbehavior
SB 66 (Wieckowski) will close a tax loophole that allows corporations to write off punitive damages paid out when they violate the law. Courts inflict punitive damages when violations are especially egregious, and California should end this corporate welfare that alleviates consequences for bad behavior. CFC Letters … Read More ›