‘Default’ choices have big impact, but how to make sure they’re used ethically?
by Mary Steffel, Elanor Williams, Ruth Pogacar, The Conversation
The power of defaults to guide people’s choices has made them an extremely popular way for policymakers and marketers alike to nudge people toward a particular decision. But it has also raised questions about how to ensure that defaults are used ethically and responsibly. Read More ›
CFC supports AB 889 to limit settlements that hush up risks to public safety
CFC supports AB 889 (Stone), a bill that limits secret settlements that deprive the public of vital knowledge regarding health or safety hazards. Read our 3/21 support letter Learn more Latest Updates 4/4/17 The bill passed out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee on a 6-2 vote. It … Read More ›
CFC supports AB 550, funding for Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs
AB 550 (Reyes) will increase funding for California’s 35 local Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs, the Department of Aging’s watchdog in long-term care facilities. Consisting of paid staff and certified volunteers, the Ombudsmen are a very cost-effective way to ensure California’s long-term care facilities properly care for our … Read More ›
CFC Opposes AB 380
CFC opposes AB 380 (Dababneh), which will make it easier for car dealers to engage in fraud and other predatory practices. Read more about the bill here. Read our opposition letter.
Free trial offers
by Steve Baker, Baker Fraud Report
We are deluged with ads for various pills and potions to lose weight, improve memory, help with arthritis or back pain, eliminate wrinkles, or improve sex. What do far too many of these have in common? They advertise free trial offers with “no risk.” Read More ›
Judge’s proposed decision cuts $230 million from PG&E’s rate hike
CFC, allies win total of $369 million in cuts from PG&E’s initial rate application On February 27, an Administrative Law Judge of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a preliminary decision which would reduce PG&E’s proposed general increase by $230 million for residential and commercial ratepayers … Read More ›
Trump’s rollback of the investment conflict-of-interest rule is a direct attack on middle-class savings
by Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times
The [rollback] ostensibly is to give policymakers time to review the rule and revise it if necessary. If you think the result of this process will be to make the rule more worker-friendly and less forgiving for banks, insurance companies and stockbrokers, then you don’t know your Trump. Read More ›
Student loan servicer hit with three government lawsuits in one day
by Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, The Washington Post
A multiyear investigation into the business practices of Navient and its subsidiaries found widespread breakdowns in servicing, according to the CFPB and two state attorneys general who also filed suit. Read More ›
Senator Bob Wieckowski seeks to end tax write offs for corporate misdeeds
For Immediate Release: January 5, 2017 Contact: Jeff Barbosa (916) 651-4010 Businesses should not get a tax break for malice, oppression and fraud Sacramento – Corporations found by a court to be liable for punitive damages for committing the most egregious violations of law will no longer … Read More ›
Holiday Gift Privacy Guide
This holiday season, make sure that the latest tech gadgets on the market are not invading the privacy of you or someone you love. Some of this season’s more popular home products and children’s toys are equipped with geo-locational tracking, infrared sensors that detect movement, and microphones … Read More ›
GOP tells FCC to just stop what it’s doing until inauguration
by Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica
Republicans in Congress have urged the Federal Communications Commission to avoid passing any controversial regulations between now and Donald Trump’s inauguration as president. Read More ›
Big Win: FCC Adopts Landmark Internet Privacy Rules
On October 27, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission adopted privacy protections that place consumers in charge of the sharing of sensitive personal information by broadband Internet access providers. The rules, which are unprecedented in the United States, will stop Internet access providers from misusing customers’ browsing history, … Read More ›
FCC Adopts New Privacy Rule, Limits What ISPs Can Do With Your Data
by Kate Cox, The Consumerist
“Consumers should not have to be network engineers to understand who is collecting their data, and they should not have to be lawyers to understand if their information is protected. So it is incumbent upon every policy-maker with privacy authority to think about how to make our policies more simple and more consistent,” wrote Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Read More ›