Report: Telemarketers Pocket Nearly 2/3 Of Charity Donations
by Chris Morran, Consumerist
While the person who calls you to ask for a charitable donation is probably representing a non-profit organization, that telemarketer may be employed by a for-profit fundraising company hired by the charity. But just how much of what you’re giving ends up going to the charity, and how much goes to line the telemarketer’s pockets? Read More ›
Why You Should Opt Out Of Forced Arbitration, In 3 Sentences
by Chris Morran, Consumerist
While more and more companies are adding “forced arbitration” clauses to their terms of service, only a handful of these businesses are offering customers the choice to opt out of this part of the contract. Here are the reasons why you should take advantage of that option … Read More ›
Working to Block Those Advertising Annoyances
by Alina Tugend, New York Times
Free ways to stop unwanted ads, phone calls and mail. Read More ›
Consumer Privacy Rights Need Urgent Protection in Washington, Activists Say
by Tom Hamburger, Washington Post
Citing revelations of government spying and massive theft of credit card information, civil liberties and consumer activist organizations are pressing the White House this week for action on a long-promised consumer privacy bill of rights. Read More ›
Fremont legislator seeks to bolster rights of care home residents
by Katie Nelson, Contra Costa Times
The bill would guarantee residents the right to be free from physical and chemical restraints and the possible inappropriate use of psychoactive drugs. The bill would also prohibit a licensee or employee of a facility from serving as an agent for a resident under a power of attorney. Read More ›
Market Gets Heat for Old “Sell By” Dates
by Hetty Chang, Keith Esparros, Phil Dreschler, NBC Los Angeles
Consumer advocacy groups have joined the United Food and Commercial Workers to release findings of an investigation, which alleges a popular supermarket chain sold expired products — including baby food, meat and diary products. At a news conference Tuesday, groups including the East LA Community Corporation and … Read More ›
Better credit cards, encryption considered to protect consumer data
by Jeremy B. White, Sacramento Bee
Lawmakers pushed on Tuesday for ways to prevent the kind of consumer data breaches that claimed voluminous amounts of information during the recent holiday season. Read More ›
Capital One says it can show up at cardholders’ homes, workplaces
by David Lazarus, Los Angeles Times
The company recently sent a contract update to cardholders that makes clear it can drop by any time it pleases. The update specifies that “we may contact you in any manner we choose” and that such contacts can include calls, emails, texts, faxes or a “personal visit.” Read More ›
Increasing food prices spark trend of package downsizing
by Jane Dornbusch, Boston Globe
The list of companies that choose to accommodate by shrinking package sizes is lengthy and only getting more so. Consumers might be willing to swallow, albeit reluctantly, either higher prices or smaller packages. What many find objectionable is the seemingly deceptive, or at least sneaky, way that manufacturers go about downsizing. Read More ›
FTC Approves Oversight Program For Compliance With Kids’ Online Privacy Rules
by Kate Cox, Consumerist
No seal of approval by itself can make the internet safe for anyone, let alone for kids, but parents can at least rest assured that if they see this one on any site their children are using, the FTC thinks it’s legit. Read More ›
Don’t Fall for Valentine’s Day Scams
by Jason Alderman, Practical Money Skills
Whatever your love status, one thing everyone needs to guard against at this time of year is scams. Here are some of the more common Valentine’s Day scams to avoid. Read More ›
Friendly sales pitch can’t hide payday loans’ unfriendly rates
by David Lazarus, Los Angeles Times
Welcome to the new-and-not-so-improved world of payday lending, which has adopted more sophisticated sales pitches and branding to lure unwary consumers into loans that can trap them in endless cycles of debt. Read More ›
New bill demands that smartphones have “kill switch” in case of theft
by Joe Mullin, Ars Technica
California state legislator Mark Leno has introduced SB 962, a bill that would require smartphones sold in the state to include a “kill switch” that would “render inoperable” the phone if it’s not in the possession of the rightful owner. Read More ›