Health measures to dominate 2014 voter ballot
by Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
A ballot teeming with health measures next November may prompt hundreds of millions of dollars in campaign spending. Read More ›
“Do Not Track Kids Act” before Congress
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
If passed, this federal bill would limit the ability of companies to collect online data about young teens, age 13 to 15. It would create an “Eraser Button” tool to remove publicly available personal information when technologically feasible. A similar state bill recently passed in California will take effect in 2015. Read More ›
Top five mistakes to avoid in donating to Typhoon Haiyan relief
by Editor, Better Business Bureau
As the public’s attention and hearts are focused on the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan, donors are advised to take steps to avoid being taken by questionable solicitors or wasting their money on poorly managed relief efforts. Read More ›
Kamala Harris shutters 10 fake Covered California websites
by Christopher Cadelago, Sacramento Bee
“These websites fraudulently imitated Covered California in order to lure consumers away from plans that provide the benefits of the Affordable Care Act,” Harris said in a prepared statement. “My office will continue to investigate and shut down these kinds of sites…” Read More ›
Black Friday & Cyber Monday scams to watch out for while shopping the sales
by Connor Adams Sheets, International Business Times
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the year’s biggest shopping events, offering a wide range of sales and deals, but scammers also know they’re great days to rip people off. Read More ›
Have a problem with a payday loan? The feds want your complaint
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has expanded its consumer complaint database to include problems with payday loans. The CFPB is the first federal agency with the regulatory authority to supervise this industry. Read More ›
Anthem Blue Cross will delay cancelling 104,000 health insurance policies
by Tracy Seipel, San Jose Mercury News
For the second time in a week, one of the largest insurance companies in California said Tuesday that it will delay canceling tens of thousands of individual health insurance policies until early next year. Read More ›
Report: Prop 103, $100 billion win for auto insurance consumers
25 Years, $100 billion saved on auto insurance for California consumers! That’s the legacy of Prop 103 in California according to a new report released by the Consumer Federation of America. Read More ›
Nasty new malware locks your files forever, unless you pay ransom
by Herb Weisbaum, Today.com
When CryptoLocker infects your computer, it encrypts all of your files. The bad guys have the only decryption key and they will destroy it in 72 hours unless you pay the $300 ransom. How do you protect yourself? Read More ›
Tumbling coffee bean prices will really only save you money at home
by Mary Beth Quirk, Consumerist
This dip in prices has been going on for some time and it seems they’ll keep trending downward, as Brazil is in the midst of bumper crop of beans and it sells much of the world’s coffee. As of yesterday, arabica coffee futures are trading at their lowest in about five years. Read More ›
Blue Shield gives California policyholders three-month reprieve
by Christopher Cadelago, Sacramento Bee
Roughly 113,000 Californians whose individual health plans were set to expire at the end of the year will be given the option to extend their coverage though the end of March. Read More ›
In California, hundreds of thousands to pay more for health insurance
by Christopher Cadelago, Sacramento Bee
Hundreds of thousands of Californians who purchase their own health insurance are bracing to pay more for their plans, as the cost of the federal health care overhaul lands harder on middle-class customers. Read More ›
What to do when managing someone else’s money
by Herb Weisbaum, CNBC.com
Things can change as we get older. Someone who could easily manage their finances may require help from a trusted friend or family member. The CFPB just released guide booklets to help people deal with a situation that can feel overwhelming. Read More ›