USDA may shut down California Foster Farms plants after salmonella outbreak
by Christina Cocca and Beverly White, NBC Los Angeles
Foster Farms may be forced to close three California processing plants if the sites turn out to be linked to a Salmonella outbreak that sickened hundreds of people. Federal officials believe plants in Fresno and Livingston may not have properly processed the poultry. Read More ›
California driving Internet privacy policy
by Michelle Quinn, Politico
With the federal government and technology policy shut down in Washington, California is steaming ahead with a series of online privacy laws that will have broad implications for Internet companies and consumers. Read More ›
Toxic chemical flame retardants in building insulation: Historic bill may reduce harmful exposures
by Stephanie Hendricks, Californians for Toxic Free Fire Safety
“This is an important victory for consumers,” said Richard Holober, Executive Director, CFC. “For nearly four decades, chemical manufacturers have reaped billions in profits at consumers’ expense. We are pleased that Gov. Brown has taken the important step forward so that toxic flame retardant chemicals are not required in building insulation, especially when they add no fire safety benefits.” Read More ›
New research reveals medical identity theft is up, affects 1.84 million U.S. victims
by Robin Slade, Medical Identity Fraud Alliance
According to the 2013 Survey on Medical Identity Theft, medical identity theft and “family fraud” are on the rise, with the number of victims affected by medical identity theft up nearly 20 percent within the last year. Read More ›
AB 140 increases protection for elders financially exploited by undue influence (signed into law)
CFC strongly supports AB 140, a bill to modernize the definition of undue influence, in order to increase protection for elders who are financially exploited by those in positions of authority and trust. Read More ›
“Keeping Seniors Safe” AB 849, co-sponsored by CFC, protects victims of elder abuse (signed into law)
CFC, along with Legal Assistance to the Elderly, Inc., co-sponsored AB 849, which authorizes community-based assistance programs serving victims of elder and dependent adult abuse to help those victims apply to an address confidentiality program. Read More ›
American Airlines files lawsuit to stop vacation club postcard scam
by Editor, North Carolina Consumers Council
American Airlines has filed a lawsuit against several individuals and entities operating a nationwide scam that uses American’s trademarks and likeness of its logo on mass-mailed postcards and letters to lure people into sales presentations for vacation club memberships. Read More ›
Beware the student loan scam on Instagram
by Christine DiGangi, Credit.com
Consumers need to know how to spot an Internet scam, there are no shortcuts when it comes to loan repayment, and that cons will take every opportunity to ensnare consumers during a time of confusion. Read More ›
Toxic flame retardant reduction in building insulation signed by Governor Brown
Receiving bipartisan support in the Assembly and Senate, AB 127 was signed by Governor Brown on October 5. This is another important step toward reducing toxic chemicals when there are no added fire safety benefits. Read More ›
AB 127 reduces toxic flame retardants in building insulation, maintains fire safety (signed into law)
CFC supports AB 127, which would reduce the use of flame retardant chemicals in building insulation while maintaining building fire safety and encouraging healthy building practices. Read More ›
SB 12 establishes Made in California label (signed into law)
A “Made in USA” label has long been seen as an advantage in marketing a product. Now there are in-state manufacturers that want to see the adoption of an official label that declares Made in California. Read More ›
A new telemarketer tactic: Impersonating teachers
by Bob Sullivan, Credit.com
Caller ID isn’t always what it appears, and increasingly, criminal telemarketers are taking advantage of that. Aggressive phone sales operators have developed a new tactic recently — impersonating teachers, calling parents at home during the school day. Read More ›
Hackers recently stole 2.9 million Adobe users’ info
by Chris Morran, Consumerist
Adobe says the breach appears to have occurred in mid-August, with the digital thieves making off with encrypted credit/debit card and other personal data for around 2.9 million users and name/password combinations for a currently undetermined number of customers. Read More ›