Medic-alert robocalls a scam, BBB warns
by Editor, The Record
A new wave of scam robocalls is spreading throughout the region. The BBB is warning residents, especially seniors, about automated calls offering free medical alert systems that prompt consumers to disclose credit card information. Read More ›
Student loan rates double without Congress’ action
by Philip Elliott, Associated Press Writer, San Jose Mercury News
The interest rates on subsidized loans doubled and now stands at 6.8 percent, higher than most loans available from private lenders. Read More ›
CFC supports nomination of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Cordray currently serves as director at the CFPB, but his appointment will expire if the Senate does not confirm him by the end of this year. Read More ›
Data breaches accessed information of 2.5 million Californians
by Annalise Mantz, Sacramento Bee
Electronic data breaches put the personal information of 2.5 million Californians at risk in 2012. Read More ›
UnitedHealth to exit individual insurance market in California
by Chad Terhune, Los Angeles Times
The move by UnitedHealth, the nation’s largest health insurer, will force thousands of customers with individual policies to find new coverage. Read More ›
Ford recalls 13,100 Explorer, Taurus and MKS models
by Joseph Lichterman, Reuters
The recall affects 2013 models, and the malfunction could mean the child safety locks would turn off automatically, allowing the doors to be opened from the inside. Read More ›
Insist that stores show you the warranty before you buy
by Anthony Giorgianni, Consumer Reports
On products costing more than $15, retailers must make the written warranty available before you buy the item or include a statement on how to get it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a walk-in store, website, catalog, or door-to-door sale. Read More ›
The NSA is watching. So are Google and Facebook.
by Ken Dilanian, Los Angeles Times
Google, Facebook and Amazon, and a host of lesser-known data brokers, constantly gather and exploit consumer information. The process is largely unregulated. Read More ›
Reclaim Your Name: FTC commissioner wants companies to reveal what user data they collect
by Carl Franzen, The Verge
An FTC official is proposing a sweeping new initiative that would let people see all the data that companies have collected about them. Read More ›
AB 25 extends social media privacy rights to public-sector employees (2-year bill)
CFC supports AB 25, which would extend social media privacy provisions to public sector applicants and employees. Read More ›
How police track your driving
by Ali Winston, San Francisco Chronicle
Privacy advocates say the price is unacceptably high, with millions of people who have done nothing wrong having their movements recorded by the government. Read More ›
Governor Brown signs bill allowing more closed-door meetings
by Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times
The measure adds the governor to the list of people with whom local officials can meet in private to discuss security issues.
Read More ›
Public research for private gain
by Darwin BondGraham, East Bay Express
UC Regents recently approved a new corporate entity that will likely give a group of well-connected businesspeople control over how academic research is used. Read More ›