Consumerist
-
propaganda
Chamber Of Commerce Attacks Proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency
Maybe you forgot about the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency in all the health care sound and fury, but it's still out there, and financial companies are still very much against it. Now the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is launching an ad campaign that shifts the focus from credit card companies to smaller businesses that they insist will be affected, although the scope of the proposed agency is still kind of unclear. More » -
complaints
Top Ten Consumer Complaints To State AG's In 2008
The National Association of Attorneys General has polled state attorneys general, who are typically responsible for enforcing consumer protection laws in their states, and announced the top ten consumer complaints for 2008. It's an interesting list. More » -
CFPA
Vote On Consumer Financial Protection Agency Delayed Until September
This week, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) postponed a vote on a bill creating a Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) until September when lawmakers return from recess. The delay is partly due to other more pressing issues, but mainly due to unexpected (really?) pushback from the financial industry. More » -
fees
Enlightened Nation To Banks: Either Explain Excessive Fees Or Eliminate Them
Australian consumers will soon be able to challenge any bank fee that they consider "unreasonable," thanks to a new law that could save consumers up to $1 billion. Banks that want to keep levying excessive fees for late payments and overdrafts will need to prove that the charges are reasonable by revealing the true processing costs behind the fee. More » -
consumer protection
Here Comes The Consumer Financial Protection Agency!
Shhh, everyone, gather near and listen to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner deliver the most beautiful, wonderful mandate we could give to a new federal agency: "The agency will have only one mission—to protect consumers." And with that, the Treasury Department sent to Congress legislation that will create the brand new Consumer Financial Protection Agency. More » -
liability
G.M. Agrees To Remain Responsible For Shoddy Cars After Bankruptcy
General Motors has reached an agreement with the government to let consumers file what are known as product-liability claims after the company escapes from bankruptcy protection. The big win for consumers means that if a manufacturing defect in an old G.M. causes injuries in the future, consumers will still be able to sue G.M. in state court. More » -
News From The Heartland
Iowans To Get Wishy Washy Consumer Bill Of Rights
Good news, Iowans! Your legislature has decided to enact a consumer bill of rights giving you the power to sue businesses that commit fraud. Unless, of course, you're going after banks, attorneys, insurance providers, doctors, cable companies, telecoms, utilities, veterinarians, realtors, charities, architects, or certain retailers. Still, the bill isn't entirely useless... More » -
lawsuits
Gift Card Settlement Refunds Quarter Million Dollars In Inactivity Fees
A Connecticut mall has to pay $259,000 in settlement fees to consumers who bought gift cards that had monthly inactivity fees. -
-
consumer protection
Time To Bring Back The Consumer Czar
Last month, several consumer groups sent President-elect Obama a letter detailing a pro-consumer agenda for the new administration and Congress. One of those suggestions, supported by an editorial in today's New York Times, is reinstating the position of special assistant to the President on consumer affairs, also known as the consumer czar. -
lawsuits
Pro-Consumer Regulation Needs Real Teeth So You Can Sue The Jerks
If the recent economic meltdown has a bright spot, it is the possibility that smart regulation may return. There will always be those who will cheat if they can, putting both consumers and the market at risk. It cannot function properly without regulation to prevent cheating and ensure consumers are getting a fair deal. But without a private right of action and attorney fees, consumer protection regulations are nearly worthless. A "private right of action" means...
Sam Glover is a consumer rights lawyer, enemy of shady debt collectors, previous Consumerist contributor, and writes the Caveat Emptor blog. This is the first of his new column for Consumerist, appearing the first Monday of every month. More »
-
videos
Interview: Ralph Nader Says We're Living Under Corporate Fascism
Ralph Nader, running for President in 2008, sat down with Red Tape Chronicles to talk about the current deplorable state of consumer affairs. The video kicks butt and reminds me why I get up in the morning. Highlights:
On the derailing of the consumer protection movement: Laws aren't being enforced, not enough prosecutors on the corporate fraud beat.
On the other candidates: Their campaigns are based on law and order. Not one has put the words consumer and protection together in one of their speeches.
On unfair contracts: A common clause now says that the seller has the right to change terms of contract at any time, that's the end of contract law.
On the sub-prime meltdown: It's the government's job to force credit rating settings. There should be a plain-language law mandating that mortgages are written in a language average people can understand
On education: Spend so much time teaching students to use computers but we don't teach kids how to shop for their maximum health safety and economic well-being... what's the point of earning money if you're just going to lose it to corporate scams?
On activism: You want a better country, you've got to spend more of your time more time away from american idol, and more time on your members of Congress. We're millions of people, but corporations don't have a single vote, and members of congress are there because of our votes, so make those votes count.Video inside. More »
-
cry havoc
Attention Shoppers: The Consumer Product Safety Commission Has Run Out Of Power
The temporary law powering the CPSC has expired, reducing our supposed watch-dog agency to a neutered shadow that can't adopt new safety standards, order mandatory recalls, or enforce existing consumer protection laws. The Commission could get back to work with three small tweaks. More » -
government
Maloney Introduces Credit Card Bill Of Rights; Lending Institutions Smirk
The Credit Card Bill Of Rights Act, which was introduced on Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives, would limit interest rate hikes and late fee penalties that credit card companies use to unfairly squeeze profits from customers. The bill is sponsored by House Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee Chairwoman Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA). More » -
consumer protection
Home Depot Caught Refusing To Issue "Rain Checks"
A Home Depot store has been fined $1500 for refusing to issue rain checks for items that were advertised on sale, but were not available for purchase. Many communities have regulations that state that if an item is advertised as being on sale without mentioning a specific limited quantity, the retailer has a legal obligation to issue a rain check that will allow the customer to purchase the item later for the sale price. More »
- 1
1-14 of 14 for "Consumer Protection"
