Consumerist
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tax evaders
IRS Scares 14,700 Americans Into Disclosing Secret Offshore Bank Accounts
The IRS announced today that 14,700 Americans disclosed their secret off-shore accounts — ensuring "billions of dollars in new tax collections" says Bloomberg. More » -
fda
Oyster Lovers To FDA: Kindly STFU And Leave Our Deadly Snack Alone
Eating raw oysters from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico can and does kill people. Not a lot of people. But it does kill people. The FDA recently was forced to back off from a plan to ban these oysters pending more research into how to keep them from killing said people. Apparently, oyster lovers are a motivated bunch. More » -
government
New York State Holds License Plate Fundraiser
As part of an attempt to make up a budget shortfall, New York State is holding a huge fundraiser. No, not a bake sale: starting in April 2010, the state is forcing all car and tractor-trailer owners in the state to buy new license plates when they renew their registrations. And not just any license plates. Ugly license plates. More » -
airlines
Congress Investigates Airline Fees In Search Of Tax Revenue
Congress is concerned about the new fees that airlines seem to enjoy piling on their passengers. But not out of any sense of concern for consumers' wallets. The problem is the lost tax revenue that airports are missing out on when airlines increase their prices through the use of fees instead of by raising fares. More » -
testing the water
Is Bank Of America Of Trying To Skirt The CARD Act With New Annual Fees?
In a series of recent posts, WalletBlog has accused Bank of America of breaking the spirit of its "no new fees" promise and of potentially breaking the law next year, after it announced it will introduce annual fees on some existing credit card accounts in 2010. More » -
real estate
Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended To June 2010, Woot!
As anticipated, President Obama signed the 8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit extension into law on Friday. You can now collect the credit if your home purchase is complete by June 30, 2010. But wait, there's more! The extension also offers a tax credit for people who are purchasing a new residence, but aren't first-time homeowners. More » -
budgets
What You Need To Know About Today's Unemployment Benefits Extension
If you're still struggling to find a job in the current economy, you'll be happy to know that this morning President Obama is expected to sign legislation to extend benefits for few more months. The New York Times has more info on how the extension will work, and who qualifies for it.
"Extended Unemployment Benefits: F.A.Q." [New York Times]
(Photo: Kapungo and laurenatclemson) -
slowpokes
First Results Of Gov Study Of Chinese Drywall Inconclusive, But More Tests To Come
Yesterday the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced some findings from its study of the problematic Chinese drywall, which 1,900 Florida homeowners have complained stinks and makes people sick. The commission told the Associated Press that "no connections have been made yet," but that they're doing more tests—which means there's still no definitive answer on who should be held financially responsible if the homes have to be gutted and repaired, which the Wall Street Journal says could cost as much as $25 billion dollars. More » -
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oh snap
Edmunds.com Estimates Real Cash For Clunkers Cost, Gets White House Smackdown
Edmunds.com crunched some numbers, and came to the conclusion that the federal Cash for Clunkers program was not a terribly effective use of taxpayer money. They argue that the bulk of rebates went to consumers who were going to buy cars anyway. The White House, however, begs to differ. So how did the Obama administration respond? With a snarky blog post. More » -
astroturfing
Is AT&T Behind Grassroots Groups That Are Opposed To Net Neutrality?
In the net neutrality debate, there are a surprising number of grassroots organizations (well, surprising to me at any rate) that have filed statements against the FCC's recent draft of rules. Matthew Lasar at Ars Technica just published an interesting article where he looks at some of these groups and tries to figure out whether AT&T is secretly influencing them, or whether they really do think net neutrality will hurt those they represent—frequently minority groups—in the long run. More » -
internet
Here's What The New FCC Net Neutrality Rules Mean
Yesterday the FCC announced new, expanded rules enforcing net neutrality, and they've set aside the next 60 days for public debate. Get ready to hear all sorts of creative end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it arguments from opponents like AT&T. We've checked out the official document (pdf) and below we summarize the changes that are open to public discussion for the next two months. More » -
populist rage
Government Orders Pay Cuts For Bailed-Out Firms
The huge salaries and bonuses paid to executives of banks and other firms that received government bailout funds have been the subject of a lot of taxpayer rage. The Obama administration listened, and will order pay cuts. More » -
net neutrality
AT&T Asks Employees To Oppose Net Neutrality
A reader sent us a letter that AT&T sent to its employees asking them to tell the FCC they oppose net neutrality. This comes after the FCC announced plans to investigate and enact net neutrality rules that will ensure that internet service providers (like AT&T) treat all content equally. The letter and a rebuttal are inside. More » -
electricity bills
Energy Star Program Relies On Honor System For Some Products
Your new washer, dryer, fridge, monitor, or TV set may have an Energy Star label on it, but it turns out that nobody is making sure that means anything, reports the New York Times. Our parent organization Consumer Reports pointed out that this was a problem a year ago. More » -
truth in billing
FCC Asked To Address Misleading And Confusing Billing
In August, we wrote about upcoming investigations and possible actions by the FCC on several different areas of the consumer telecommunications experience. Several consumer groups filed comments on the first issue, truth in billing, this week, and we wanted to share some of their concerns and suggestions. More » -
stinky
Chicago Is Sorry They Towed 20 People So Secret Could Film A Deodorant Commercial
Know what's more important than you not having your car towed and having to pay a $160 tow fee? Secret deodorant commercials! At least that's the message Chicago sent back in September when they put up signs about a film shoot tow zone only 3 hours before the towing was to begin. More » -
how it works
The Consumer Financial Protection Agency And You
Legislation to create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) is making its way through Congress. Interested parties have spoken out ("It sucks!" "It's awesome!"). Now the White House wants to know what you think. More » -
bailouts
Is The Federal Housing Administration Going To Need A Bailout?
Earlier today a former Fannie Mae exec and the current head of the FHA gave conflicting testimonies to Congress about the health of the mortgage insurer—particularly about whether or not it's going to require a taxpayer bailout in the next couple of years. More »
government
New York, 12:57 AM
Mon Nov 23
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