Usually, our staff Certified Tax Cat handles readers’ questions about taxes, but he got his tax refund early this year and is on vacation, taking a salmon-watching cruise on the Pacific coast. Filling in for him is Laura’s dad, a retired accountant and real live independent tax preparer. Exclusively on Consumerist this spring, Tax Dad answers your questions. [More]
Government Policy
Ask Tax Dad: A Recovering Slacker, An Incompetent Accountant, And The Tax Return Of The Dead
By 3.11.13 — Updated: 11.1.13
Scammers Have Servicemembers In Their Sights: The DOJ Says It’s Time To Fight Back
By 3.8.13
Like all consumers, servicemembers of the United States can fall under the sway of scammers seeking to take ’em for all they’ve got. But due to their specific circumstances they’re often the focus of a wide range of fraudulent businesses and other predatory practices. [More]
Additional Lots Of Bumble Bee & Chicken Of The Sea Tuna Recalled
By 3.8.13
The tuna recall train keeps rolling on, with Bumble Bee expanding its earlier recall of some Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna products over concerns about improperly sealed cans. The entire list of recalled Bumble Bee products is available at FDA.gov. Details on an expanded similar Chicken of the Sea recall can be found here. [More]
FTC Goes After Spammers Responsible For 180 Million “Free Gift Card” Text Messages
By 3.7.13
Through eight lawsuits filed in four different U.S. District Courts, the Federal Trade Commission has put the regulatory smackdown on 29 alleged text spammers believed to have blasted out more than 180 million unwanted text messages to consumers. [More]
Chicken Of The Sea Tuna Also Recalled For Possibly Faulty Can Seals
March 7, 2013
One day after Bumble Bee announced a recall on some of its canned tuna products because the cans’ seals might not be up to snuff, the makers of Chicken of the Sea tuna have issued a similar recall. See all the recall details at FDA.gov. [More]
Subaru Recalling 47,000 Vehicles Because Cars Shouldn’t Start On Their Own
By 3.7.13
The super handy thing about having a remote starter for your car is pretty self-explanatory — you can start your vehicle from inside the house to warm it up on a cold day, or from wherever you are nearby instead of climbing in and turning it on. But that doesn’t mean cars should just start up on their own without you doing a thing, which is why Subaru is recalling about 47,000 vehicles. [More]
Air Marshals & Flight Attendants Not So Happy With This “Knives Are Okay On Planes Now” Thing
By 3.6.13
Yesterday the Transportation Security Administration announced that it was tweaking the rules regarding small pocketknives, carry-on golf clubs and other sporting equipment. While travelers sick of losing their Swiss Army knives and other little blades rejoiced over the decision, groups representing Federal Air Marashals and flight attendants are all like, “Wait, hold up — knives on planes? Really?” [More]
Bumble Bee Recalls Cans Of Tuna Because They Might Not Have Been Sealed Properly
By 3.6.13
When you buy canned tuna, you’re generally working under the assumption that the can has been sealed properly. But the folks at Bumble Bee say that may not be the case for some of its Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna products. [More]
I Am Sequestration, Here Me Roar: FAA Closing 173 Air Traffic Control Towers
By 3.6.13
While the government warned of annoying long lines at airports across the country as a result of the budget cuts imposed by the March 1 sequestration, things haven’t seemed too bad yet (except for the usual weather woes). But it sounds like air travel is on the way to getting more annoying, as the Federal Aviation Administration says it’s going to shut down 173 air traffic control towers at smaller airports around the country on April 7. [More]
White House Cancels Public Tours As Of March 8, Citing Effects Of Sequestration Budget Cuts
By 3.6.13
Sure, the White House is home to President Barack Obama. But it’s also kind of viewed as America’s house, leading tourists from around the country — as well as the world — to sign up for free tours to view the premises. You never know when you could catch a glimpse of the First Family, or heck, maybe even their dog, Bo. But after March 8, the administration says those tours are going bye-bye as a result of budget cuts. [More]
TSA To Relax Restrictions On Pocketknives, Sporting Goods
By 3.5.13
More than a decade after enacting strict prohibitions on carrying knives on U.S. flights, Transportation Security Administration head John Pistole says the agency will begin allowing smaller pocketknives and limited carry-on of golf clubs and other sporting equipment. (via Bloomberg) [More]
White House Agrees That Cellphone Unlocking Should Be Legal Again
By 3.4.13
In January, a decision by the Librarian of Congress made it illegal for cellphone owners to unlock new devices without the permission of their current wireless carrier. This decision sparked public outrage, including a petition on the White House website calling for the administration to give this right back to consumers. The White House has since responded to say it concurs that this decision is a little messed up. [More]
Standing In A Long Line At The Airport Right Now? You Can Maybe Blame Sequestration
By 3.4.13
The Department of Transportation issued a foreboding warning about the effects of across-the-board government spending cuts if sequestration went into effect on March 1, which it did. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is already warning travelers of delays, but if you’re currently standing in a long line at airport security, this isn’t news to you. [More]
FCC To Look Into Legality Of Unlocking Cellphones, May Not Be Able To Do Anything
By 3.1.13
Back in January, a new rule changed kicked in that makes it illegal for a consumer to unlock a cellphone purchased after Jan. 25, 2013, without getting the permission of their wireless carrier. Now the Federal Communications Commission is going to look into the matter, but isn’t sure if it can actually do anything. [More]
Senator Introduces “Do-Not-Track” Bill Saying Industry Failed To Protect Consumers Voluntarily
By 3.1.13
Far from sitting on his laurels as an outgoing Congressman, Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV of West Virginia is gearing up to go out with a blaze of consumer advocacy. He’s set to retire at the end of next year after championing consumers during his career, but before then will be working on the “Do-Not-Track Online Act of 2013,” a bill he introduced yesterday. [More]
February Food And Drug Recall Roundup – Antibiotic Pig Ear Edition
By 2.28.13
Chewy pig skins, chia seed treats, brownie mix, and herbal supplements that are a little too close to actual drugs: it’s all here, in the Food and Drug Edition of the Recall Roundup. [More]
Ask Tax Dad: Should I Hire A Tax Preparer? What If I Win The Lottery?
By 2.28.13 — Updated: 3.6.13
Usually, our staff Certified Tax Cat handles questions about taxes, but he got into some really bad ‘nip and is taking the year off. Filling in for him is Laura’s dad, a retired accountant and real live independent tax preparer. Exclusively on Consumerist, Tax Dad answers your questions. [More]
Tax Dad Sez: Send Us Your Questions For Consumerist’s Designated Tax Preparer
By 2.26.13
Seriously old-school Consumerist fans might remember Ask Meghann’s Dad, where readers sent in questions about electrical wiring and home repair, and Mr. Marco was all competent and helpful. During a meeting to think of new story ideas, we remembered this and asked ourselves: what other experts do we have access to who are also related to us? Why, there’s our very own Tax Dad, independent tax preparer John Northrup. [More]
