Tax Filing Websites Have Been Sending Users’ Financial Information to Facebook
The Markup found services including TaxAct, TaxSlayer, and H&R Block sending sensitive data By: Simon Fondrie-Teitler, Angie Waller, and Colin Lecher Major tax filing services such as H&R Block, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer have been quietly transmitting sensitive financial information to Facebook when Americans file their taxes online, The Markup has learned. The data, sent through […]
Older Adults Lost $90 Million in Timeshare Exit Scam, Feds Charge
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Consumer Law Protection, a company that claims it can help consumers get out of timeshare contracts. “The defendants used scare tactics and high-pressure sales pitches to coerce seniors into forking over thousands of dollars for timeshare exit services they didn’t deliver,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the Federal […]
FDA Oversight of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Food Packaging Essential, Report Finds
A study by the Government Accountability Office finds that better oversight of so-called forever chemicals in good packaging and production is needed but says manufacturers are not currently required to provide the Food and Drug Administration with information about such additives. U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), requested the report. “Let me […]
Should Big Tech Control the Car Industry?
“Mobile Operating System” may take on new meaning Not too long ago, the Big Three meant Chrysler, Ford and General Motors. Now it means Amazon, Apple and Google, and consumer advocates say the auto industry may be the next big expansion area for Big Tech, with serious consequences for car buyers. Big Tech firms are […]
Vonage se ve obligado a reembolsar 100 millones de dólares a sus clientes
Vonage es lo que antes se conocía como un proveedor de VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), es decir, una compañía de telefonía por Internet. Al utilizar Internet en lugar de las conexiones telefónicas tradicionales, los proveedores de VoIP suelen ofrecer un servicio más barato que sus competidores. Pero los consumidores se han quejado de que […]
Federales: Una red de conspiradores de convertidores catalíticos es detenida en todo el país
Las fuerzas del orden federales, estatales y locales de todos los Estados Unidos han llevado a cabo hoy una operación coordinada a escala nacional de los líderes y asociados de una red nacional de ladrones, distribuidores y procesadores por su participación en conspiraciones relacionadas con convertidores catalíticos robados vendidos a una refinería de metales por […]
Feds: Nationwide Takedown Nabs Network of Catalytic Converter Conspirators
The Justice Department today announced a nationwide, coordinated takedown of leaders and associates of a national network dealing in stolen catalytic converters sold to a metal refinery for tens of millions of dollars.
Vonage on the Hook for $100 Million in Refunds to Customers
Vonage to pay $100 million for cancellation problems, “junk fees,” FTC announces.
No Surprise: Consumers Would Like Energy Efficient Appliances
A survey finds 76% of Americans support federal energy standards for appliances. But many lower-income consumers buy used appliances, which are less energy-efficient.
Red 3 Is Trick, Not Treat, Scientists Say
The dye known as Red 3 is illegal in cosmetics. It’s known to cause cancer. And yet, it is legal in foods, ingested drugs, and supplements. It’s especially prevalent in the candies that children will be collecting this Halloween, like candy corn, Nerds, Peeps, Pez, and SweeTarts. “Halloween has never been the healthiest holiday, but […]
Feds Hope to Rein In Junk Fees
Processing fees, environmental clean-up fees, restocking fees and fee creation fees — there’s no end to the “junk fees” that American businesses impose on customers, and the Federal Trade Commission thinks consumers have had just about enough. “It’s beyond frustrating to end up spending more than you budgeted because of random, arbitrary fees,” said FTC […]
YMCA’s Event Registration Company ‘Tricked’ Consumers, Feds Charge
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is suing an online event registration company that has worked for the YMCA and other prominent organizations. It charges that ACTIVE Network “tricked” consumers trying to sign up for fundraising events.
Colleges Offer Substandard Financial Services to Students, Report Finds
Many colleges offer financial services to their students that carry “junk fees” and terms that are no better, or even worse, than terms available on the open market, according a report released today by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). “Many college students trust that schools have their best interests in mind. While colleges have […]
Tips for Policyholders with Hurricane Ian Claims
Insurance companies are being inundated with property damage claims following Hurricane Ian, but that doesn’t mean they can drag their feet when processing claims, according to the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and United Policyholders (UP). The groups say that consumers are entitled to get their wind and flood insurance claims paid promptly, fully, and […]
MoneyLion Charged Military Members Excessive Interest, Feds Charge
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is suing MoneyLion Technologies, an online lender, and 38 of its subsidiaries, alleging that it imposed illegal and excessive charges on armed service members and their dependents. “MoneyLion targeted military families by illegally extracting fees and making it difficult to cancel monthly subscriptions,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “Companies […]
Regions Bank Penalized for Surprise Overdraft Fees
Regions Bank is being ordered to return at least $141 million to customers harmed by its surprise overdraft fees. It will have to pay another $50 million into the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s victims relief fund. The CFPB said that from August 2018 through July 2021, Regions charged customers surprise overdraft fees on certain ATM […]
For-Profit Stratford University Closing
Another for-profit university is closing because of accreditation issues. Stratford University is closing its campuses in Virginia, Maryland and India at the end of the term, according to an email sent to students last Friday. Forty-three other schools around the country are also losing their accreditation. The school said the U.S. Department of Education decertified […]
Pedestrian, Bicycle Deaths Hit New Highs
Traffic fatalities inched higher last year but pedestrian and bicycle deaths rose by historic amounts. In 2021, pedestrians killed jumped 13% to 7,342, the most since 1981. The number of people on bicycles who were killed rose 5% to 985, the most since at least 1980, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). […]
Forced Arbitration Clauses Must Go, Consumer Groups Tell Feds
Over 100 consumer, civil rights, and labor groups are demanding action on the issue of forced arbitration clauses — the sneaky language commonly buried in financial service contracts to block customers from suing when they are cheated or defrauded by big banks. During the Trump administration, Congress blocked a rule issued by the Consumer Financial […]
Buy Now, Pay Later Plans Grow, So Do Late Fees
Buy Now, Pay Later is sometimes described as credit without the credit card.\It normally does not charge interest but late fees can add up fast and a study finds that late fees are becoming more common.