Here’s where we feature news-you-can-use and other timely information to help you become a more informed consumer. Check back often to read what’s happening.
FTC Accuses Amazon of Tricking Millions into Joining Prime
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued Amazon on Wednesday, accusing the company of enrolling customers into its Prime program without their consent—and then making it difficult for them to cancel.
Fraud Alert: Ticket Scams Are Skyrocketing
If you’re determined to get tickets to a sold-out concert or sporting event, you might jump at any offer that comes along. Scammers are counting on that desperation to steal your money.
Amazon and Microsoft Charged with Violating Children's Privacy Law
The federal government is putting tech companies on notice that it plans to go after them if they violate federal rules protecting children’s privacy.
Americans Are Keeping Their Cars Longer Than Ever
Unable to get decent deals on new vehicles, or find used ones they can afford, millions of motorists are keeping their cars longer.
New FCC Rule Requires Phone Companies to Block Some Robotexts
After years of focusing on illegal robocalls, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is trying to stop the flood of spam robotexts.
Travel Trouble: Don’t Let Passport Problems Wreck Your Trip
If you’re planning a trip outside the U.S. this summer and don’t already have a valid passport—or have one that will expire soon—you may have a problem. The current passport processing time is 10 to 13 weeks.
Why Car Prices—Both New and Used—Keep Going Up
With inventory abnormally low, prices historically high, and interest rates continuing to go up, it’s become harder for many Americans to afford a new set of wheels.
FTC Sues Company for ‘Unfairly Thwarting’ Consumers Trying to Reverse Disputed Credit Card Charges
Federal regulators say the company helped scammers stay in business and defeat chargeback attempts by victims hit with fraudulent charges.
Consumer Advocates Urge Supermarkets to Stop Digital Discount Discrimination
A coalition of national consumer groups recently sent a letter to the presidents of a dozen large supermarket chains, calling on them to “stop discriminating against senior citizens and low-income shoppers” who cannot take advantage of in-store digital-only discounts.
IRS Makes Significant Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023
With the 2022 federal tax filing season behind us, it’s time to look at the major changes that will impact next year’s returns. We describe the key provisions that will affect most taxpayers.
Report: Data Breach Notices Lack Key Details, Enable Identity Theft ‘Scamdemic’
There’s a good chance you received a data breach notice last year—possibly more than one. Unfortunately, last year only 34 percent of breach notices included details about what was obtained from attacks, the lowest number in five years.
DOT Fines 6 Airlines and Orders Them to Refund $600 Million to Stranded Passengers
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has ordered six airlines to pay $600 million in refunds to passengers who had their flights canceled or significantly delayed during the pandemic. Only one of the six, Frontier, is a U.S. airline.
FTC Proposes New Advertising Guidelines Against Misleading Endorsements
To avoid misleading consumers, endorsements should be genuine and honest, and any relationships (such as compensation) between the advertiser and the endorser should be disclosed. In May, the FTC proposed several revisions to its guides that would clarify and strengthen rules for traditional media, plus apply guidelines to cover influencer endorsements.
Some Airlines Finally Offer Free ‘Kid-Friendly’ Seat Assignments
One of the biggest challenges when flying with children is trying to book adjacent seats. Some major U.S. airlines have finally promised to guarantee family seating—if possible—at no additional cost.
Supermarkets’ Digital Offers Leave Tech-Challenged Seniors Without Valuable Discounts
At a time when consumers are especially focused on saving money at the supermarket, some shoppers—those who are tech-challenged or digitally disconnected—are unable to access “digital only” sale prices advertised in weekly store circulars.
Can You Trust Online Reviews for Home Warranty Companies?
For decades Checkbook has urged against buying home warranty plans, which we see as terrible deals. Consumer advocate Edgar Dworsky, publisher of ConsumerWorld.org, found something curious when he looked into online reviews for American Home Shield.
Good News for Consumers: Credit Bureaus Agree to Change How They Report Medical Debt
Tens of millions of Americans have seen their creditworthiness plummet in recent years due to unpaid medical bills. Recently, the three major credit bureaus agreed to significantly change how they treat this debt.
Data Breaches Soar to New Record in 2021, Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Cyber criminals compromised 1,862 databases in the U.S. last year, according to the annual data breach report from the non-profit Identity Theft Resource Center. That’s a 68 percent jump from 2020, and a 23 percent increase from the previous record of 1,506, set in 2017.
Headlight Ratings Encourage Automakers to Improve Safety; These 2021 Models Scored Best
To encourage automakers to improve inferior headlights, in 2016 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety began rating vehicles for this important safety issue. Here are the 2021 models that scored best.
New Report Warns of Bad Actors in the Interstate Moving Industry
During a move, you’re trusting a company to get your possessions from here to there on time, without damage, and at the agreed upon price. All too often that doesn’t happen, especially for long-distance interstate relocations.