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Ten Most Recent Features

Tuesday, September 03, 2019

Read our beginner’s guide to personal finance apps

Financial technology (FinTech) is the use of modern technology, such as the internet and apps (downloadable mobile software), to develop powerful financial services tools for consumers and businesses. For those who are motivated to improve their finances and dedicated to working toward their goals, FinTech can make the process more convenient, efficient and even rewarding. This guide will introduce you to the types of FinTech tools available and how they can help you. It will also tell you what to consider when choosing an app and how to stay safe when using FinTech.

Wednesday, August 07, 2019

Five plastic recycling myths

Throwing items in the recycling bin is such a feel-good exercise—you believe you’re helping protect the planet! But it turns out that the “reuse” and “recycle” parts of the three R’s of recycling aren’t as simple as they seem. It’s time we educate ourselves about what actually happens to what we throw in the recycling bin.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Be better informed about what happens to food containers

A new survey released by Consumer Action finds that most consumers are misinformed about the recyclability of plastic, resulting in purchasing and recycling habits that harm the environment and ignore basic facts about the nature of plastic products and other packaging materials. The poll found that 58% of respondents believe plastic materials are endlessly recyclable, when, in fact, plastic food and beverage products are commonly “downcycled” into lower-grade products or sent directly to landfills.

Monday, June 10, 2019

New report: Location data tracking widespread, also widely reviled

A survey and report by Consumer Action finds that survey respondents believe that location data should only be used for the reason it was collected. All other purposes should require express, upfront consent. Yet permission often is not sought, or blanket permission for access is hidden in the fine print.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

FTC seeks comment on updates to Contact Lens Rule proposal

Wednesday, May 01, 2019

Hotline Chronicles: Cut the middleman out of vital records purchases

Jody* from New Mexico contacted our hotline to complain about a company that charged her $47 for a “vital record application package.” The pricey package didn’t even include the vital record she was seeking, which she was told would cost an additional $35!

Tuesday, April 02, 2019

Hotline Chronicles: Dog’s surgery drains owner’s resources

Monday, March 18, 2019

Newly revised: Broadband internet for low-income households

Today, high-speed home internet service (broadband) is virtually a necessity for everything from finding a job to doing homework. However, many low-income households are at a disadvantage because broadband has been unaffordable for them. This fact sheet explains more about broadband, including its importance, benefits, availability and pricing. It also presents special programs that offer low-income households fast home internet service at a discount.

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

WRITE NOW: Help save the CFPB’s Payday Lending Rule

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) leadership, under the pro-business administration, has announced plans to gut a long-awaited, commonsense rule mandating that payday, auto title and other predatory lenders check that borrowers can actually repay the loans before they are issued. You can help by writing the CFPB! WRITE NOW!

Friday, February 08, 2019

Take our survey about location sharing

Smartphones, apps, websites and automotive devices can gather and use information based on the current location of your device in order to provide you with a variety of location-based services. In most cases you can control location sharing, either by turning location tracking off completely, disabling it for certain uses or simply powering off the device. (Emergency calls from your mobile phone use location even if you have location sharing turned off.) In this survey, we are seeking your opinion about location tracking and location data sharing. Thanks for taking the time to complete our survey!