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Ten Most Recent Features

Friday, January 31, 2020

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low-income workers

Qualifying low-income workers can get money from back from the Earned Income Tax Credit (up to $6,557!) even if they don’t owe any taxes—but you must file a tax return in order to claim the credit, even if your income is so low that you normally wouldn’t file. Don’t miss out! For more information, including where to get free tax prep assistance, read Consumer Action’s Get Credit for Your Hard Work, available (free) in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

Tuesday, January 07, 2020

Learn more about all types of health insurance

This module covers all types of health insurance—individual coverage purchased on or off the Health Insurance Marketplace or provided by government programs such as Medicaid, employer-sponsored health plans, and Medicare—as well as options for those who do not have access to coverage due to eligibility or affordability constraints.

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Our new annual report is available!

Consumer Action’s annual report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, records the organization’s efforts, activities, accomplishments and partnerships. It also highlights vital statistics about our work, discloses budget and funding information, highlights community-based organizations in our network, and lists staff and board members. Click here

Monday, December 16, 2019

SCAM GRAM: Knock-off makeup ingredients are not pretty

The December 2019 issue of SCAM GRAM discusses a new docuseries called “Broken” as well as other scam and fraud related articles and tips.

Tuesday, October 01, 2019

Know a SCAM when you see it: Read SCAM GRAM

Wednesday, September 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, 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.