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Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Learn the costs, benefits and drawbacks of investing

Investing is necessary if you want to outpace inflation and achieve long-term financial goals. In the “Investment Basics” issue of Consumer Action News, we offer essential information and resources for understanding and managing the costs of investing, vetting financial advisers, avoiding common investing pitfalls and fine-tuning your investment game. We also report on the status of the fiduciary rule—increased protection for investors that is being resisted by some in the industry and government.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

SCAM GRAM: Is your pharmacist ‘clawing back’ undue profits?

SCAM GRAM is Consumer Action’s monthly e-newsletter alerting you to the dirtiest players in the world of tech fraud, credit card scams, ID theft and general con-artistry. Don’t be fooled by liars, cheats and crooks—wise up with SCAM GRAM!

Pull back the curtain on prescription drug prices

A California state bill, SB 17, would require pharmaceutical companies to be upfront about their prescription drug pricing. It would require 60 days of advance notice before price hikes could take effect, and would require drug companies to provide information about the reasons for the increase.

Every year, Big Pharma raises prescription drug prices by about 10% per year without giving the public any justification or advance warning. If we can help SB 17 to pass, they will have to provide both.

Wednesday, August 02, 2017

Hotline Chronicles: Be forewarned about ‘settlement’ investments

In a viatical settlement, an owner of the life insurance policy (the “viator”) sells the policy to a firm for cash. Those firms often sell “shares” to investors.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Tell your California state senators that your privacy is not for sale

Broadband internet service providers (like AT&T, Comcast, Verizon and others) often sell information about you and your online activities without your consent. A state bill (AB 375) would prevent this, but it needs your help!

Here’s the background: in 2016, the FCC passed rules that safeguarded your information from being sold by your internet provider without your consent. But the new Congress, in one of its many pro-corporate, anti-consumer moves, repealed the FCC rules in a way that prevents the FCC from ever writing a similar regulation in the future. So it’s up to the states to restore what Congress has taken away from us, and it’s up to us to get our state officials to vote for legislation (AB 375) that would bring these protections back.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Don’t get angry, get our free ‘How to Complain’ guide!

Consumer Action has updated its perennial favorite guide, How to Complain. The free and comprehensive booklet is designed to help you complain effectively and get results. How to Complain includes advice on how to approach businesses with a complaint; escalating a complaint through customer service or a company’s executive offices; writing emails and letters about your complaint; and documenting your complaint.

Monday, June 19, 2017

You MUST be given a copy of your prescription without asking

It has been 13 years since President George W. Bush signed the Fairness for Contact Lens Consumers Act into law, requiring optometrists to provide prescriptions to patients so they can shop around for better prices. Yet, a new Consumer Action survey finds that close to one-third of consumers are still not being given their prescriptions following eye exams. This anti-consumer and illegal practice has to stop!

Friday, June 16, 2017

Investor scam meter and more in June SCAM GRAM

The June 2017 SCAM GRAM is full of great information to help you avoid rip-offs and fraud.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Can what’s NOT in your credit report help you get credit?

In this issue of Consumer Action News, we examine how alternative data may affect access to credit for consumers with limited credit options. Included are the results of a poll we conducted to gauge consumer attitudes about the use of alternative data (non-loan-related information) in lending decisions.

Monday, May 15, 2017

SCAM GRAM: Don’t get clipped by scam coupons!

Fake gift cards and coupons for many popular retailers have infiltrated the internet.