News

2017

September

19

• Stuck in the middle with few housing options. Housing is expensive for everyone in the Bay Area, but it’s especially challenging for middle-income buyers. Most new supply is at the high or low end. The gap in between is often called “the missing…

18

• California legislature passes bills to reform PACE energy-efficiency loans. Two bills that would boost protections for consumers taking out PACE home-improvement loans are headed to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk after passing the Legislature. The regulations come amid criticism by consumer advocates that too many…

16

• Five tips for choosing a reliable nursing home. The news that eight Florida nursing home residents died in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma has prompted a criminal investigation and spurred widespread outrage. Experts in nursing home quality say there are some steps families…

15

• African Americans only racial group still making less than in 2000. African Americans are the only racial group the Census Bureau identifies that has been left behind. White, Asian and Hispanic households have all seen at least modest income gains since 2000.

14

• Equifax's free credit freeze won't fully protect you, here's what to do. In the days since the credit reporting firm Equifax disclosed the breach of 143 million consumers’ private financial data, howls of outrage have only grown louder. Assume thieves have your information. Your chance to limit…

13

• U.S. middle-class incomes reached highest-ever level in 2016. The incomes of middle-class Americans rose last year to the highest level ever recorded by the Census Bureau, as poverty declined and the scars of the past decade’s Great Recession seemed to finally fade. Yet…

12

• To help hurricane victims, it may become easier to tap 401(k) accounts. Congress may temporarily loosen the laws governing the popular 401(k) savings plans to allow hurricane victims to tap into their retirement to pay recovery costs from Harvey and Irma.

• The cost of the American dream. Americans, especially rich ones, underestimate the importance of where and to whom they are born.

07

• Equifax says cybersecurity incident could affect 143 million consumers. Equifax said it discovered the breach on July 29. "Criminals exploited a U.S. website application vulnerability to gain access to certain files," the company explained. Leaked data includes names, birth dates, social security numbers, addresses…

• Good news we could all use: Stories of money success. “I paid off my mortgage on July 3,” one reader wrote. “THAT was Independence Day! Well, two weeks later, I received a check from the mortgage company, which was the balance of my escrow account.…

06

• Wells Fargo accused of forcing mortgage applicants to pay unwarranted fees. Wells Fargo, the controversy-battered big bank, has a new problem — this one directly affecting mortgage applicants. Last week, a first-time home buyer filed a class-action suit against the company, alleging widespread abuse of a…

• Immigrants are sought for labor shortage in Harvey recovery. Day laborers — many of them immigrants and many of them in the country illegally — will continue to be in high demand in the wake of Hurricane Harvey as workers who clear debris make…

05

• Writing off a catastrophic loss. You might be able to deduct a portion of the loss on your tax return.

August

31

• Consumer Action INSIDER - September 2017. The September 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter introduces readers to a housing agency that's using Consumer Action's free resources to help clients; provides information on a California bill that would protect consumers in the event of another Wells Fargo-type scandal; details how the FTC is fighting robocalls; offers detailed information on our upcoming National Consumer Empowerment Conference; and more.

• 35 % of Americans are enrolled in auto pay — and It’s news to them. Tempted to give that new streaming service or gym membership a trial run? Be sure to read the fine print.  According to a new survey by CreditCards.com, 35 percent of U.S. adults have set up…

• 3 myths that could tank your credit score. Myth No. 1: Closing out credit card accounts will boost your score Many people assume that if they close out a bunch of credit card accounts, their credit scores will rise. After all, having fewer…

• Here’s what you need to know about flood insurance. As tens of thousands of people in Southeast Texas try to recover from the devastating floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey, many homeowners will discover damage to their homes isn’t covered.  The problem?  Many people didn’t have…

30

• The Trump administration’s ongoing attack on workers. When it comes to supporting the jobs and living standards of many of the voters who helped elect him, Trump is not simply failing. He is actively working to make people’s lives worse.

• HUD tightens requirements for loans seniors can take against homes. Concerned about financial losses in a federally insured mortgage program for seniors, the Department of Housing and Urban Development on Tuesday announced plans to adjust premiums and limit financial draws for elderly homeowners taking such…

• Harvey’s burdens will fall hardest on the poor. The catastrophe on the Texas coast makes little or no distinction between rich and poor — for now, anyway. The gates of a gated community can’t hold back the waters of an epic flood. But…