CA News & Special Reports Archive

2018

September

01

• Consumer Action INSIDER - September 2018.
  The September issue features a Hotline Chronicles article about credit card surcharges; a Maryland organization that helps strengthen family finances and economic stability; coverage of an event in Washington, DC, looking at the state of financial reform 10 years after the Grand Recession; and CFPB Watch and new class actions.

August

• Consumer Action INSIDER - August 2018.
  This month's INSIDER updates readers on recent events (including Public Citizen's Affordable Medicines Now conference, the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue’s annual meeting on the impact of technology on consumers, and the Credit Builders Alliance Training Institute); breaks down the pros and cons of a new California data protection law; tells the tale of a consumer who was charged too much for her out-of-country car rental due to "currency conversion" issues; updates readers on the latest happenings at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (which is currently under assault by its own director); gives information on our "coalition efforts" and lists the latest lawsuit settlements from our Class Action Database.

July

• Consumer Action INSIDER - July 2018.
  This month's INSIDER promotes our new education modules on disaster preparedness for homeowners/rents and on how to evade scammers; tells the tale of a consumer who was given the runaround by his home warranty company when he needed a hot water heater; updates readers on the latest happenings at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (which is currently under assault by its own director); gives information on our "coalition efforts" and lists the latest lawsuit settlements from our Class Action Database.

June

• Consumer Action INSIDER - June 2018.
  This month's INSIDER highlights the 2018 Consumer Lobby Day in Washington, DC; updates you on the latest changes to the California LifeLine discounted phone service program; gives advice on how you can use social media to complain about your customer concerns; and promotes our new Vision Action Center (which outlines the rights of consumers who purchase contact lenses and eyeglasses), among other articles. We also update readers on our latest "coalition efforts" and list the latest lawsuit settlements from our Class Action Database.

May

• Consumer Action INSIDER - May 2018.
  This month's INSIDER brings you articles on our work to highlight missing mandatory signs at optometrists' offices in California; the results of a survey of our network partners about our consumer educational materials; our train-the-trainer event on job training and apprenticeship programs; and a new financial health pilot we're working on, among other news. Hotline Chronicles tells the story of the hasty repossession of a woman's deceased dad's car and we have a crop of "coalition efforts" and some interesting new lawsuit settlements from our Class Action Database.

April

• Consumer Action INSIDER - April 2018.
  This month's INSIDER brings you stories about the Federal Trade Commission's Contact Lens Workshop; an agency that protects municipal bond investors; updates to our Consumer Services Guide; new legislation we're following in California; and planning activities for our annual Consumer Empowerment Conference. Hotline Chronicles discusses a complaint from a homebuyer who was asked to pay a real estate agent in advance in order to find a home.

March

• Consumer Action INSIDER - March 2018.
  The March issue offers information for taxpayers, such as news of our updated Earned Income Tax Credit brochure and "hacks" to help with your taxes, as well as the release of a new slide deck for trainers who teach adults, a "Roundup" of new class actions and political shenanigans at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Hotline Chronicles hears from a man with a "surprise" medical bill—a growing problem because of increasing deductibles and strict in-network health plans.

February

• Consumer Action INSIDER - February 2018.
  This month's Hotline Chronicles looks at how to avoid tax scams. The new INSIDER also features articles about a recent train-the-trainer event focusing on vocational and job training schools; an interview with the leader of an innovative partner agency; how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's priorities have changed with political winds; and new class actions and coalition activities.

January

02

• Consumer Action INSIDER - January 2018.
  The January 2018 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter gives readers the scoop on an "investor bootcamp" that one of our allies recently held in Washington, DC; features an enlightening interview with a representative from the Bank on San Francisco initiative; gives advice on how to handle bad customer service; presents our latest issue of Consumer Action News (on student loan repayment options) and much more.

2017

November

30

• Consumer Action INSIDER - December 2017.
  The December 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter updates readers on last month's National Consumer Empowerment Conference; gives housing agencies and their staff an overview of a valuable HUD resource; cautions against purchasing fraudulent "knock off bags" and other luxury products; introduces our latest annual report and more.

October

31

• Consumer Action INSIDER - November 2017.
  The November 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter updates readers on our recent 46th year anniversary and awards event in Washington, DC, guides them on what to do to restore paper-based communications from companies that only want to offer electronic billing and other statements, outlines efforts by the Center for Financial Services Innovation to help business determine and improve the financial health of their customers, and more.

02

• Consumer Action INSIDER - October 2017.
  The October 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter updates readers on a new Credit Builders Alliance educational program, advises consumers on how to combat the increasing spread of fake news, gives instructions on how to respond in the wake of the massive Equifax data breach, outlines our latest efforts to educate community-based organizations on elder financial abuse, and more.

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.

01

• Consumer Action INSIDER - August 2017.
  The August 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter updates readers on a recent national net neutrality "day of action"; describes our congressional testimony in support of defrauded student loan borrowers; cautions against investing in settlements; describes our updated California LifeLine phone program publication; and more.

July

• Consumer Action INSIDER - July 2017.
  The July 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter updates readers on a Washington, DC awards dinner honoring leading consumer privacy advocates; describes a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau roundtable on existing financial protections for servicemembers and veterans; gives advice on what to do if you are concerned your lawyer is engaging in ethical violations or malpractice; and more.

June

• Consumer Action INSIDER - June 2017.
  The June 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter outlines our digital literacy and debt collection education and outreach efforts; presents our newest publication on insurance and taxes in the 'sharing economy'; tells you what to do when your storage unit starts costing too much; honors National Fair Housing Month; and more.

May

31

• Alternative data and financial inclusion (Summer 2017).
  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.

01

• Consumer Action INSIDER - May 2017.
  The May 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter gives you an update on our efforts to educate seniors on elder fraud and scams; details the DASH for the STASH investor education initiative; tells the story of one homeowner with out-of-control homeowners insurance rates; and more.

April

03

• Consumer Action INSIDER - April 2017.
  The April 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter gives you an update on how consumers and advocates are holding Wells Fargo's feet to the fire after its notorious fraudulent account debacle; tells the tale of one person who worked with the CFPB to resolve a two-year mortgage nightmare and others who have had to address problems with defective used cars; details our partnerships with nonprofit groups working to serve low-income and servicemember populations; and more.

March

08

• Rules at Risk (Spring 2017).
  Much progress has been achieved for American consumers in recent years. But many of these protections are now at risk of repeal.

01

• Consumer Action INSIDER - March 2017.
  The March 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter teaches you how to understand your credit score better; updates you on a new study on how communities are pushing back against payday lending; details our latest financial counseling webinar (co-hosted with FICO); outlines recent California legislation impacting consumer privacy and more.

February

• Consumer Action INSIDER - February 2017.
  The February 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter introduces two new guides (one on savvy online shopping and another on updates to the Earned Income Tax Credit); introduces our latest annual report; teaches you how to avoid paying for your paid tax preparer's mistakes; details a series of online banking webinars; and more.

January

10

• Language Access Issue (Winter 2016-2017).
  The latest issue of Consumer Action News covers the challenges that consumers with limited English proficiency (LEP) face in the United States today and describes the policies and resources developed to help them function in an English-centric society.

02

• Consumer Action INSIDER - January 2017.
  The January 2017 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter gives you a recap of our National Consumer Empowerment Conference, explains the recent "friend of the court" briefings we've filed, fills you in on the invaluable work our fair housing allies are engaging in, offers advice on what to do when confronted with data overage fees and more.

2016

November

30

• Consumer Action INSIDER - December 2016.
  The December 2016 issue of Consumer Action's monthly newsletter brings you news of our updated debt collection resources, explains why you might need earthquake insurance, fills you in on our 45th anniversary celebration, offers advice on what to do when confronted with restocking fees, and more.