February 2020 • Issue Eight, Volume Ten • www.consumer-action.org
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What people are saying
[Read Consumer Action's SCAM GRAM to learn] "How to stay one step ahead of crooks, conmen and grifters."
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Did you know?
Since 2010, the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) budget has been reduced by about 20%, and the number of full-time employees working for the agency has declined by approximately 22%. The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate--the independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer rights--has pointed out in its newly released annual report to Congress that answering 100 million telephone calls, conducting audits and staying on top of enforcement actions requires adequate budget and staffing (which the IRS sorely lacks). The report recommends that Congress increase funding for taxpayer service and information technology (IT) modernization, noting, "Mostly because of antiquated technology, a smaller workforce and an increasing workload, [the IRS] cannot afford to provide the quality of service that taxpayers deserve." Read the full report for these and a slew of other pressing concerns relevant to taxpayers.
Confused about healthcare coverage? We've got you covered
The latest addition to our consumer education library--a three-part Health Insurance module--explains the healthcare coverage options, costs and key considerations for virtually every patient demographic, from students to seniors. Read more...
Consumer Action to host financial technology (FinTech) trainings
Consumer Action will be hosting two in-person trainings and two webinars this month to educate our community partners on new financial technology (FinTech) and how it can be used to help consumers save money, budget better, and more. Interested in participating? Read on! Read more...
Hotline Chronicles: Spreading the word stops scams
When it comes to avoiding a scam, knowledge is power. Our materials and newsletters can help you learn about the latest (and not so greatest) scams and frauds, so that you can get the word out and cut scammers off at the pass. Read more...
Senators demand to know: Where's the relief for wronged consumers?
The CFPB appears to be all talk and no action when it comes to pursuing organizations that have deceived, defrauded or otherwise wronged consumers. Now, a group of senators are calling on the Federal Reserve's Inspector General to find out why the Bureau isn't forcing corporations to return ill-gotten gains to consumers. Read more...
Coalition Efforts: Pushing back against fraud, greed and misinformation
Consumer Action often joins its allies in letters, comments and complaints calling for change, standing up for consumer rights, supporting or opposing proposed laws, and objecting to corporate misbehavior, among other activities. We collect these in the Coalition Efforts section of our website. Each month in the INSIDER we highlight some recent activities. Read more...
CFPB Watch: New task 'farce' outrages advocates; help for housing counselors
In this regular feature, we detail recent actions taken by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This month, we examine the Bureau's creation of a new taskforce that consumer advocates have labeled a task "farce"; highlight the Bureau's advisory committees and the State of California's new "mini-CFPB"; and explain how a recent CFPB "no-action" letter gives banks the green light to support the housing counseling industry.
Read more...
Class Action Database: Wish(dot)com is probably wishing it hadn't...
Consumer Action maintains a database of class actions so that interested consumers can learn more, join a pending action or make a claim. Class action lawsuits are an important element of consumer protection and can force changes to anti-consumer business practices and make bad actors return ill-gotten gains to consumers. Read more...
About Consumer Action
Consumer Action has been a champion of underrepresented consumers nationwide since 1971. A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Consumer Action focuses on consumer education that empowers low- and moderate-income and limited-English-speaking consumers to financially prosper. It also advocates for consumers in the media and before lawmakers to advance consumer rights and promote industry-wide change.
By providing consumer education materials in multiple languages, a free national hotline, a comprehensive website (www.consumer-action.org) and annual surveys of financial and consumer services, Consumer Action helps consumers assert their rights in the marketplace and make financially savvy choices. Nearly 7,000 community and grassroots organizations benefit annually from its extensive outreach programs, training materials and support.
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