December 2020 • Issue 6, Volume 11 • www.consumer-action.org
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What people are saying
It has been a pleasure to partner with Consumer Action and work alongside you--thank you for your continued support throughout the pilot program.
Even with some of the challenges we faced due to the coronavirus pandemic,
I have to say that FinTech is an excellent resource to add to the work Delhi Center does in ensuring our community continues to climb up the ladder of economic well-being.
-Nancy De León, Case Manager, Delhi Center
Did you know?
Microplastics pollute our wildlife, rivers, oceans, beaches...and even our bodies! These tiny bits of plastic infiltrate the environment from a variety of sources, including garbage, manufacturing byproducts and consumer products. Progress has been made, however, in reducing microplastics: "Microbeads" are particles of microplastic that used to be popular in beauty products (think exfoliating face scrubs), but have recently been phased out due to their impact on fish and other wildlife. Unfortunately, microbeads are still used to create glitter (even "biodegradable" glitter). And single-use plastics (e.g., bottled water) are often created with microplastics that ultimately break down into a toxic stew. Put your purchasing power to work by avoiding these types of plastic pollutants whenever possible. (You can download the app Beat the Microbead to check for microplastics in common products.)
The enduring impact of racism on your finances
If you're a person of color, you don't need us to tell you about the impact of racism on your life. We've recently published a comprehensive report, however, that details the very specific impact of institutionalized racism on your finances--from getting a fair rate on a loan, to building generational wealth. The report also serves as a helpful guide to overcoming discriminatory financial practices. As we point out, it's high time for some serious system-wide change. Read more...
Using FinTech to manage money? You need to watch this
Consumer Action will be distributing videos (in English and Spanish) to consumers across the country to help them save and manage their money via financial technology--"FinTech"--websites and apps. Read more...
Hotline Chronicles: What does your 'tenant report' say about you?
Landlords can buy reports that screen prospective
tenants to learn if the applicants have been responsible
renters in the past. A man contacted our hotline for
information about how he could see what was in his
screening report. Read more...
Funder brings Consumer Action's FinTech education to Arizona
Underserved consumers in Arizona will soon be using FinTech apps to manage their finances. With the support of a San Francisco-based cooperatively-owned wholesale bank serving Arizona, California and Nevada lenders, Consumer Action is bringing financial technology to those who need it most! Read more...
Coalition Efforts: Deregulation during the worst possible time
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: Pausing mortgage payments and 'reorganizing' attempts
In this regular feature, we detail recent actions taken by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This month, we highlight the Bureau's helpful advice for struggling homeowners who are (or may become) behind on their mortgage payments. We also alert readers to a proposed organizational restructuring that would have gutted the Bureau's ability to enforce the law, and explore the future of the Bureau under the incoming administration. Read more...
Class Action Database: 1-800 Contacts sees the error of its ways?
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 nonprofit 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. More than 6,000 community and grassroots organizations benefit annually from its extensive outreach programs, training materials and support. Read more...
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