August 2022 • Issue 2, Volume 13 • www.consumer-action.org
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[Consumer Action's] articles are readable, and concise. Not lengthy essays that are time consuming to get through. The information is current, and helpful. --RR, Manistee, MI, via Consumer Action feedback survey
Did you know?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is working to ensure that consumers have options when it comes to repairing faulty or broken products. In a recent "right to repair" case, the Commission ordered Harley-Davidson and Westinghouse "to fix warranties by removing illegal terms and recognizing the right to repair, come clean with customers, and ensure that dealers compete fairly with independent third-parties." According to the FTC, the companies imposed "illegal warranty terms that voided customers' warranties if they used anyone other than the companies and their authorized dealers to get parts or repairs for their products"--sources that are potentially more expensive than independent repair shops. Learn more about the FTC efforts to ensure that manufacturers do not place restrictions on repair rights by locking customers into unfair contractual terms.
Experian funds financial capability/credit education initiative with DEI lens
By Audrey Perrott
Under a new project, funded by Experian, Consumer Action will launch a multi-state financial capability and credit education initiative to help diverse, underrepresented consumers improve their financial health. Read more.
Hotline Chronicles: Interest-heavy payments burn
By Linda Sherry
A California man who took out a $3,000-plus car title loan in 2019 learned he has paid only $75 toward the principal, despite making regular on-time monthly payments of more than $300. He calls it "predatory lending and senior abuse." Read more.
Coalition Efforts: Simplified tax filing and improved air passenger rights among advocacy efforts
By Monica Steinisch
Consumer Action often joins its allies in letters, comments and complaints calling for change, standing up for consumer rights, supporting or opposing proposed laws, pressing for enforcement, 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: Pressure on banks to protect P2P users, vanishing credit lines, and defending your data privacy
By Ruth Susswein
In this regular feature, we detail recent actions taken by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This month, the CFPB prepares to pressure banks to refund P2P users when they are defrauded, and a new Bureau study reveals dramatic cuts in credit lines, leaving consumers with little financial flexibility for future economic downturns. Read more.
Class Action Database: Not a dry eye for Restasis manufacturer
By Monica Steinisch
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 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 and special reports about financial and consumer services, Consumer Action helps consumers assert their rights in the marketplace and make financially savvy choices. More than 6,500 community and grassroots organizations benefit annually from its extensive outreach programs, training materials and support. Read more. Read more.
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