Latest Consumer affairs News

Why you shouldn't store your money in payment apps

Oct. 16, 2024 10:50 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Connor Tomasko grew up wary of credit cards. As she taught herself more about managing money, she realized that many people also have bad habits when it comes to payment apps. Tomasko, 31, a freelance software consultant in Chicago, understands why people appreciate...

Newsom wants a do-over on the lemon car law he just signed. Will it hurt buyers?

Oct. 03, 2024 13:35 PM EDT

In the chaotic final days of the legislative session, lawmakers jammed through major changes to California’s “Lemon Law ” that protects consumers from defective cars even as members complained that the complex legislation was rushed too quickly. Gov. Gavin Newsom nonetheless...

How to get relief from unexpectedly high medical bills

Aug. 12, 2024 05:21 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Unexpectedly high medical bills are common in the United States, but there are ways to get relief. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, one in five Americans are affected by outstanding medical debt, for a total cost of $88 billion. In a 2022...

The US government wants to make it easier for you to click the 'unsubscribe' button

Aug. 12, 2024 05:14 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the name of consumer protection, a slew of U.S. federal agencies are working to make it easier for Americans to click the unsubscribe button for unwanted memberships and recurring payment services. A broad new government initiative, dubbed “Time Is Money,"...

Utility company's proposal to rat out hidden marijuana operations to police raises privacy concerns

Aug. 07, 2024 12:26 PM EDT

BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Operators of illegal marijuana grow enterprises hidden inside rural homes in Maine don’t have to worry much about prying neighbors. But their staggering electric bills may give rise to a new snitch. An electric utility made an unusual proposal to help law...

FTC orders 8 companies to provide information on 'surveillance pricing' practices

Jul. 23, 2024 18:24 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Trade Commission has ordered information from eight companies that the agency says offer products and services that use personal data to set prices based on a shopper’s individual characteristics. In a Tuesday announcement, the FTC said it was seeking...