Consumer Action

Alerts

Consumer Action's Alerts highlights trends in consumer complaints, scams, outrageous fees and other notable consumer information.

Latin lotto scam (Feb 19, 2008)
One California senior nearly lost $25,000 to a fraud currently operating in the Bay Area but known nationally as the…
Beware of greenwashing (Feb 13, 2008)
The California Department of Consumer Affairs has issued the following scam alert on its latest Consumer Connection newsletter. …
BBB warns of ‘Secret Shopper’ swindle (Dec 31, 2007)
Now that the holidays are about over, are you strapped for cash and looking for "easy" money? If the answer…

Airlines’ second-bag fee (Mar 04, 2008)
Two major airlines, United Airlines and US Airways, have recently announced a new baggage policy that will require consumers traveling…
Insurance Premium Installment Fees (Jan 17, 2008)
We often hear the phrase, “The poor pay more,” and here’s a couple concrete examples of how people who can’t…
Gift Ticket Fee (Sep 13, 2007)
With airline ticket prices getting more expensive, taking the bus may present the best opportunity to travel on the cheap.…

Congressional Consumer Justice Caucus forms (Apr 17, 2008)
Congressman Keith Ellison (center) with representatives from consumer and civil rights groups. …
Hearing the credit card abuse stories (Mar 12, 2008)
UPDATE: In a stunning turn-around, the consumer witnesses in this story were not allowed to testify because they would not…
Qualifying for the IRS tax rebate (Mar 10, 2008)
How to get the check from the IRS Filing a tax return is a must to qualify for a…

Reforms proposed to title insurance industry (Apr 28, 2008)
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today announced efficiency reforms to the title insurance industry to reduce extraneous costs from the…
New California laws to help consumers (Feb 29, 2008)
In 2007, California lawmakers passed 964 bills, according to the Senate Office of Research, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed 750…
Protecting yourself from predatory towing (Dec 17, 2007)
From Consumer Connection, a publication of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Tow truck drivers risk their lives…