Site Archive

Survey Archive

The Survey Archive provides rapid access to all the surveys produced by Consumer Action. This includes credit card, telephone, and banking surveys.

Peer-to-Peer Lending Survey (June 2012) Consumer Action compared the three major P2P lending websites—Lending Club, Peerform and Prosper. Promoted as a more accessible and less expensive option for borrowers, P2P loans have their advantages, but they’re not without their costs—and they’re not an option for all consumers. The publication also contains findings from the organization’s research into legitimate loan alternatives for consumers with no credit history or damaged credit who have few, if any, borrowing opportunities.
Published: Jun 21, 2012 • Viewed: 17289 times

Prepaid Card Survey (April 2012) Consumer Action took a look at the market for general purpose reloadable prepaid cards—an alternative to credit and debit cards—and collected our findings in a new survey that examines 28 cards from 11 issuers.
Published: Apr 12, 2012 • Viewed: 24200 times

2011 Fall Issue: Secured Credit Card Survey The Fall 2011 issue of Consumer Action News features our new Secured Credit Card Survey. Secured credit cards are backed by a security deposit that you provide to the card issuer. Terms vary widely among surveyed cards so it pays to compare before you apply for a secured credit card.
Published: Nov 28, 2011 • Viewed: 21639 times

2010-2011 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action's 2010-2011 Credit Card Survey contains information on credit card rates, fees, terms and industry practices for 41 cards from 20 issuers.
Published: Feb 02, 2011 • Viewed: 18492 times

2009 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action's 2009 Credit Card Survey contains information on credit card rates, fees, terms and industry practices for 39 cards from 22 issuers.
Published: Aug 12, 2009 • Viewed: 43583 times

2008 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action's 2008 Credit Card Survey examines 41 cards from 22 financial institutions, including the top 10 U.S. credit card issuers, six low-rate issuers and six large credit unions.
Published: Jul 22, 2008 • Viewed: 36185 times

2007 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action's 2007 Credit Card Survey was conducted between Oct. 9, 2006 and March 2, 2007. Consumer Action examined 83 cards from 20 banks, including the top 10 U.S. credit card issuers. In our new report we detail our findings on change of terms provisions, penalty rate policies, balance transfer costs and offers, fees to pay by phone and to make last-minute payments online, cash advance costs, residual interest and two-cycle billing, minimum ages for authorized users, rewards cards, arbitration clauses and minimum payment formulas.
Published: May 23, 2007 • Viewed: 59174 times

Prepaid Wireless Survey (Fall 2005) Prepaid Wireless Survey: Consumer Action looks at prepaid wireless plans offered by 12 companies and finds that prepaid wireless is a viable option to postpaid plans in terms of price and services. This issue also contains a report on Consumer Action's annual fundraiser.
Published: Dec 12, 2005 • Viewed: 21386 times

2005 Interstate Telephone Rates Survey Consumer Action's new survey of residential phone rates compares 46 long distance domestic calling plans from 22 companies and international calling plans from eight carriers. The study finds new miscellaneous charges, including many non-government-mandated regulatory assessment fees, and steep hikes in the cost of directory assistance, collect calls and calling card calls. The survey includes detailed charts on calling plans, basic rates, directory assistance charges and nationwide cell phone plans with anytime minutes.
Published: Feb 01, 2005 • Viewed: 15060 times

2004 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action examined 140 cards from 45 issuers for its 2004 Credit Card Survey and documented increased penalty fees and rates, "zero interest" introductory offers, cash advance rates, currency conversion fees and rewards cards, among other details of interest to cardholders.
Published: Mar 21, 2004 • Viewed: 20780 times

2004 Residential Telephone Rate Survey Consumer Actions's annual phone survey looks at 47 state-to-state long distance calling plans and 17 local-long distance bundle plans from 22 carriers. This information can help you shop around to cut your residential phone rates.
Published: Feb 02, 2004 • Viewed: 18637 times

2003 Overdraft Protection Survey A new Consumer Action (CA) survey of overdraft protection plans found 25 plans at 26 banks nationwide. This widely available banking option can be a cost-effective way to avoid bounced checks.
Published: Jul 01, 2003 • Viewed: 22529 times

2003 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action surveyed 143 credit cards issued by 47 companies and found growing costs and an increase in anti-consumer practices.
Published: Mar 01, 2003 • Viewed: 16905 times

2002 Long Distance Telephone Rates Survey Consumer Action's annual survey of long distance rates reviewed 21 carriers and 47 discount calling plans, and found a 17% increase in basic per-minute rates along with a significant jump in the cost of calling card calls and collect calls.
Published: Dec 01, 2002 • Viewed: 20531 times

2002 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action surveyed 126 credit cards issued by 42 companies and found growing costs and an increase in anti-consumer practices.
Published: Mar 01, 2002 • Viewed: 14983 times

2001 Long Distance Telephone Rates Survey Consumer Action's annual survey of long distance rates reviewed 19 carriers and 44 discount calling plans, and found a 13% increase in basic per-minute rates along with new and sometimes significantly higher charges, surcharges, and fees.
Published: Sep 01, 2001 • Viewed: 9907 times

2001 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action surveyed 109 credit cards issued by 45 companies and found growing costs and an increase in anti-consumer practices.
Published: Apr 01, 2001 • Viewed: 16879 times

2000 Long Distance Rates Survey Consumer Action's 2000 Long Distance Rates Survey spotlights enormous long distance price increases in the past 10 years for Big Three (AT&T, MCI-WorldCom, and Sprint) customers who don't use a calling plan.
Published: Sep 01, 2000 • Viewed: 8440 times

2000 Online Banking Survey In its new Online Banking Survey, Consumer Action discovered that many virtual banks can save you money in fees and give you much better interest rates, not only on savings accounts, but on checking and money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs).
Published: May 18, 2000 • Viewed: 12575 times

1999 - 2000 Credit Card Survey In this issue, you'll find CA's annual pricing survey of 105 credit cards from 63 banks, as well as the 10 lowest rate cards CA found. Also, there are stories on getting information from help lines and card issuers' web sites.
Published: Mar 01, 2000 • Viewed: 11884 times

1999 Long Distance Telephone Rate Survey Consumer Action's 1999 edition gives lowest per-minute rates on interstate calls from 15 carriers during the Daytime and Evening/Night/Weekend rate periods. Includes details on domestic calling plans and advice on choosing the best plan. Also, 22 calling card plans are compared in three categories; plans with no fees, plans with monthly fees, and plans with per-call surcharge fees.
Published: Jun 01, 1999 • Viewed: 6946 times

10-10 Long Distance Phone Survey Consumer Action's survey of 'dial-around' long distance services finds that savings are possible, but 10-10 traps can be costly and easy to fall into.
Published: Mar 02, 1999 • Viewed: 28457 times

1998-1999 Credit Card Survey In this issue, you'll find CA's annual pricing survey of 117 credit cards from 74 banks, as well as the 10 lowest rate cards CA found. Also, there are stories on how to avoid tricky credit card company tactics and proposed national credit card consumer protection legislation.
Published: Mar 01, 1999 • Viewed: 9699 times

1999 California Home Electric Survey Consumer Action surveyed the rates and terms of 11 home electric service providers and three utility distribution companies in California. There is general information on utility deregulation, how to choose an electric service provider, your rights as a utility consumer, how to avoid fraud and rip-offs, medical and low income ratepayer assistance programs, how to read an electric bill, green power options, and an interview with the California Public Utilities Commission.
Published: Jan 31, 1999 • Viewed: 8512 times

1998 Secured Credit Card Survey In this issue, you'll find CA's annual pricing survey of 21 secured credit cards. Also, there are stories on getting your credit reports, identity theft protection, and California electric power deregulation.
Published: Dec 01, 1998 • Viewed: 10743 times