03/01/2019 | Consumer Action INSIDER - March 2019
The March issue updates readers on the results of our survey on consumer preferences for paper vs. electronic billing; what to do when you've unsubscribed from an email list, but the emails just keep coming; the problems with PACE home improvement loans; and more!

11/18/2014 | Specialty Consumer Reports Issue (Fall 2014)
Consumer Action has compiled information for consumers about "specialty consumer reports.” Like credit reports, these specialized consumer reports gather details about individuals to help companies predict a customer’s risk level to a business. But the existence of these “specialty” reports is not well known among consumers, who stand to lose the most if the reports contain errors or omissions.

07/22/2014 | Medical Credit Card Survey Issue (Summer 2014)
Being able to borrow the money for a medical or dental procedure rather than deplete savings or forgo needed care sounds like a great option—even better if the lender touts a 0% interest rate. Consumer Action surveyed seven medical credit cards and a handful of medical loan products, some of which offer “interest free” patient financing. See how they stacked up and what you need to know about deferred-interest financing promotions in the Medical Credit Card Survey issue of Consumer Action News.

09/23/2013 | Pre-purchase resources (September 2013)
Consumer Action has compiled a new Pre-purchase Resource Guide, featured in the latest issue of Consumer Action News, which also includes pointers for checking a professional’s credentials, tips on vetting the research tools you use and information about consumer rights if problems arise. (The PDF file may contain outdated links.)

05/31/2013 | Peer-to-Peer Payments Survey (May 2013)
In its new survey of the “person-to-person”—P2P—payments industry, Consumer Action compares the ever-evolving ways consumers can electronically fund, send and receive personal payments—often with just a few taps on their smartphone keyboard. We also share the results of our satisfaction survey of consumers who’ve already adopted P2P payments to transfer money to friends, family members, the babysitter and others.

10/31/2012 | 2012 Fall Issue: Credit Card Comparison Site Survey
Consumer Action looked at 54 sites to determine which ones offer the most useful and complete information to credit card shoppers. To narrow the list, we evaluated them using a checklist of key elements—and 13 met all or most of our criteria. Three sites met all nine criteria.

06/21/2012 | 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. (The PDF file may contain outdated links.)

04/12/2012 | 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.

11/28/2011 | 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.

02/03/2011 | Comparing cards still a struggle but CARD Act helps