Outreach & Training
Consumer Action’s multilingual and multicultural community outreach managers work to empower individual consumers and community educators nationwide through free, unbiased, rights-focused consumer literacy information and training. The team works with a nationwide network of community-based organizations (CBOs) and host many free educational webinars. Please join us! Click here and register for these upcoming webinars.
Our Events
- Consumer Action hosts webinar on Emergency Broadband Benefit
The webinar was attended by 212 staff members of community agencies. - Webinar explores impact of COVID-19 on retirement savings
The retirement savings webinar, funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and led by Consumer Action’s Outreach team, drew 160 attendees. - Webinar explores the rise of contactless payments
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers have begun to see contactless payments as a safer way to pay, without the fears that come with touching “germ-y” cash and PIN pads. Even after health-related concerns subside, this increasingly popular payment option is likely to stick around.
Training Tools
- Resources for Learning About Scams
This two-page handout outlines resources for learning about scams. - Consumer Action reaches Spanish-speakers through print and TV coverage during COVID
Consumer Action's diverse, multilingual staff regularly works with local, national and ethnic media to bring attention to key consumer issues, expose anti-consumer practices and warn consumers about the newest scams to look out for. - After a Disaster: ID Theft, Scams and Insurance (Presentation)
Consumer Action's Linda Williams explains common scams and problems encountered by consumers who have been affected by a disaster.
Our Network
- Spread the word: Nonprofits needed for financial health measurement study
Attune, a developer of tools that enable businesses and organizations to gather and analyze automated financial health data, is offering one or two nonprofits the opportunity to test its financial health measurement platform. - Helping people to manage medical expenses and debt
Consumer Action teamed up with the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) at Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland, to discuss medical debt—how it starts, strategies to manage medical expenses, and programs that help pay medical bills. - Making sense of pandemic-related aid and assistance
Consumer Action teamed up with the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) at Maryland’s Prince George's Community College to discuss federal stimulus packages and pandemic-related consumer protections.
Best Practices
- CFPB Watch: Elders at risk of eviction, credit bureau lapses, and a big birthday
The Bureau’s newest tool helps renters (and landlords) locate local emergency rental assistance programs for help repaying up to 18 months in back rent and utilities. - Don’t leave thousands on the table this season
Consumer Action has just published an updated version of our Get Credit for Your Hard Work guide reflecting increases in income limits and credit amounts. The guide for the 2021 tax-filing season (i.e., 2020 tax returns due in April) is available to download now in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese. A Korean translation will be available by mid-January. - The enduring impact of racism on your finances
In an era of “alternative facts” and the ongoing systemic persecution of Black Americans, Consumer Action felt it critical to dedicate our Fall 2020 Consumer Action News to the impact of race on personal finances. The latest free quarterly newsletter examines the areas of individual and household finances most affected by entrenched racism—from car and student loans to mortgages and auto insurance. In each area, Consumer Action explores leading proposals for dismantling these barriers to financial inclusion.
Recommended Training Tools
- Living Life Online (FTC resource)
The nation's consumer watchdog offers great guidance for staying safe and avoiding scams online. - CTIA’s Your Wireless Service
CTIA - The Wireless Association has many solid resources to add to your wireless education efforts. - Avoid ID Theft Training Kit
The Federal Trade Commission offers a training package on ID Theft.
( View More Recommended Training Tools )
Videos & Webinars
- How Inaccurate Private Data Leads to Loss of SSI Benefits: What advocates should know
In this webinar, experts discuss how a private database used by the government to verify eligibility for SSI benefits is full of errors and can cause vulnerable beneficiaries to lose their benefits through no fault of their own. - After a Disaster: ID Theft, Scams and Insurance (Presentation)
Consumer Action's Linda Williams explains common scams and problems encountered by consumers who have been affected by a disaster. - Albert host financial technology webinars
Consumer Action and Albert co-hosted two webinars on March 29 to educate our community partners about the Albert Genius service.
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