Consumer Protection
PROTECTING CONSUMER SAFETY—Toys should not be toxic or dangerous for children to play with. Our food should not make us sick. The terms for banking and credit accounts should be clear and easy to understand.
LOOKING OUT FOR CONSUMERS
U.S. PIRG’s consumer program works to alert the public to hidden dangers and scams and to ban anti-consumer practices and unsafe products.
TROUBLE IN TOYLAND
For 30 years, U.S. PIRG’s "Trouble In Toyland" report has surveyed store shelves and identified choking hazards, noise hazards and other dangers. Our report has led to at least 150 recalls and other regulatory actions over the years.
Get our tips for avoiding dangerous toys.
BIGGER BANKS, BIGGER FEES
In April, U.S. PIRG released a report in which we surveyed more than 350 bank branches and revealed that fewer than half of branches obeyed their legal duty to fully disclose fees to prospective customers, while one in four provided no fee information at all. We also found that despite widespread stories about the “death” of free checking, free and low-cost checking choices are still widely available, if consumers shop around.
Find out how to beat high bank fees.
SEE ALL CONSUMER RESOURCES
Issue updates
U.S. PIRG submitted a public comment letter supporting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed climate disclosures rule and made recommendations to strengthen it.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unveiled two proposals Wednesday designed to improve the accuracy and transparency of the composition and marketing of mutual funds that sellers claim are responsible when it comes to environmental, social and governance issues.
Consumer Protection
GM heeds consumer groups' advocacy, commits to not sell used cars with safety issues
We commend General Motors for its new commitment not to sell used vehicles with unrepaired safety recall defects on its soon-to-be-launched used car platform, CarBravo.
Consumer Protection
Farmers want to fix their stuff. Tractor dealer consolidation is getting in the way.
John Deere, which controls 53% of the country’s large tractor market, has consolidated a huge percentage of its dealership locations into large chains — leading to costly repair bills for farmers and delays that can put their crops at risk.
Consumer Protection
Recalls of dangerous products are often too little, too late
America's product recall system is so broken that a product linked to a 2011 death was just recalled this past year. It's a problem our research partners at U.S. PIRG Education Fund grapple with in a recent report, which examines the relationship between these recalls and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Consumer Protection
Not First Class
Our report highlights how flier complaints have soared as airlines cancel flights, deny refunds, and ruin plans. Find out which airlines have the most complaints and what you can do.
Latest Reports
Tools & Resources
-
No Write-Offs for Consumer Ripoffs
Corporations Able to Secure Tax Deductions for Mortgage Violations, Price-Fixing and Other Misconduct, But Two Bipartisan Bills Would AddressU.S. PIRG -
Consumer Brief Supporting NY Attorney General In Alzheimer's Drug Case
Actavis Seeks To Use Illegal "Product-Hopping" Scheme To Raise Rx Prices -
Letter from consumer groups to Experian & T-Mobile Re Data Breach
Demanding Firms Give Consumers Free Credit Freeze Protection -
Leading Groups Send Criteria for Evaluating VW Settlement
Seeking Compensation for Consumers and Environment -
Big Data and Fintech Resource: Powerpoint by Jeff Chester
Center for Digital Democracy -
U.S. PIRG Joins Legal Brief Defending CFPB Constitutionality
Case to be heard May 24th in DC Circuit, US Court of Appeals -
Medical Debt Malpractice
2-page Fact Sheet based on report -
Medical Debt Malpractice
2-page Fact Sheet based on report -
Letter Opposing HR 10, The Wrong Choice Act
Submitted to all Representatives on Day of House Floor Vote -
Fact Sheet: Older Consumers in the Financial Marketplace
An Analysis of Complaints, and Results, From the CFPB -
Our Amicus Brief Supporting the states of Ohio et al v. American Express
Before the Supreme Court of the US -
FinTech and Consumers
A draft report on the FinTech Universe -
Public Interest Privacy Principles
Endorsed by 34 Leading Groups -
Group letter opposing Nancy Beck to head CPSC
Former chemical industry official would be fox guarding henhouse -
Letter In Support of Credit Bureau Reform, HR5332
Protecting Your Credit Score Act -
Memo To Transition Team on Privacy and Digital Rights
A Blueprint for the Next Administration -
Amicus Brief of U.S. PIRG Ed Fund and NCLC
In re: Google Inc. Street View Electronic Communications Litigation -
Letter To FTC on Ending Amazon Prime Membership
Coalition Urges FTC To Investigate After Norwegian Report -
Letter To Congress Opposing Big Tech Nominees
BigTech Lobbyists Unacceptable for Antitrust Jobs -
Group Letter Urging Virginia Governor To Veto Privacy Bill
Supported By Industry Because It Doesn't Protect Privacy -
Letter to Congress from 325 groups urging repeal of OCC's "True Lender" Rule
"Fake" lender rule would facilitate predatory payday lending -
U.S. PIRG Supports Confirmation of Professor Lina Khan to FTC
Letter Supporting President Biden's Nominee -
Memorandum in Support of Motion for Summary Judgement
We sued the Trump-era CFPB over its illegal Taskforce on Federal Consumer Financial Law -
Settlement Agreement is a Victory in CFPB Lawsuit
Re Trump CFPB's Illegal TaskForce on Consumer Law -
Memorandum in Support of Motion for Summary Judgement
In Our Lawsuit Against Trump CFPB Over Illegal TaskForce -
Comment to CFPB on Big Tech Payment Platforms
Filed by U.S. PIRG and Center for Digital Democracy -
Coalition Urges Feds To Stop Rent-A-Bank Predatory Lending
Banks Should Not Scheme To Let Predators Avoid State Laws -
Fintech/BNPL Letter to CFPB Director
From 89 groups including PIRGs, 21 December 2021 -
Comment to CFPB in Buy Now, Pay Later Inquiry
By U.S. PIRG and Center for Digital Democracy -
Joint Consumer Group and Bank Trades Letter To Congress
On HR5912, To Close the Industrial Bank Loophole
Support Us
Your donation supports U.S. PIRG’s work to stand up for consumers on the issues that matter, especially when powerful interests are blocking progress.