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
Representing the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA), U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and consumer law expert Professor Kathleen Engel, Democracy Forward sued the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Director Kathy Kraninger Tuesday for unlawfully creating and operating the Taskforce on Federal Consumer Financial Law in violation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will hold a confirmation hearing Tuesday on the president’s nomination of Nancy Beck to head the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If confirmed, Beck would have a 7-year term, although a new president could select a different chair. U.S. PIRG and its state affiliates formally oppose the nomination.
Johnson & Johnson will end the sale of talc-based baby powders--which can be contaminated with asbestos--in the United States and Canada. That’s a big win for consumers, but it’s not enough.
As the House considers the next coronavirus funding bill, the Heroes Act, an analysis by U.S. PIRG of recent complaints to the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) shows an alarming need for Congressional action to protect consumers from the pandemic’s repercussions.
Consumer Reports, U.S. PIRG and a consumer-turned-activist delivered nearly 250,000 petition signatures today to the airlines calling on them to provide full refunds when passengers cancel their flights because of concerns about the coronavirus.
Consumer Protection
PIRG joins litigation challenging the CFPB's Taskforce on Federal Consumer Financial Law
Created to "harmonize and modernize federal consumer financial laws," the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's task force has failed to provide adequate transparency, and is comprised of industry-aligned members to the exclusion of consumer advocates.
Consumer Protection
Record volume of CFPB complaints encapsulates why Americans need greater financial protection
A U.S. PIRG report finds that complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reached record numbers in April. Credit reporting complaints, which historically top the list, increased by more than 20,000.
Consumer Protection
Rich Cordray offers expert consumer tips with U.S. PIRG advocates via Zoom
During an online panel organized by U.S. PIRG, former CFPB Director Rich Cordray warned that this difficult time will likely last longer than most believe, and that consumers need protections such as mortgage relief and a halt on evictions for nonpayment of rent in order to weather it.
Consumer Protection
Suppliers are gouging health care providers. 100-plus mayors are calling for federal action.
More than 100 mayors and county executives joined U.S. PIRG in sending a letter to the Trump administration urging the federal government to invoke the Defense Production Act to increase production of critical medical supplies, and to establish a system to distribute those supplies to front line workers.
Latest Reports
Tools & Resources
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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
Featured Position
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