Consumer Protections on Wall Street
You should be able to save, invest and generally manage your money without fear of being trapped, tricked or ripped off by the institutions you are trusting with your financial future.
It's not just about any one individual being protected in the financial marketplace. The fact is, without clear rules and accountability, financial markets don’t work the way they should. Hundreds of thousands of people can get ripped off, unhealthy risk-taking by big banks can become the norm, and the stability of the whole market can be put in jeopardy. And the 2008 economic collapse made it clear just how big of an impact those conditions can have on our lives, and financial security.
That’s why U.S. PIRG is working toward a system that provides basic fairness to all financial consumers, offers a more level playing field for all financial players, holds any institution that breaks the law accountable, and ensures strong protections for the most vulnerable consumers.
Our Priorities
Defend the Consumer BureauThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is our watchdog on Wall Street, but now some in Washington are trying to weaken or eliminate the Consumer Bureau. Stand with us and make sure we keep our consumer cop on the financial beat. |
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Keep Retirement Advisors in CheckRight now, retirement advisers can push their clients toward investments with higher fees or lower returns, just because the adviser might get a bigger payout from it. We’re working to require retirement advisers to act in their clients’ best interests. |
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Stop Predatory Payday LendingSky-high interest rates and fees on payday loans can send borrowers into a debt trap. It's time to bring an end to the payday loan industry's unfair and abusive practices, and stop the debt trap once and for all. |
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Protecting Student BorrowersIt's hard enough for many borrowers to simply pay off their student loans — they shouldn't also have to worry about their loan servicer making it more difficult and expensive for them to do that. We're working to hold those lenders accountable. |
Issue updates
We can't let this chance to restore vital consumer protections slip through our fingers.
After 20 deaths and numerous cases of blindness and other injuries and illnesses last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in February for all alcohol-based hand sanitizers imported from Mexico.
You have six weeks to file your income tax return for 2020. Every year, it seems there are more issues to watch out for.
Some of your friends or relatives have received two COVID-19 relief/ stimulus payments in the past year. And a third may be on the way soon. If you haven’t received anything yet and believe you should have, don’t fret.
One in 20 people was a victim in 2019. Account takeovers, which involve a criminal gaining access to an existing account, soared by 72 percent in 2019.
Consumer Protection
FDA takes delayed action on toxic hand sanitizers
After 20 deaths and numerous cases of blindness and other injuries and illnesses last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning for all alcohol-based hand sanitizers imported from Mexico.
Consumer Protection
A look ahead at U.S. PIRG's 2021 federal priorities
As a year that challenged our nation like no other came to a close, U.S. PIRG geared up for the work ahead. Our 2021 federal priorities include our ongoing response to the COVID-19 crisis; watchdogging the implementation of new protections against surprise medical billing; working to win federal policies to stop price gouging of essential medical supplies; and more.
Consumer Protection
General Motors recalls 7 million vehicles with exploding Takata airbags
The automaker announced it will recall 7 million large pickup trucks and SUVs built with potentially explosive Takata airbags, which have forced the recall of tens of millions of vehicles in the last 12 years and killed 18 people.
Consumer Protection
California persists with new protections in face of fires, COVID-19
Included in the windfall of CALPIRG-supported legislative victories this year are a law creating a California consumer watchdog, a first-in-the-nation ban on 12 toxic chemicals in personal care products sold in California, and a law prohibiting flavored tobacco products in the state, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed hours after it passed the Legislature.
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 -
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
DEFEND THE CFPB
Tell your representative to oppose the “Financial CHOICE Act,” which would gut Wall Street reforms and destroy the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as we know it.
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.