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
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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
The FDA investigation reinforces that our food isn't nearly as safe as it should be. This time, more than 60 people got sick from salads, probably because a company failed to sanitize the water used to grow its romaine lettuce.
The amount of money Americans owe on their cars is now at an all-time high -- up 75 percent since the end of 2009. Americans’ rising indebtedness for cars raises concerns about the financial future of millions of households as lenders extend credit to more and more Americans without the ability to repay, according to a new U.S. PIRG report.
In much of America, access to a car is all but required to hold a job or lead a full and vibrant life. Generations of car-centric transportation policies – including lavish spending on roads, sprawl-inducing land use policies, and meager support for other modes of transportation – have left millions of Americans fully dependent on cars for daily living.
Unsafe food recalls in the U.S. are trending the wrong way. From 2013 to 2017, they rose 10 percent overall, and a whopping 83 percent for the most hazardous meat and poultry recalls.
Here is our statement about Wells Fargo’s system failures that started yesterday.
Consumer Protection
Congressional investigation concludes that Equifax breach was entirely preventable
The worst data breach in history could have been prevented with some basic security measures.
Consumer Protection
Watch out for unsafe toys
U.S. PIRG's “Trouble in Toyland” report found boron in slime, choking hazards without the proper warning labels, “connected” toys that pose a privacy risk and more.
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
Our Affiliates
Featured Position
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.