Blog

Groups criticize FTC Used Car Rule and other Financial Follies

Monday, December 10, 2012

Consumer Program Director

Americans for Financial Reform and other leading groups slammed a proposed new FTC Used Car Rule for failing to protect consumers and ignoring advice of advocates and state attorneys general. Meanwhile, in case you missed it, find out why an alleged financial fraudster was featured on the New York Times baseball page and read other financial follies of the week.

Consumer Protection

House to vote on rollback of privacy notice rights

Monday, December 3, 2012

By | Ed Mierzwinski

Consumer Program Director

On Tuesday, under suspension of the rules, the House may have a vote to roll back some of the privacy notices required as a condition of the 1999 repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act that allowed virtually unfettered sharing of consumer information by and between financial firms, their affiliates and third parties. Reps. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Joe Barton (R-TX) marched down the floor to demand a recorded vote.

Consumer Protection

Haunted by a shopping cart, tracking me across the web

Saturday, December 1, 2012

By | Ed Mierzwinski

Consumer Program Director

On Black Friday no less, I surfed a few of my favorite e-commerce sites. At one, I even started to fill a cart. Now, the contents of that cart track me and appear on every page I open.

Consumer Protection

FTC to hotels: Nuisance add-on fees deceptive

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

By | Ed Mierzwinski

Consumer Program Director

The FTC has warned 22 hotel chains that add-on fees, such as resort fees, may be deceptive. Meanwhile, air passenger groups are asking consumers to petition the White House to require that the Department of Transportation's FAA require full disclosure of airline fees.