A federal jury recently handed down the largest award ever given to an individual consumer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act in a suit against Equifax, an awakening verdict for companies that trade on consumer data, which are now more likely to face similar suits. The award consisted of $180,000 in actual damages and $18.4…
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has approached the Federal Trade Commission to go after the mobile app industry’s false advertising of learning apps for babies. In particular, they are going after industry claims that dupe parents into thinking the apps are “educational” or “teach” rather than just entertaining. The Campaign is focusing on Fisher-Price’s…
There are 4 new apps on the market to help with car buying: Cars.com, Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book, and TrueCar.com. We still think Consumer Reports magazine (online, too) is THE information source for deciding on the type of vehicle to buy AND, using their pricing service, provides the best info to get the best prices. …
Honda Motors will expand a recall of its Honda Fit hatchback to include another 48,000 vehicles due to an issue with the stability control software. The original recall took place in April after it was discovered the car’s software may allow its body to “roll too much before intervening, possibly causing the driver to lose…
Getting annoying calls, texts from car dealers or others? The Hanson Law Firm can help. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) restricts marketing calls and text messages to cellphones and residential landlines by generally prohibiting communication using automated systems, artificial callers, or prerecorded voices unless the consumer gives “prior express consent.” The TCPA also specifies…
Huge win for consumers today. After being blocked for two years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), has the Captain aboard ship! The CFPB, by the way, was established by the 2010 law that overhauled federal financial regulatory powers following the Great Recession and was meant to be a flagship protection against further consumer abuse. …
This morning, a huge billboard adjacent to one of the largest Toyota dealerships in the country, located on a busy street in San Diego, went up with this image: http://www.usedcarnightmare.org/ Views of the YouTube video, embedded in this website, have taken off, and it’s now received over 525,000 views, and the numbers are rapidly rising….
TOP TWELVE TIPS FOR BUYING A USED CAR Save thousands of dollars Get a better, safer car Avoid common auto dealer scams 1. Either save your money and pay cash or Join a local credit union and establish credit with them. It usually costs only about $25 to join. Ask them to help you improve…
Just when you thought car buying couldn’t get any more fraught with peril — Auto dealers succeeded in stalling popular, common-sense auto safety legislation pending in California that would have prohibited them from renting, selling, leasing, or loaning unsafe, recalled used cars at retail to consumers. They complained that it is impossible for them to…
