For a long time, consumers (and groups like the Consumer Federation of America) have been raising alarms about insurance company practices that disproportionately harm Black and Brown drivers around the country. Consumers have a right to be treated without bias or unfair discrimination in every market. Still, the need is particularly acute for auto insurance, … Continued
Airlines are the epitome of the “junk fees” practices that draw the ire of consumers nationwide, prompting a comprehensive federal regulatory response. Many amenities and services that used to be standard during a flight now cost a fee, and they add up quickly. In 2021, airlines earned nearly $5.3 billion in baggage fees and $7 … Continued
Overview: Financial Services Conference Overview: 50th Anniversary Awards Celebration Junk Fee Blog Series Part 3: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Takes on Junk Fees Overview: Financial Services Conference On December 7, CFA hosted its 35th Annual Financial Services Conference. This year’s agenda offered a variety of facilitated panel discussions about timely financial issues impacting consumers, … Continued
Fees are prolific across financial products and services. Whether it is credit card late fees, overdraft and nonsufficient fund (NSF) fees, or mortgage servicing fees, junk fees have become far too commonplace in our financial marketplace. Junk fees can inflate the price of banking and credit products, obscure the true cost of these products making … Continued
The Military Lending Act was viewed as groundbreaking after its passage in 2006 and to this day, exists as one of the strongest consumer protection laws on the books. The law was passed after a Department of Defense report found that active duty servicemembers were targeted by predatory lenders, which undermined both their military readiness … Continued
CPSC Unanimously Finalizes Two Lifesaving Window Covering Rules Consumer Groups Obtain Commitment to Issue Rulemakings on Mandatory Alcohol Labeling Let’s Curtail Surveillance Advertising CFA Urges SEC Chair to Prioritize Restoring Health of Public Securities Markets Junk Fee Blog Series Part 2: The Federal Trade Commission’s Attack on Junk Fees CPSC Unanimously Finalizes Two Lifesaving Window … Continued
On November 21, 2022, Consumer Federation of America and Consumer Action submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in response to its Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Commercial Surveillance and Data Security. Consumer Action, a CFA member, has been a champion of underrepresented consumers since 1971. CFA also joined other groups in comments submitted by Fairplay that … Continued
Junk fees are everywhere. Auto dealers charge consumers thousands of dollars for add-on products that have little or no value. Hotels charged consumers over $2 billion in “resort fees” in 2015 alone. Rental car companies can tack on numerous separate fees, in addition to the actual rental cost, and often do so after the car … Continued
The market for cryptocurrencies and crypto-related assets has experienced explosive growth in recent years. While investor interest in these assets seems to increase as the prices of crypto assets grow and shrink as the prices of crypto assets fall, the interest isn’t likely to be going away anytime soon. Accordingly, financial professionals are increasingly being … Continued
Corporations wield immense power in the marketplace and over consumers, but too often this power remains hidden, allowing them to get away with bad behavior. Last week consumers got a glimpse of this hidden power. Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that two insurance companies tried to stop his investigation of potential race discrimination … Continued
Have you ever shopped for a concert ticket and discovered that the $50 ticket turned into $75 at check out? Have you ever faced unexpected, hefty fees when booking a hotel room, renting a car, or buying a plane ticket? These surprise fees appear in almost every consumer-facing industry, from credit reporting and banking services … Continued
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was born out of a lesson learned the hard way. A lack of regulatory safeguards led to the 2008 financial crisis, which left 21 million Americans without work and more than nine million families without homes due to foreclosure or short sales. In the aftermath of the financial crisis, … Continued
Overview: CFA’s 45th National Food Policy Conference The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) held its 45th National Food Policy Conference on October 12, exploring timely issues impacting consumers, the food industry, and government. For 45 years, the National Food Policy Conference has been a key national gathering for those interested in food, agriculture, and nutrition … Continued
Three weeks after Hurricane Ian made landfall, and consumers are still recovering from the damage and working on their insurance claims. One firm estimated that privately insured losses from the storm are expected to reach $67 billion, making it one of the most expensive disasters in American history. Below we share essential consumer tips for … Continued
Auto insurance companies like to present themselves as consumers’ friends. The mascots used in commercials, ranging from GEICO’s gecko and Aflac’s duck to Progressive’s Flo, are intended to put you at ease and get you to lower your guard. But Progressive’s recent second quarter earnings report offers a rare look at how it really views … Continued
Today, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is giving a big shout-out for Energy Efficiency Day calling on Americans to be proactive by taking positive steps to be more energy efficient. Consider joining CFA and the hundreds of other organizations, cities, businesses, and individuals in the nationwide effort to become more energy independent, improve the … Continued
CFA’s Financial Services Manager Testifies to Senate Banking Committee On September 13, Rachel Gittleman, CFA’s Financial Services Outreach Manager presented testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on New Consumer Financial Products and The Impact to Workers. In her testimony, Gittleman urged the Committee to meaningfully address the potential risks … Continued
Over the past few years America’s largest insurance companies have stressed their commitment to racial justice, diversity, and inclusion. The industry has over $5.8 trillion in assets and often makes long-term investments in important sectors of the economy. However, numerous consumer advocates have pointed out that insurance has a long history of unfair discrimination, bias, … Continued
No serious observer of today’s economy doubts that it is harder and harder for everyday folks to buy a home. This is especially true for first-time homebuyers across the country, in exurbs, Sunbelt suburbs, and neighborhoods in cities large and small. This escalating unaffordability affects the long-term opportunities of virtually everyone who doesn’t own a … Continued
Pandemic Related Issues Continue to Impact 2021’s Top Ten Consumer Complaints, Auto Sales and Repairs Rank No. 1 for Sixth Year in a Row Earlier this month CFA released its annual Top Ten Consumer Complaints Survey Report, with auto sales and repairs ranking number one in the category of complaints made to local and state … Continued
For the first time in over a decade, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a rule directly addressing deceptive financing practices by auto dealers. The proposal contains a host of prohibited misrepresentations, required disclosures, and specific requirements pertaining to the sale of add-ons. The FTC explains at length the problems that consumers face when … Continued
For the first time in over a decade, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a rule directly addressing deceptive financing practices by auto dealers. The proposal contains a host of prohibited misrepresentations, required disclosures, and specific requirements pertaining to the sale of add-ons. The FTC explains at length the problems that consumers face when … Continued
For the first time in over a decade, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a rule directly addressing deceptive financing practices by auto dealers. The proposal contains a host of prohibited misrepresentations, required disclosures, and specific requirements pertaining to the sale of add-ons. The FTC explains at length the problems that consumers face when … Continued
In recent months, insurance companies have been increasing rates for consumers across the country, claiming that current circumstances give them no choice. But in Washington State, insurance regulators are trying to shed some light on these price hikes by issuing a rule requiring insurance companies to give people transparent information about their premiums and the … Continued
Congress Must Act to Strengthen Airline Consumer Protection Regulations The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) joined a coalition of consumer and passengers’ rights groups urging Congress to expand and strengthen airline consumer protection regulations in the upcoming 2023 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization process. The airline industry received over $50 billion of relief during the COVID-19 … Continued