Welcome to Consumers’ Notebook, where we feature news-you-can-use and other timely information to help you become a more informed consumer. Check back often to read the latest pieces in our Notebook.
Banks Often Refuse to Help Victims of Zelle Scams
Use a payment platform provided by your bank or credit union, and you probably assume your financial institution will be there to help if there’s a problem. Don’t count on it. Customers tricked into sending money to scammers via Zelle are learning that lesson the hard way.
Good News for Consumers: Credit Bureaus Agree to Change How They Report Medical Debt
Tens of millions of Americans have seen their creditworthiness plummet in recent years due to unpaid medical bills. Recently, the three major credit bureaus agreed to significantly change how they treat this debt.
Data Breaches Soar to New Record in 2021, Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Cyber criminals compromised 1,862 databases in the U.S. last year, according to the annual data breach report from the non-profit Identity Theft Resource Center. That’s a 68 percent jump from 2020, and a 23 percent increase from the previous record of 1,506, set in 2017.
Headlight Ratings Encourage Automakers to Improve Safety; These 2021 Models Scored Best
To encourage automakers to improve inferior headlights, in 2016 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety began rating vehicles for this important safety issue. Here are the 2021 models that scored best.
New Report Warns of Bad Actors in the Interstate Moving Industry
During a move, you’re trusting a company to get your possessions from here to there on time, without damage, and at the agreed upon price. All too often that doesn’t happen, especially for long-distance interstate relocations.
Is This a Good Time to Buy a New or Used Car?
People are buying cars again. To regain lost business, car manufacturers and dealers are promoting steep discounts and special financing.
My Gym Is Closed and Still Billing Me. Can It Do That?
What happens when your gym is forced to close because of a pandemic? Should you get a refund for the time you were locked out? And what can you do if the company wants to keep your money and credit your membership account, instead of processing a refund?...
Update: Advice from a Patient Advocate for Families with Vulnerable Loved Ones
During the coronavirus pandemic, patient advocates can offer vital assistance to the families of those who are hospitalized or locked down in senior communities.
Air Passenger Rights During Coronavirus Crisis
An airline must give you a refund if it cancels your flight. Many carriers finally are granting more flexibility for flyers who wish to change their travel plans due to the coronavirus crisis.
New Proposed Rule Would Require Airlines to Disclose the ‘True Cost’ of Tickets, Including Fees
The U.S. Department of Transportation is considering a rule that would make it easier for consumers to see the true cost of flying—airfare, plus any fees—when booking trips. The rule would help provide customers with the information they need to choose the best deals.
Robocalls on the Rise: How You Can Fight Back
For years, we’ve been promised that new technology would solve the robocall problem. But phones keep ringing.
Fraud Alert: Criminals Pitch Bogus Cryptocurrency Investments
A gold-rush mentality created by the cryptocurrency craze has people sending money to companies that promise huge returns in days or weeks without first checking them out. Often, they’re scams—cyber criminals are increasingly luring victims who hope to get rich quick.
How to Save Money at the Pump and Boost Your Car’s Gas Mileage
Unless you can park your car and drive less, there are three ways to deal with soaring gasoline prices: Hunt for the lowest price; chose the best way to pay; and then squeeze the most miles out of every gallon you buy.
Social Media Scams Are Skyrocketing. Here’s How to Protect Yourself.
Social media websites and apps are increasingly magnets for crooks looking for victims. About one quarter of all fraud losses reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last year resulted from scams that started with social media ads, posts, or messages.
Credit Score Myths vs. Reality: Don’t Let These Common Misconceptions Hold You Back
Although good credit is important for so many reasons, many people don’t understand how the system works and instead make decisions based on misinformation. Checkbook asked Liz Weston, a personal finance columnist and author, to separate myths from facts.
Court Approves Equifax Breach Settlement: Money for Some, Free Credit Monitoring for All
Equifax will pay up to $425 million in restitution to those directly impacted by the massive data breach of the credit bureau in 2017. Settlement notices are now being sent to those who previously filed claims for monetary compensation or free credit monitoring.
New Government Report: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion Rarely Act on Complaints About Credit File Errors
If you spot a mistake on your credit report and contact the credit bureau, there’s a good chance nothing will happen. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion together provided relief when alerted to errors less than two percent of the time last year, according to a new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Automakers Rev Up Subscription Services
When you buy or lease your next car, you might be required to pay a monthly or yearly subscription fee to activate some of its features.
New Federal Rules Spell Out What Debt Collectors Can and Cannot Do
New debt collection regulations took effect at the end of November. The new rules focus on communications and disclosures from debt collectors, including what a collector can say, how often they can contact the consumer, what information must be provided, and what qualifies as harassment.
Marriott Settles Lawsuit and Agrees to Include ‘Resort Fees’ in Advertised Room Rates
In a major victory for travelers, last week Marriott International settled a consumer protection lawsuit brought by the Pennsylvania attorney general and agreed to begin disclosing upfront any mandatory fees, including resort fees.