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.
Fraud Alert: IRS Refund Letter is Bogus
While the IRS does contact taxpayers by mail, it never sends letters about refunds. Keeping an eye out for these red flags will help you protect yourself.
Stay Safe in the Sun: Top-Rated Sunscreens, and How to Use Them Properly
The Skin Cancer Foundation says a good sunscreen, used properly, can dramatically reduce your skin cancer risk, and lower your chances of getting melanoma by 50 percent.
Publishers Clearinghouse Settles FTC Lawsuit About Its Popular Sweepstakes
Publishers Clearing House will change its online business practices and refund $18.5 million dollars to customers who “spent money and wasted their time” entering the company’s sweepstakes.
Seven Top Strategies for Being a Smart Consumer
We asked our editors and consumer-expert friends to tell us the most important ways to save money and avoid trouble. Here are their top seven strategies:...
Travel Trouble: Don’t Let Passport Problems Wreck Your Trip
If you’re planning a trip outside the U.S. this summer and don’t already have a valid passport—or have one that will expire soon—you may have a problem. The current passport processing time is 10 to 13 weeks.
FTC Accuses Amazon of Tricking Millions into Joining Prime
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued Amazon on Wednesday, accusing the company of enrolling customers into its Prime program without their consent—and then making it difficult for them to cancel.
Fraud Alert: Ticket Scams Are Skyrocketing
If you’re determined to get tickets to a sold-out concert or sporting event, you might jump at any offer that comes along. Scammers are counting on that desperation to steal your money.
Amazon and Microsoft Charged with Violating Children's Privacy Law
The federal government is putting tech companies on notice that it plans to go after them if they violate federal rules protecting children’s privacy.
Americans Are Keeping Their Cars Longer Than Ever
Unable to get decent deals on new vehicles, or find used ones they can afford, millions of motorists are keeping their cars longer.
New FCC Rule Requires Phone Companies to Block Some Robotexts
After years of focusing on illegal robocalls, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is trying to stop the flood of spam robotexts.
Why Car Prices—Both New and Used—Keep Going Up
With inventory abnormally low, prices historically high, and interest rates continuing to go up, it’s become harder for many Americans to afford a new set of wheels.
FTC Sues Company for ‘Unfairly Thwarting’ Consumers Trying to Reverse Disputed Credit Card Charges
Federal regulators say the company helped scammers stay in business and defeat chargeback attempts by victims hit with fraudulent charges.
IRS Makes Significant Inflation Adjustments for Tax Year 2023
With the 2022 federal tax filing season behind us, it’s time to look at the major changes that will impact next year’s returns. We describe the key provisions that will affect most taxpayers.
Check Washing Makes a Comeback; Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Check washing has been around for decades, but it’s made a comeback in the last few years, with victims reporting losses ranging from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars.
FTC Warns Eye Doctors to Provide Prescriptions for Free, as Required by Law
In late February, the FTC sent cease and desist letters to 24 eye care prescribers warning them that, based on customer complaints, they appear to have violated the Contact Lens Rule, and in some cases, the Eyeglass Rule.
Supermarkets’ Digital Offers Leave Tech-Challenged Seniors Without Valuable Discounts
At a time when consumers are especially focused on saving money at the supermarket, some shoppers—those who are tech-challenged or digitally disconnected—are unable to access “digital only” sale prices advertised in weekly store circulars.
Should You Give Up Your Privacy to Save on Auto Insurance?
Many auto insurers offer to reduce customers’ premiums by as much as 30 or 40 percent if they agree to allow companies to monitor how, when, and where they drive, with little oversight on how they can use the data.
Federal Regulators Cracking Down on Hidden Fees
Many companies use hidden fees to obtain bigger payments from customers without having to increase their advertised prices. These bait-and-switch schemes cost consumers “tens of billions of dollars each year,” make comparison shopping difficult, and “leave consumers feeling powerless and cheated,” according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
FTC Charges GoodRx with Illegally Disclosing Customers’ Health Information
Millions of Americans have saved money on their prescription drugs by using coupons from GoodRx. But at what cost? Federal regulators have accused the discount drug and telehealth provider with violating federal law by “failing to notify consumers” about its “unauthorized disclosure” of their health information to other companies.
Report: Data Breach Notices Lack Key Details, Enable Identity Theft ‘Scamdemic’
There’s a good chance you received a data breach notice last year—possibly more than one. Unfortunately, last year only 34 percent of breach notices included details about what was obtained from attacks, the lowest number in five years.