|
|
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2008 - 11:04:56 AM |
Announcements
FCC Approves Transfer of Control of Direct TV to Liberty Media Subject to Conditions
Four years ago, I strenuously dissented to the Commission’s decision to allow News Corp. to acquire DirectTV. At the time, I said that the consolidation of so many media properties under News Corp.’s control could not be good for localism, diversity and competition. Nothing in the past four years has alleviated my concerns.
Feb 27, 2008 - 10:33:49 AM
Announcements
Consumer Fraud: FTC Releases List of Top Consumer Fraud Complaints in 2007
The FTC today released the list of top consumer fraud complaints received by the agency in 2007. The list, contained in the publication “Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft Complaint Data January-December 2007,” showed that for the seventh year in a row, identity theft is the number one consumer complaint category. Of 813,899 total complaints received in 2007, 258,427, or 32 percent, were related to identity theft.
Feb 13, 2008 - 9:14:58 AM
Announcements
Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has launched the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program (Coupon Program), as authorized in the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005.
Jan 2, 2008 - 10:29:07 AM
Announcements
Free Virtual Tours from the U.S. Government
Free online U.S. virtual tours
Dec 12, 2007 - 10:22:15 PM
Consumer Tools
FTC Offers Tutorial for Businesses on Protecting Personal Information
Protecting the personal information of customers, clients, and employees is good business. The Federal Trade Commission has a new online tutorial to alert businesses and other organizations to practical and low- or no-cost ways to keep data secure
Dec 4, 2007 - 7:03:22 AM
Consumer Tools
Renting a Car for the Holidays? The I.I.I. Provides Rental Car Insurance Tips
With so many people planning to visit family and friends over the holidays, there are likely to be long lines at rental car companies across the country. Properly insuring a rental car can be tricky. Unfortunately, many consumers don’t even think about car rental insurance until they get to the counter, which can result in costly mistakes, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
Nov 26, 2007 - 11:00:15 AM
Insurance Related Press Releases
Thinking About Buying an Expensive New Bicycle?
Almost 1,000,000 bicycles were stolen in the U.S in 2006, according to the FBI and most of them were never seen again. With the increasingly popularity of cycling as both a sport and a means of transportation, bicycles have become a target for thieves, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
Oct 11, 2007 - 8:27:31 AM
Consumer Tools
Holiday Shopping Countdown -Returns and Exchanges: Know the Rules Before Buying
Attention, Holiday Shoppers. It's important to learn about a retailer's return policies before buying gifts.
Dec 19, 2006 - 2:52:10 PM
Consumer Tools
Renting a Car for Thanksgiving? The I.I.I. Provides Rental Car Insurance Tips
With so many people traveling to visit family friends over Thanksgiving, there are likely to be long lines at rental car companies across the country, Properly insuring a rental car can be tricky. Unfortunately, many consumers don't even think about car rental insurance until they get to the counter, which can result in costly mistakes, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
Nov 22, 2006 - 6:53:45 AM
Consumer Tools
190,500 Target Toys Recalled due to Laceration and Lead Hazards
Some of these toys contain lead paint, which is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. Also, some of the toys have sharp points, posing laceration or puncture wound hazards.
Nov 19, 2006 - 12:06:03 AM
Consumer Tools
Residential Natural Gas Prices: What Consumers Should Know
Typically, residential natural gas consumers have some basic questions as the winter approaches: How much will natural gas cost and will enough be available this winter heating season?
Nov 18, 2006 - 2:11:02 PM
Consumer Tools
Update: California Car Buyer's Bill of Rights
A new law establishing the Car Buyer's Bill of Rights substantially impacts the purchase of new and used vehicles. This new law, which takes effect July 1, 2006, affects retail vehicle sales handled by licensed car dealers in California. This new law does not apply to transactions between private parties, motorcycles, or off-highway vehicles.
Nov 8, 2006 - 2:50:03 PM
Consumer Tools
Social Networking Online:The Buddy System for Safe Social Networking Online
The Federal Trade Commission today announced a new game that quizzes players on their online social networking practices and offers tips to help keep kids and teens safe online. The game,
Buddy Builder
, is available in
English
and
Spanish
.
Nov 1, 2006 - 6:41:22 AM
Consumer Tools
Homework Happens � Find Answers Fast
Are you a reporter covering science education in need of a new angle or a student looking for homework help or that next science fair project? Never fear, the USGS has thousands of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you out.
Aug 24, 2006 - 6:57:00 AM
Consumer Tools
Need to Reach Uncle Sam? He's Only a Toll-free Phone Call Away.
Need to find out what immunizations are required for your African safari? Or how you can start a small business? Just dial up Uncle Sam at 1 (800) FED-INFO to get help with your questions. It's the one-stop source for information about the agencies, programs, and activities of the Federal government. From purchasing surplus government property to preparing for emergency situations, 1 (800) FED-INFO can get you to the information you need.
Aug 24, 2006 - 6:41:00 AM
Consumer Tools
FTC Provides Tips for Saving Money on Cooling Costs
With the heat of summer bearing down, consumers want to keep their cool without losing their cold hard cash. The Federal Trade Commission is offering tips to consumers on keeping their energy costs lower in
Cooling Your Home: Don�t Sweat It
.
Aug 2, 2006 - 7:40:00 AM
Consumer Tools
Understanding Wireless Telephone Coverage Areas
Wireless telephones work by communicating via radio waves using a system of base stations (sometimes known as cell sites) that send and receive calls and relay them to other networks, like the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
Jul 20, 2006 - 8:57:00 AM
Consumer Tools
Update: Internet Auctions A Guide for Buyers and Sellers
Internet auction sites give buyers a virtual flea market with new and used merchandise from around the world; they give sellers a global storefront from which to market their goods. But the online auction business can be risky business. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants to help buyers and sellers stay safe on Internet auction websites. Among the thousands of consumer fraud complaints the FTC receives every year, those dealing with online auction fraud consistently rank near the top of the list. The complaints generally deal with late shipments, no shipments, or shipments of products that aren�t the same quality as advertised; bogus online payment or escrow services; and fraudulent dealers who lure bidders from legitimate auction sites with seemingly better deals. Most complaints involve sellers, but in some cases, the buyers are the subject.
Jun 26, 2006 - 4:43:00 AM
Consumer Tools
Current Gasoline Market Conditions - Hurricanes and Gasoline Prices
Last week, EIA released its latest forecast for the national average retail gasoline price for this summer's driving season (which EIA defines as April through September). That forecast is for an average price of $2.76 per gallon over the six-month season, which is up 5 from the summer forecast that EIA issued in May.
Jun 16, 2006 - 7:44:00 AM
Consumer Tools
Scambuster Kit's for California Seniors
California�s senior citizens have worked throughout their lives to help make our state prosperous while saving up a �nest egg� so they can enjoy their retirement years. It�s unfortunate that scammers and thieves may target seniors, tempt them with bogus offers, or try to steal their hard-earned savings.
May 9, 2006 - 4:32:00 PM
Consumer Tools
Have a consumer question or problem? Get Your Free Copy of the 2006 Consumer Action Handbook Today!
Have a consumer question or problem?
You've come to the right place for help. All of the information available in the Consumer Action Handbook is available right here online. Just use the left hand navigation bar to browse through the site.
Mar 30, 2006 - 6:26:00 AM
Consumer Tools
Mediation Week Features Program That Returned Nearly $2 Million to Consumers Last Year
Consumers help drive a California economy that ranks as the world's sixth largest. But what can a consumer do if a good deal goes bad? For thousands of California consumers, the answer is the Department of Consumer Affairs Complaint Mediation Program or similar programs statewide.
Mar 19, 2006 - 6:52:00 AM
Consumer Tools
How can I get rid of SPAM mail?
If you have an email address, you've likely been spammed with unsolicited commercial messages. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to get rid of this electronic junk mail, but there are steps you can take to reduce the amount of unwanted spam and precautions to take to avoid falling victim to bogus offers slipping into your in-box.
Oct 16, 2006 - 5:39:00 PM
Consumer Tools
Fact Sheet: Wedding Dress Labeling Requirements
If you manufacture, import or sell wedding dresses, you must ensure that consumers have certain garment information. The Textile Act, its regulations and the FTC's Care Labeling Rule require that labels be attached to imported and domestic textile products such as wedding gowns. These rules apply to sample gowns, as well as to gowns that are for sale.Wedding dress labels must contain four pieces of information.
Aug 5, 2006 - 12:13:00 PM
Consumer Tools
FTC Debuts Enhanced Web Site Dedicated to Oil and Gasoline-Related Issues
The Federal Trade Commission today launched an enhanced oil and gas Web site designed to provide consumers with clear information on the issues surrounding the price of gasoline and what they can do to get the most out of every gallon they buy.
May 4, 2006 - 10:17:00 AM
