ConsumerWatchdog

Consumer Watchdog launched a billboard publicizing a new toll-free hotline, 1-844-DOCS-DUI, calling on the public and physicians to report suspected drug and alcohol abuse by doctors. "The California Medical Board has estimated that 18% of doctors will have a drug or alcohol problem during their careers, yet California has no system to identify doctors who abuse substances. This hotline will give the public a place to report concerns about impaired doctors to protect patients and save lives," said Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog.

"The California Medical Board has estimated that 18% of doctors will have a drug or alcohol problem during their careers, yet California has no system to identify doctors who abuse substances. This hotline will give the public a place to report concerns about impaired doctors to protect patients and save lives," said Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog. A review of six years of the California Medical Board's physician disciplinary records reveals that one in every eight involved drug or alcohol abuse by a doctor.

Department store Neiman Marcus confirmed that its database of customer information was hacked last month. The data breach occurred around mid-December, the same time as the Target attack. John M. Simpson of Consumer Watchdog speculates on the delay of announcement.

Target's massive credit card breach reported last month may be worse than previously thought. From November 27 to December 15 one of the most high-profile attacks in recent years,  the attack affected as many as 70 million individuals, as many as 40 million credit and debit cards were reported stolen last month. Consumer Watchdog's John Simpson appears on CNN International to discuss the next steps.

Chase Bank notified customers who used its debit cards at Target stores during the retailer's recent security breach that it was limiting the use of its cards during the busy holiday shopping season.  The new limit affects roughly 2 million accounts, or about 10 percent of Chase debit-card holders. The limits will remain in place temporarily while Chase issues new debit cards to its customers who shopped at a Target store during the timeframe.

Target says anyone who made purchases by swiping cards at terminals in its U.S. stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15 may have had their accounts exposed. The stolen data includes customer names, credit and debit card numbers, card expiration dates and the three-digit security codes located on the backs of cards. The stolen information included Target store brand cards and major card brands such as Visa and MasterCard. The data breach did not affect online purchases.  John M. Simpson of Consumer Watchdog explains.

A Los Angeles judge has sided with Consumer Watchdog and ordered the DTSC to halt approval of Boeing's illegal demolition and disposal of radioactive waste from the Santa Susana site.

Jamie Court discusses extensions and changes to the Affordable Care Act. President Obama announced Thursday the decision to grant a one-year reprieve on those health-care policies that would have otherwise been canceled under Obamacare. Reports estimate 4 to 5 million cancellation notices have been issued nationwide to date — over a million expected in California alone. Policyholders could now have the option to keep their current plan while shopping for new plans under the healthcare.gov website.