Energy
Buyer Beware
The New York Times State-rooted consumer movements are often closer to the people and have better ideas about how to protect them.…
Oct 27, 2003Consumer Watchdog
Providing an effective voice for American consumers in an era when special interests dominate public discourse, government and politics. Non-partisan.
Articles by Consumer Watchdog
Insurance
Options eyed for high insurance costs;
Maine, California provide models for universal coverageThe Tallahassee Democrat "It's the biggest thing in health care since Medicare or Medicaid. It requires…
Oct 26, 2003
Insurance
Energy issue will test Schwarzenegger’s skills
Contra Costa Times (California) The embrace of the dispatched governor's energy policies by the new administration promises to play like "a Schwarzenegger…
Oct 26, 2003
Privacy
PROTESTERS HAVE EXEC’S NUMBER
The New York Post FTCR says it's outraged that Citigroup is backing new federal legislation that will override state privacy laws that…
Oct 25, 2003
Privacy
Congress Is Close to Eliminating a Privacy Law
The New York Times Jamie Court, president of FTCR, said that without the California law, "the door will be open to a…
Oct 25, 2003
Insurance
Declaration of Chris Micheli, Mercury Insurance Lobbyist
FTCR et al v. John Garamendi The declaration of Mercury Insurance Lobbyist, Chris Micheli, concerning the firm's interaction with the office of…
Oct 24, 2003Group Protests Citigroup’s Anti-Privacy Lobbying By Skywriting CEO’s Social Security Number
No Privacy For Americans, None For Citigroup CEO A California consumer group used a professional skywriter to release the first five digits…
Oct 24, 2003
Privacy
Yo, Mr. CEO, Get Our Point Now?
Wired Magazine (Wired.com) A privacy group hired a skywriter to write part of the Social Security number of Citigroup's chief executive above…
Oct 24, 2003
Privacy
Unions and stores disown spam attack;
Thousands of Nextel customers get text messages urging support of grocery pickets.Orange County Register (California) A consumer group, FTCR, sued the company…
Oct 24, 2003
In The News
Schwarzenegger, Davis Talk of Transition
Sacramento Trip Includes Discussions With Governor and State LawmakersWashington Post
Oct 24, 2003
Privacy
Privacy Group Plans to Skywrite Citigroup CEO’s SSN
WALL STREET JOURNAL The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which favors tighter controls on the sharing by banks of private customer…
Oct 24, 2003
Privacy
Number in the Sky
The American Banker FTCR says it bought Mr. Prince's entire number on the Web for $30. And it paid a skywriter to…
Oct 24, 2003
Privacy
Landmark California privacy law on chopping block
Copley News Service Two months after Gov. Gray Davis signed the nation's toughest financial privacy law, Congress is poised to gut a…
Oct 24, 2003
Privacy
Citigroup CEO’s SSN Written in Sky Over Manhattan
CNNFN-TV LOU DOBBS TONIGHT (6:00 PM EST) FTCR was able, however, to buy Charles Prince's Social Security number on the Internet. They…
Oct 24, 2003
Energy
Schwarzenegger preparing energy deregulation sequel
Associated Press Doug Heller of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights worries that Schwarzenegger has been swayed by Ken Lay, the…
Oct 23, 2003
Privacy
On ‘fun’ day, fast action pledged In a state Capitol visit, Schwarzenegger spells out an ambitious agenda.
Sacramento Bee Not everyone was pleased, however. Patricia Clarey's last job was V.P. for government relations at Health Net Inc., a large…
Oct 23, 2003
Insurance
Health executive to be chief of staff for Schwarzenegger
Mary Anne Ostrom and Ann E. Marimow; Mercury NewsSan Jose Mercury News (California) Some consumer advocates are worried about her HMO ties.…
Oct 23, 2003
Privacy
Clarey worked for Gov. Wilson;
Schwarzenegger selection as chief of staff is considered a straight shooter by some, but consumer advocates object.Orange County Register (California) Some consumer…
Oct 23, 2003