Privacy

Most identity theft is low-tech;

June 26, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Mailbox thefts, trash-bin diving and observed ID numbers are threats.</h3><p class="source">Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)</p> <p>Experts say it's important to remember that the relatively high-tech CardSystems scandal is just one manifestation of the problem. While there's little consumers can do about online breaches, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from low-tech threats.</p>

Finding information about Junk Fax companies

June 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>There are numerous ways to search for info about junk fax companies on the internet. For example, if you have the company name, you can search on the California Secretary of State's website (if a it's corporation).</p>

Filing a Complaint With the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

June 22, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the federal regulatory agency responsible for overseeing junk faxers under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Follow these steps and learn how to file a complaint against your junk faxer.</p>

How to Use a Federal Law to Make Junk Faxers Pay You*

June 21, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>A federal law makes it illegal to send an unsolicited commercial advertisement to a fax machine from anywhere in the U.S.A. Yet "junk faxing" is still a problem. The federal law gives people who receive junk faxes the right to sue for at least $500 per fax. In most cases, the law authorizes courts to award up to $1,500 per fax. </p>

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JUNK FAXING

June 21, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>Q. What is a "junk fax?" A. A junk fax is like a piece of junk mail, except you pay for the printing costs. It's an advertisement that you did not request or consent to receive that arrives via your fax machine.</p>

Got Convictions?

June 21, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>List of Corporate Repeat Offenders</h3> <p>FTCR research, including extensive information reported in the legal newsletter Corporate Crime Reporter, identifies corporate entities found guilty of "strikes" -- convictions or pleas to felony criminal charges -- over the last decade. Many companies with only one "strike" violation were also found to have a history of lesser criminal and civil convictions, fines and settlements. Some of these non-"strike" infractions are included in italics. </p>

Protect yourself against identity fraud

June 21, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Fayette Observer (North Carolina)</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, based in California, said that, in the wake of the news about the most recent security breach, consumers should immediately review their credit-card balances. Many companies allow customers to do that online.</p>

Protecting Against Billing Abuse — A Consumer Guide

June 21, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>Being a smart and savvy bill-payer is easy. The following pages contain the tips and information you need to quickly detect and resolve billing problems. You'll also learn where to go for more help. A few minutes' reading could save you money the next time you pay a bill. </p>

ANALYSIS: Governor is hoping to keep public interested in him

June 14, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>Arnoldwatch.org, a group opposed to the governor, also has released a list of the top 100 contributors to Schwarzenegger's campaign, because "it's important for the people to know where his money comes from and who is behind Arnold's agenda," said Doug Heller, executive director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which runs Arnoldwatch.</p>

Arnold Jeered, Air Arnold Grounded at Commencement

June 14, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">While Arnold gave his commencement speech to Santa Monica College students tonight, the Gov. faced "relentless protest" from students and teachers, according to LA reporter Warren...</font>

Study: Many Canadian Drug Web Sites Fake

June 14, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">DOW JONES NEWSWIRES</p> <p>It's doubtful that many consumers care if the Web site from which they purchase prescription drugs is based in Canada, said Jerry Flanagan, director of health policy at the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. Consumers, particularly seniors, are more worried about the safety of the drugs they are buying, he said.</p>

Cox’s Past Ties to Con Man Raise Questions

June 9, 2005  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>In 1985, when Cox assured state securities regulators that a new Cooper investment scheme would be "low risk" and an absolute boon to small investors trying to save for retirement, he was apparently unaware that the scheme was really designed to hide the losses already incurred by Cooper's investors and to keep the scam alive. In 1991, when Cooper hosted a fundraiser for Cox at his Villa Park home, Cox thought of him as merely "an upstanding member of the community." </p>