Jamie Court says a portion of the unclaimed CRV deposits currently held by the state should be allocated to keeping recycling centers open and accessible to consumers. Just 10 to 20 million of the $300 million in unclaimed deposits would help keep centers afloat. 

Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court Discusses the recent turmoil at LADWP and questions whether the recent changes and new leadership be enough to truly reform the utility organization. 

A man posed as a surgical assistant in the hospital operating room at several hospitals and stole from patients and employees. The police were not able to find any kind of licensing, credentials or qualifications. Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court says hospitals are responsible for everyone they bring in as a contractor. 

Californians living in high fire danger areas are facing an insurance crisis as companies are drastically increasing their rates or dropping their policies completely. 

Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court says Insurance Commissioner Lara can do more to prevent discrimination against people and protect Californians in high fire risk areas with his regulatory powers. 

Homeowners in high fire risk areas are experiencing insurance premium increases of up to 4 times more expensive, some not being renewed at all. 

Consumer Watchdog, wrote an open letter to Lara on Tuesday.

“As Insurance Commissioner, you have broad power that you are not using to prevent insurance companies from unfairly penalizing homeowners,” Consumer Watchdog Executive Director Carmen Balber wrote. “There is a way, now it is up to you to demonstrate the will.”

United States Senators Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal have written to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ask if carmakers have reported the cybersecurity vulnerabilities in their Internet-connected cars and what steps NHTSA is taking to address the problem.

The largest fine issued against a car insurance company in California has been upheld by the state supreme court. As mandated by Prop 103, insurance companies must charge fair premiums and get the insurance commissioners's approval for those rates.However Mercury had been overcharging consumers by adding broker fees on top of premiums. The California supreme court has upheld the decision that Mercury must pay the $27 million fine.