Make Every Dollar Count! Monday, March 31, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in finances.add a comment
It only takes a trip to the grocery store to realize that the cost of food and gas is way up. Now more than ever, it is important to carefully review your receipts and bills to make sure that what you’re being charged accurately reflects what you think you’re buying!
How realistic is it, though, to expect shoppers to keep track of the prices they saw on shelves or weekly ads and remember them at the check-out? Our consumer experts at NCL say even if consumers don’t keep their eyes peeled to the price scanner, they still deserve to expect quality and integrity in the goods they buy and the customer service they receive.
Check This Out: Sample Tax Scam Email Thursday, March 27, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in finances, fraud, phishing.add a comment
So, we’re doing some education this time of year on tax scams – trying to make consumers aware that these criminals’ ploys are out there and help them avoid falling for them. But, it turns out that the tax scams aren’t just limited to the weeks leading up to April 15, the deadline to file taxes. Depending on the pitch, many of them happen year-round.
We did a little bit of digging and found an email sent to us by a friend a while back. Lucky for her, she was smart enough to recognize it was a scam (“I wish it were true …” her email began), but the email is pretty realistic-looking, and it wouldn’t be easy to immediately identify it as a scam – especially if your judgment is a little blurred because you need the cash. There are some give-aways, though. See for yourself:
Tax Time = Scam Time Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in finances, fraud, phishing.add a comment
April 15 is a date that is on many of our minds this time of year, and the clock is ticking.
It’s no news that scammers work year-round. But now, more than ever, NCL’s Fraud Center is finding that con artists are going after consumers through tax refund and rebate scams. So, this year, not only do consumers need to rush to get their taxes filed on time, but they need to watch out for scams as well.
NCL’s Fraud Center has been tracking the scam since April 2005, and we’ve found that most of the set-ups consumers report are variations of phishing scams. It’s happening via both phone and email, and there are several pitches, ranging from claims of “tax relief” services to help speeding up refunds. (more…)
Bad Economy Blurring Your Judgment? Friday, March 21, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in NCL's 2008 Consumer Calendar, finances, fraud.add a comment
Budget cuts. Credit crunch. Foreclosures galore.
The cost of daily necessities such as food and gas continue to rise, and the status of our economy is bleak. In a panic, a slightly questionable opportunity to make some quick cash may seem even more appealing.
But NCL is reminding consumers this month to carefully evaluate offers to work from the comfort of home. Be cautious about emails offering work-at-home opportunities.
Just because the company places an ad for a job in a reputable paper, Web site or magazine does not make the offer legitimate. Don’t get involved in work that requires depositing a check in your bank account and them wiring them money — that’s a fake check scam!
Report suspected work-at-home scams or any other telemarketing and Internet scams to NCL’s Fraud Center.
This month’s tips from NCL’s “2008 Consumer Calendar: Do We Have Tips for You!” on avoiding fraudulent Work-at-Home offers are sponsored by Quixtar.
Sunshine in Litigation Act Gets Boost in Senate Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in legislative issues.add a comment
Three cheers for the Senate Judiciary Committee, which approved what the New York Times called in a March 12 editorial “a modest but potentially life-saving bill” known as the Sunshine in Litigation Act, a piece of legislation that would require judges in federal courts to take into account public interest before granting a request for secrecy. In a letter NCL sent, along with Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Government Accountability Project, and U.S. PIRG, to the Honorable Senator Herb Kohl, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, we argued our support for the act and encouraged senators to see to it that it’s passed quickly.
(more…)
Remembering Howard Metzenbaum (1917-2008) Monday, March 17, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in Sally Greenberg, worker's rights issues.1 comment so far
By Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director
The National Consumers League and its allies in the consumer advocacy world lost a friend and icon last week: U.S. Senator Howard Metzenbaum (D-OH), who supported the work of the Child Labor Coalition as a Senate Advisor. Metzenbaum championed the rights of consumers and workers in Congress and was beloved by consumer and labor leaders alike. For example, to protect workers from the disruption of plant closings and loss of jobs, Metzenbaum authored a law requiring 60 days’ notice before a company could shut down a plant.
Metz, as he was called, never shied away from a fight – often infuriating the conservatives in Congress. And when he retired from the Senate, he agreed to serve as Chairman of the Consumer Federation of America. Lucky CFA! I would be hard-pressed to name another Senator whose name is so synonymous with consumer rights and protections. For Metzenbaum, there were no sacred cows – he went after big oil, the insurance and pharmaceutical industry, banks, in his nearly twenty years of service. He also championed the campaign for universal health insurance, an issue with as much (perhaps more) urgency today as it had back in the 1980s.
During my decade with Consumers Union, I worked with many former Metzenbaum staffers and the Senator himself. He reviewed the resumes of applicants for CU’s Esther Peterson Public Interest Fellowship, and I worked on vetting aspiring consumer advocates for that program. They share common traits that I see in many consumer colleagues: indefatigable advocacy for consumer issues in Congress and in the federal agencies and an unwillingness to take “no” for an answer when consumer rights and protections are at stake, even when the deck is stacked against them.
Senator Howard Metzenbaum, vocal and fearless consumer advocates in Congress are a rare breed and we will miss you.
Great Youth Educational Resource: Thinkfinity.org Friday, March 14, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in LifeSmarts, Sally Greenberg, kids.add a comment
By Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director
I had the opportunity to travel up to New York City last Friday with 
NCL Board member Sam Simon to attend the unveiling of the Verizon Foundation’s new educational Thinkfinity.org Web site. The event was part of the New York’s public television station’s (WNET) Celebration of Teaching and Learning conference. And what better way to spend the last day of National Consumer Protection Week than celebrating our friend and avid LifeSmarts’ partners’ own initiative aimed at K-12 graders.
Here I am (in the photo on the right), between our hosts: Kathy Brown, Senior Vice President, Public Policy Development and Corporate Social Responsibility and Patrick Gaston, President of the Verizon Foundation. The conference featured luminaries such as ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, and NBC News anchor and correspondent, Ann Curry. The press conference highlighted an enhanced Thinkfinity.org – the Verizon Foundation’s free, comprehensive program and online portal to 55,000 educational and literacy resources for teachers, parents and students. The site features lesson plans and interactive activities, and the ability for users to search for resources tailored to individual state standards. Sam and I were impressed by the many resources offered to students and teachers by the site. The National Consumers League shares Verizon Foundation’s commitment to educating young consumers through groundbreaking new technologies and looks forward to our continued work with the Foundation. The site offers valuable content for students and teachers alike, and we encourage everyone to check it out.
Purple: The New Green? Thursday, March 13, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in finances.add a comment
Today we learned that the 5 dollar bill is the first to
get a makeover by the Federal Reserve in attempts to thwart counterfeiters. Honest Abe is still the bill’s main attraction, but he’s surrounded by some new security features that will make faking it more difficult, including new watermarks and changes to that little security “thread” that’s woven into the bill.
More obvious than these differences, perhaps, are the numerous splashes of purple across the bill. But the color changes aren’t for security reasons – they’re meant to help people with visual impairments have an easier time using the money.
According to an LA Times article, we should start seeing these new bills pretty quickly, as more than 200 million of them will be released in the next three weeks!
Game On! Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in LifeSmarts, finances, health, kids, safety.add a comment
NCL’s staff is working away to prepare for our annual LifeSmarts National Championship this year from April 12-15. This year, we’re heading to Minneapolis, MN, LifeSmarts Program Director, Lisa Hertzberg’s hometown! The League runs the LifeSmarts program, which tests thousands of middle school and high school students nationwide on real-life consumer issues through online quizzes and live contests.
High school state champs from across the nation will show off their consumer smarts on personal finance, health and safety, environment, technology and consumer rights and responsibilities April 12-15 as they compete for the national title.
Here’s a peek into the fun:
Saturday, April 12
Teams from across the nation check-in at the hotel, go through orientation, where they get their first glimpse of the competition, and are briefed on the rules. Later that evening, the teams get to let loose at the mixer.
Sunday, April 13
Competition begins. Months of studying and honing their skills through online and in-person come in handy.
Monday, April 14
The competition heats up! Teams compete until only four teams are standing. Later in the day, the teams take a break from competing and take in the local scene on a fun outing.
Tuesday, April 15
The competition comes down to the quarterfinals and semifinals, until the only team standing is named the 2008 LifeSmarts National Champion! The champion team receives its prizes at the Awards Banquet.
We wanted to send a huge thank you to our sponsors, state coordinators, coaches and volunteers who make the LifeSmarts program all that it is! Check out the news coverage the teams have received so far, and be sure to visit www.lifesmarts.org to cheer on the teams during Nationals!
Strapped for cash? Join the club! Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Posted by savvyconsumer in finances.add a comment
Times are tight. Seems like you can’t turn on the TV, open a newspaper, or connect to the Internet without seeing news reports about consumer bankruptcies and concerns about a recession.
Lately, we’ve been hearing about consumers being so strapped for cash that they’re tapping into their 401(k) or other retirement accounts. Our friends at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States, are noticing this trend too. They’re reminding consumers to research the terms of any 401 (k) loan agreement you’re considering, including the interest rate, any fees, and other applicable terms before drawing on these accounts.
As a last resort, you may want to look into whether you qualify for a hardship withdrawal from your 401(k). This is not a quick fix; you have to apply to prove your hardship, you probably won’t have access to contributions by your employer, and there are other fine-print-type details. Read more to find out more about how this works.
Yikes! You know the economy’s getting rough when people are using their retirement cash to pay for gas and other bills. We’ll keep our ear out for more information on this trend and continue to provide you with as many money-saving tips as we can.
