In the News
FTC Announces "Operation Tele-PHONEY," Agency's Largest Telemarketing Sweep
As posted on May 20, 2008 on www.ftc.gov
More Than 180 Actions Brought by Commission and Its Law Enforcement Partners
Georgia agency sues Bill Heard
As posted on August 28, 2008 on www.ledger-enquirer.com
Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs claims company uses deceptive, misleading business practices...
Tight Credit Puts Squeeze On Big Three Auto Dealers
From the August 28, 2008 edition, Wall Street Journal, Page B1
GM, Ford, and Chrysler deny credit to dealerships with weak finances...
Georgia Do Not Call Registration Passes Five Million
As posted on August 28, 2008 on www.theweekly.com
Millions of consumers just say "no" to telemarketing calls...
State says Bill Heard Chevrolet used deceptive practices
As posted on August 27, 2008 on www.ajc.com
Georgia auto dealer denies allegations made by Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs...
Data Breaches Have Surpassed Level for All of '07, Report Finds
From the August 26, 2008 edition,
At least 22 million consumer records have been the target of data breaches so far this year...
After a Recall, Risks Remain For Consumers
From the August 19, 2008 edition, Wall Street Journal, page D1
Some Never Learn of Hazards, Or Simply Ignore Warnings; A 15% to 30% Response Rate
Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs Launches ConsumerEd Web site
As posted on www.gov.georgia.gov on July 31, 2008
New ConsumerEd.com website helps Georgians become savvier consumers...
Survey Identifies America's Top Consumer Complaints
As posted on July 30, 2008 on www.consumerfed.org
National, State and Local Consumer Leaders Provide Advice on Avoiding Rip-Offs...
Private medical data exposed
From the July 29, 2008 edition, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, page A1
Insurance benefit letters sent to wrong addresses by Blue Cross and Blue Shield reveal claim histories, open door to ID theft.
Georgia Power Billing Scam
As broadcast on WRDW-TV-Augusta on July 25, 2008
Con artists posing as Georgia Power workers scam consumers out of bill money.
Banks try to calm worried depositors
From the July 25, 2008 edition, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Page 1A
In Georgia, the bulk of the state's deposits are insured, according to Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. data....
4 Gas-Saving Deals That Rarely Pay Off
As posted on July 23, 2008 on http://finance.yahoo.com
Gas-saving devices, gas coupons and vouchers are often not all they're cracked up to be.
Time to Speak Up About New Credit Rules
As posted on July 22, 2008 on http://redtape.msnbc.com
Consumers have until August 4th to submit their comments regarding proposed credit card rules to the Federal Reserve Board...
PSC Advises Consumers to Beware of Contracting with an Illegal Household Goods Mover
As posted on July 18, 2008 on www.theweekly.com
Movers not registered with the Public Service Commission may take advantage of consumers.
PSC Reminder to Georgia Natural Gas 'Variable Market' Customers: Deadline Approaches Soon to Apply for $25 Credit
As posted on July 14, 2008 on www.theweekly.com
GNG customers who switched to another GNG plan between 12/31/06-7/31/08 are eligible for a credit.
New board to license contractors
As posted on June 29, 2008 on www.jacksonville.com
As of July 1, 2008 general contractors must be licensed with the Secretary of State.
Diploma Mill Concerns Extend Beyond Fraud
As posted on June 29, 2008 on www.nytimes.com
Fraudsters using Internet to offer bogus college degrees in record numbers.
Verizon Spanked by FCC; Can't Harass Ex-Customers
As posted on June 23, 2008 on http://blog.wired.com/
Verizon ordered to cease and desist from unfair marketing tactics.
Mortgage and Credit Crisis
As posted on June 20, 2008 on www.ajc.com
Fraud remains a big problem in Georgia.
Commission stays firm on energy rates
As posted on June 18, 2008 on The Florida Times-Union
PSC upholds its decision not to allow Georgia Power to charge seasonal fuel rates.
New Law Adds Fairness To Foreclosure Process
As posted on www.atlantalegalaid.org
Governor signs law giving more rights to homeowners facing foreclosure.
PSC offers natural gas rate comparison chart
As posted on June 10, 2008 on www.ajc.com
Consumers can view an apples-to-apples comparison of natural gas marketers' rate plans.
Never Pay In Advance To Fix Your Credit
From the June 7, 2008 edition, The Washington Post, Real Estate Section, Page F1.
According to a complaint the FTC filed in U.S. District Court in New York, the Home Buyers Consulting Network of Raleigh promised would-be buyers that it could raise their credit scores by 50 to 100 points, help them locate foreclosed houses through a network of participating agents, and connect them with low-cost mortgage money to complete the deal.
Battle over power bills looms
As posted on June 5, 2008 on www.romenews-tribune.com
Consumers' Utility Counsel fights against higher summer electric rates.
Switch to digital TV has obstacles, GAO finds
From the June 1, 2008 edition, Houston Chronicle, News Section, Page 31.
Television broadcasters face a number of technical hurdles and coordination issues as they prepare for the digital TV transition, raising concerns that some viewers may be left in the dark, according to a recent report by the Government Accountability Office.
Student Loans Make Money for Taxpayers
As posted on May 21, 2008 on www.usnews.com
As banks and private lenders quit offering what they say are money-losing educational loans, one group is making nice profits from some student and parent borrowers: taxpayers.
Investors Are Warned Of New Scam
From the May 16, 2008 edition, Wall Street Journal (Eastern edition, New York), Page C3.
Finra is the nongovernmental regulator of securities firms doing business in the U.S. It was created from a merger of the National Association of Securities Dealers and regulatory functions of the New York Stock Exchange.
Credit Cards Cost, No Matter What
From the May 15, 2008 edition, Washington Post, Page D02
Study finds that consumers spend more money when they purchase with a credit card rather than cash.
Web site to help Georgians make decisions about health care
From the May 9, 2008 edition, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Metro Section, Page E3.
The Georgia Department of Community Health has awarded a $5.2 million contract to the IBM Corp. to build a Web site for state consumers of health care that will help people make more informed decisions.
Credit Card Issuers Cut Off Consumers
As posted on May 9, 2008 on www.wsj.com
Even for people like Larson, who carry little to no outstanding credit-card balances but keep an extra card in case of emergency, an involuntary closure could not only take away a standby line of credit, but negatively affect their credit score as well.
As auto insurance rates rise, steer toward money-saving strategies
From the May 6, 2008 edition, USA TODAY, Money Section, Page B3.
Auto insurance rates rose during the first quarter but the increase added only $8 to $9 to the average consumer's annual bill.
Government launches crackdown on unfair credit cards
As posted on May 2, 2008 on www.ajc.com
Federal Reserve proposes new rules prohibiting various unfair credit card practices.
Larger Prey Are Targets of Phishing
As posted on April 16, 2008 on www.nytimes.com, Technology section
Thousands fall prey to email scam targeting top executives.
Majoring in Plastic
From the April 13, 2008 edition,
With Easy Access to Credit Cards, Students Pick Up the Debt Habit Early
Break free from wallet-squeezing fees
As posted on April 11, 2008 on www.cnn.com
Consumers should watch out for and protect themselves from high bank fees, credit card fees and cell phone fees.
Tax Preparers Confuse and Abuse Mystery Shoppers: Consumer Advocates Urge IRS to Stop Tax Preparers from Using Confidential Tax Returns to Sell Refund Anticipation Loans
As posted on April 8, 2008 on www.yahoo.com, News Section
Mystery Shoppers Expose Refund Anticipation Loan Abuses by Tax Preparers
New Javelin Report Benchmarks 25 Top Credit Card Issuers for Consumer Identity Safety Features
As posted on April 7, 2008 on www.yahoo.com, Finance Section
Ratings and recommendations concerning credit card fraud prevention, detection and resolution.
Tips for Fighting Identity Theft
From the April 2, 2008 edition, Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition)
Plenty of products promise to help consumers avoid becoming the victims of identity theft, but none of them are foolproof...
Savers Feel Pinch Of Tight Credit; Banks Are Slashing Rates on Deposit Accounts and CDs, Forcing Consumers to Dig Deeper for Decent Yields
From the April 1, 2008 edition, Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), Page D1.
Yields on savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money-market accounts are dropping en masse in the wake of the Federal Reserve's latest round of rate cuts...
Charging gas brings additional charge; Pumps show different prices for cash, credit
In the April 1, 2008 edition, Times-Picayune, Money Section, Page 1.
In New Orleans more gas stations struggling to make a profit are charging different prices for customers who pay with credit than those who pay with cash...
OUR OPINIONS: High time for credit-freeze bill
From the April 1, 2008 edition, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Page A12.
House Bill 130 empowers consumers to impose a security freeze that bars credit agencies from releasing their financial information...
It's Time to Trim the Fat
From the March 31, 2008 edition, Newsweek, Volume 151, Issue 13
Sara and Michael Brady squeezed $200 a month out of the family budget...
Credit union could help you find good savings rates
As posted on March 31, 2008 on www.usatoday.com
Rates on credit union CDs, often called share certificates, are often higher than rates on bank CDs...
Eager for your tax rebate? Make sure you get it without delay
From the March 24, 2008 edition, USA TODAY, Money Section.
The IRS announced last week that it will start distributing the money on May 2, based on the last two digits of your Social Security number...
Despite credit crunch, federal student loans are still mostly easy to get
From the March 18, 2008 edition, USA TODAY, Page B4.
Some banks plan to expand their lending to college students in the upcoming academic year, the Consumer Bankers Association, the main trade group for the banking industry, said last week...
'King of spam' pleads guilty, faces 26 years in prison
As posted on March 17, 2008 on www.infoworld.com
Robert Soloway has avoided fines in the past when found guilty of spam charges, but this time around he may not be so lucky...
Phishing Scams, Frivolous Arguments Top the 2008 "Dirty Dozen" Tax Scams
As posted on March 13, 2008 on www.irs.gov
IRS warns consumers of the worst tax scams.
BUDGET TRAVELER: Consider consolidator for airfares to Europe
From the March 12, 2008 edition, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Page E6.
If you've been shopping for a low airfare rate to Europe, chances are you have a collection of various prices ranging from reasonable to outrageous from several airline and travel Web sites...
FCC chief hasn't lost focus on cable; He's resolute on doing something about rising prices
In the March 11, 2008 edition, USA TODAY, Money Section, Page B3.
If Kevin Martin, the Republican chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, is smarting from bruising battles last year with fellow commissioners, Congress and the cable industry, he's showing no signs of it...
Cheap clothes are a bad investment; To get the most for your money, buy long-lasting quality
In the March 7, 2008 edition, USA TODAY, Page B3.
When buyers for TJX -- parent company of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls -- shop for those stores, they use a "value equation" that considers the items' trendiness, quality, price and brand...
Some gas customers could get $25 to end rate dispute
From the March 4, 2008 edition, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Georgia Public Service Commission proposes agreements to resolve consumer complaints about variable rate plans.
Borrowers Are Out In The Cold
In the March 3, 2008 edition, Newsweek, Volume 151, Issue 9, Page 34.
If America's $14 trillion economy is a high-powered engine, credit is the motor oil that helps it run smoothly. When the lubricant is in short supply, the economy like an engine is more prone to knocks and stalling...
Credit Crisis May Make College Loans More Costly; Some Firms Stop Lending to Students
From the March 3, 2008 edition, The Washington Post, Section A, Page A1.
Students seeking federally guaranteed loans, which are popular because they offer fixed, below-market rates, could be required to pay higher fees to borrow money, according to university finance directors and lenders...
FTC Charges Mortgage Foreclosure Rescuers with Deceiving Homeowners
As posted on February 28, 2008 on www.ftc.gov
FTC files complaint against six businesses for allegedly offering predatory and deceptive loans to homeowners facing foreclosure.
Education key to debt reduction: Consumers learn strategies through games, workshops
From the February 16, 2008 edition, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Buyer's Edge Section, Page FE1.
Many of the people seen at CCCS's downtown Atlanta offices are in dire straits that might have been avoided through education...
$6.6 million gas grant for needy on agenda
PSC gets earful from gas customer
Two natural gas marketers accused of overcharging by not publicizing new rates.
FTC Releases List of Top Consumer Fraud Complaints in 2007
As posted on February 13, 2008 on www.ftc.gov
Fraud losses top $1.2 billion, as ID theft heads the list for the seventh year in a row.
Personal finance: Where credit is due
As posted on February 4, 2008 on www.newsday.com
The FICO credit score is being re-formulated to be more forgiving of occasional missed payments and tougher on "repeat offenders"...
For Just a Few Dollars, A Big TV and Years of Debt
From the February 2, 2008 edition, New York Times (Late Edition (East Coast)), Page B1.
If these transactons were set up as a loan, the interest rate would be 71 percent and illegal under the usury laws. But this deal is called ''rent to own' ...
72 Tips for Safer Computing
As posted on February 1, 2008 on www.pcmag.com
Find out how to arm yourself against spam, spyware, viruses, phishing and hacking.
5 Creative Ways to Boost Your Credit
From the February 2008 edition, Essence, Volume 38, Issue 10, Page 92.
Hints to improve your credit...
IRS Warns of New E-Mail and Telephone Scams Using the IRS Name; Advance Payment Scams Starting
As posted on January 30, 2008 on www.irs.gov
New scams trick consumers into giving out personal and financial information to fraudsters claiming to be from the IRS...
The Rush to Push Plastic; Companies use free food and Facebook to lure students
From the January 28, 2008 edition, U.S. News & World Report, Volume 144, Issue 3, Page 58.
The nonprofit U.S. PIRG has launched a campaign to get schools to adopt a code of principles that would stop credit card companies from offering gifts to students, among other changes...
TAPPED-OUT CONSUMERS; Blowback from the mortgage mess has average Americans struggling. And that's spooking The Street
From the January 28, 2008 edition, Business Week, Issue 4068, Page 22.
Actions by two banks have rekindled fears that the economy, if not already in recession, is on the verge of one...
Tips to help you survive economy's downturns
From the January 27, 2008 edition, Tulsa World, Page E1
Whether we're headed for a recession or not, it never hurts to plan ahead and be prepared...
Preparing seniors for 2009's digital TV switch
From the January 23, 2008 edition, Seattle Times, Page G4.
What happens in 2009 when analog transmissions change to digital?
Credit card data breach could affect 650,000
As posted on January 17, 2008 on www.msnbc.com
Computer back-up tape containing customer records from J.C. Penney and other retailers goes missing...
Credit report freeze bill makes it through House committee
Proposed legislation would allow Georgians to freeze access to their credit reports...
Most Taxpayers Eligible to File Their Taxes Online for Free
As posted on January 10, 2008 on www.irs.gov
If your adjusted gross income is $54,000 or less, you are eligible for free tax preparation and electronic filing...
UGA contacting 4,000 after computer breached by hacker
As posted on January 9, 2008 on www.ajc.com
Hacker accesses UGA computer containing students' Social Security numbers and other personal information...
Some Home Fix-Up Tasks Are Worth Skipping; Real-Estate Agents Say Big Upgrades Don't Give Paybacks
From the January 2, 2008 edition, Wall Street Journal (Eastern edition), Page B11.
Think about recouping your investments before remodeling prior to a sale...
Georgia's "Move-Over Law": "Slow Down. Change Lanes. Save Lives."
January 2008 News Release from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety
Georgia law requires that drivers move over one lane for emergency vehicles on the side of the road, or else face a $500 fine...