Consumer News Archive

Be wise if you donate to Haiti earthquake charities. Tax Refund Loans: A Costly Deal
Updated March 6, 2010
• Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) are popular.
• Quick cash is hard to resist, but you should.
• RALs are loaded with high rates and fees.
• Find out ways to avoid this expensive trap.
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Be wise if you donate to Haiti earthquake charities. Credit card laws new for 2010
Updated Feb. 22, 2010
• Creditors have new restrictions.
• It's tougher to raise your interest rates.
• Find out the parts of this complicated law.
• Learn more about other new consumer laws.
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After a disaster, who's helping and who's harming? Protect Yourself After the Disaster
Updated Jan. 21, 2010
• If recent weather affected your property, protect it.
• Thieves prey upon those who are most vulnerable.
• Know the difference between those who help and harm.
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Be wise if you donate to Haiti earthquake charities. Help Victims, Don't Become One
Updated January 14, 2010
• If you donate to Haiti earthquake victims, do it wisely.
• Watch out for phony charities and scams.
• Research charities before you give.
• Think before you click a link or send a text.
Full story

Top 10 Tips: Holiday Shopping
Updated Nov. 20, 2009
Most of us get excited about shopping for the perfect holiday presents for our friends and loved ones. Sometimes our enthusiasm may cloud our financial judgment. These tips will help you avoid holiday shopping problems and New Year’s budget blues. more

"Cash For Clunkers" completed
Updated Aug. 26, 2009
• Popular U.S. program ended in August.
• Nearly 700,000 rebates worth $2.9 billion given.
• Dealers are finishing up pending deals.
Full story

Digital Television Top 10 Questions: Digital TV Transition
Updated June 15, 2009
Now that Congress has set a February 17, 2009, date for the completion of the "DTV transition," what do you need to do? Here are some answers to the most common questions about the upcoming digital television transition. more

A credit freeze can help prevent ID theft Freeze Credit to Put a Chill on ID Theft
August 20, 2008
You can help prevent identity theft by putting a security freeze on your credit file. A freeze stops the major credit reporting agencies from sharing your credit information with potential creditors. Most businesses will not open new credit without access to this information. more

Stop junk from piling up. Simple Steps Can Cut the Clutter
August 1, 2007
Junk mail is clogging up the mailbox. Spam is doing the same to your inbox. Telemarketers are calling all the time. Pre-approved credit-card offers are piling up. You could build a new wing to your house to hold all the junk. Better yet, you can follow a few simple tips and help keep extra clutter out of your life. more

California Car Buyer's Bill of Rights
May 1, 2007
The Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights, a law that affects the rights of consumers, went into effect July 1, 2006. The law impacts the purchase of cars handled by a licensed dealer. more

Foreclosures are on the rise. Defaulted Loans Fuel Foreclosure Frenzy
April 12, 2007
Foreclosures are on the rise in Los Angeles County. The main cause is the rise in adjustable mortgage rates for homeowners who purchased in the past two years. As recently as 2005, if someone couldn’t afford a home they could easily sell it at a profit and avoid any problems. Help is available for homeowners and taking early action can save a home. more

DCA Elder Financial Abuse Class Fighting Elder Financial Abuse
March 12, 2007
Financial abuse of seniors is a growing problem. Some people call it “The crime of the 21st century.” The Department of Consumer Affairs is out to educate seniors before they might become victims. more

Felony Arrests in Real Estate Scam Of Elderly, Infirm
October 18, 2006
A yearlong investigation by County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) investigators resulted in the arrests of a Monterey Park couple this morning by Agents from the California Department of Justice. The couple is accused of unlawfully taking possession of roughly 100 homes, many of which are owned by senior citizens. The elderly victims were often ill or living in a nursing facility. more

Identity Theft Article Identity Theft: 10 Ways to Protect Yourself
The Federal Trade Commission reports there were 9 million cases of identity theft last year with losses to consumers of more than $5 billion. What’s more, 80% of those victimized do not know how their identity was stolen, or who did it. For these reasons, it’s important to understand how your personal and financial information can be stolen and what you can do to protect yourself. more

Predatory Lenders On The Prowl
Predatory lending is a term used by newspapers and the media to describe abusive lending practices. Predatory lenders only offer high interest loans with lots of junk fees tacked on, even though a homeowner or homebuyer may qualify for a better loan. High interest rates and unnecessary fees raise the loan amount and make it hard for borrowers to meet their monthly payments. This puts homeowners at risk of losing their home and the money they’ve put into it. more