In honor of this year's Consumer Protection Week, the Arizona PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) Education Fund will highlight everyday issues faced by residents across the state and provide tips to protect yourself and your family. I have decided that.
Data privacy protection. Businesses often ask for information they need to provide a service. However, many people collect more information about you than necessary. When companies collect and sell data about you, your information becomes more likely to be compromised or hacked, making you more susceptible to identity theft.Our tip: Why privacy matters even when you have nothing to hide.
Medical billing and credit reports. Nearly 1 in 10 people in the United States has medical debt, with approximately 11 million people having debts of $2,000 or more and 3 million people having debts of $10,000 or more. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is considering ways to protect people with medical debt from the negative effects of negative credit reports.Our Tip: Medical Costs and Consumer Rights.
robocalls and robotexts. Robocalls and robotexts remain the No. 1 consumer complaint to the Federal Communications Commission, and scams (which often begin with fraudulent calls) are the No. 1 complaint to the Federal Trade Commission. Late last year, the FCC adopted rules for robot text. And last month, the FCC decided to ban robocalls that use artificial intelligence.Our Tip: How to Stop Robocalls and Robotexts and Avoid Scams.
Right to repair. Consumers are increasingly spending more on electronics and appliances, Product life span is shortened.In part, these factors right to repair The movement will help manufacturers remove barriers and give consumers the option to repair products – from smartphones and tablets to farm tractors, power wheelchairs and medical equipment – so they don't have to be replaced prematurely. I am asking you to do so.Latest fix fails The scorecard helps consumers identify which laptop and cell phone brands support repairs.
Product safety. New Analysis of Arizona PIRG Education Fund, Safe at home in 2024, documented 323 announcements of defective home appliances, furniture, bicycle helmets, toys, and other everyday items in 2023. The value of the recalled products was between $12.9 billion and $24.6 billion. Our tip: Research product recalls.
Airline passenger protection. If you've traveled by plane in the last year, or talked to someone who has, you know that planes are usually full, delays are common, and travel can be stressful. The U.S. Department of Transportation is considering new rules that would require airlines to reimburse travelers for hotel, meal and rebooking costs if they are responsible for cancellations or significant delays that strand customers. . Our Tips: Airline Travel Tips.
Protecting yourself from consumer rip-offs and fraud should be part of Arizonans' daily lives. It will always be a part of who we are.
