http://www.mail.com/subjects/901978-consumer-protection-advocacy.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/901978-consumer-protection-advocacy.html http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2072466-feds-closer-fake-mobile-bill-charges.html WASHINGTON (AP) — When a mysterious, unauthorized fee appears on your cellphone bill, it's called "cramming" and consumer advocates and regulators worry it's emerging as a significant problem as people increasingly ditch their landlines for wireless phones. The cramming fee is bogus and usually small, under $10 a month. It might be listed on your bill as ... Thu, 09 May 2013 01:31:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2072466-feds-closer-fake-mobile-bill-charges.html 2013-05-09T01:31:59Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2026176-aclu-slow-smartphone-updates-privacy-threat.html LONDON (AP) — One of the leading U.S. civil-rights organizations is taking on an unusual cause: spotty smartphone updates. The American Civil Liberties Union is asking the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to investigate what it considers a failure by U.S. wireless carriers to properly update the Google-built operating system used on Android phones. The ACLU ... Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:00:53 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2026176-aclu-slow-smartphone-updates-privacy-threat.html 2013-04-17T18:00:53Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2025002-usda-starts-program-to-track-farm-animals.html MILWAUKEE (AP) — The federal government has launched a new livestock identification program to help agriculture officials to quickly track livestock in cases of disease. It is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's second attempt at implementing such a system, which officials say is critical to maintaining the security of the nation's food supply. An earlie... Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:14:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2025002-usda-starts-program-to-track-farm-animals.html 2013-04-17T07:14:51Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2001756-calif-da-toyota-to-pay-16m-settlement.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — A $16 million settlement over the safety recall of Toyota vehicles that were at risk for unintended acceleration and braking issues was announced Friday by Orange County prosecutors and Toyota Motor Corp. The suit was one of a flood of cases brought against the automaker after more than 14 million vehicles were recalled in 2009 and 2010... Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:45:14 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2001756-calif-da-toyota-to-pay-16m-settlement.html 2013-04-05T23:45:14Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1991132-apple-apologizes-china-service-criticism.html BEIJING (AP) — Apple apologized to Chinese consumers after government media attacked its repair policies for two weeks in a campaign that reeked of economic nationalism. A statement Apple posted in Chinese on its website Monday said the complaints had prompted "deep reflection" and persuaded the company of the need to revamp its repair policies, boost com... Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:17:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1991132-apple-apologizes-china-service-criticism.html 2013-04-02T06:17:48Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1968286-appeals-court-rules-la-monks-casket-fight.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Benedictine monks may keep selling plain, low-cost caskets from their monastery outside New Orleans, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday, finding that a regulation that only state-licensed funeral directors may sell coffins in Louisiana had no reasonable grounds. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling in favor of St. ... Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:53:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1968286-appeals-court-rules-la-monks-casket-fight.html 2013-03-20T19:53:50Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1967656-jpmorgan-clamps-fees-payday-lenders.html NEW YORK (AP) — JPMorgan Chase said Wednesday that it will take steps to protect its customers from fees and other charges that payday lenders may slap on them. The bank said it will limit the fees that customers are charged when they overdraft their accounts to make payments to payday lenders. It will also "enhance communication and require additional tr... Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:29:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1967656-jpmorgan-clamps-fees-payday-lenders.html 2013-03-20T16:29:30Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1955388-govt-seeks-closer-oversight-student-loan-firms.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The government's consumer finance watchdog wants stricter oversight of companies that collect and log student loan payments. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed Thursday that it supervise the activities of nonbank student loan companies — a more stringent form of regulation than these companies have faced in the past. The b... Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:50:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1955388-govt-seeks-closer-oversight-student-loan-firms.html 2013-03-14T20:50:09Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1940258-warren-starts-taking-banks-regulators.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Elizabeth Warren rose to national prominence as an outspoken consumer advocate decrying Wall Street abuses and became the progressive movement's darling candidate in last fall's Senate elections. Like most freshman lawmakers, the Massachusetts Democrat has maintained a low profile during her first few months in office. That's starting to... Fri, 08 Mar 2013 09:10:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1940258-warren-starts-taking-banks-regulators.html 2013-03-08T09:10:35Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1905150-njs-biggest-utility-outlines-plans-to-stormproof.html New Jersey's largest utility company wants to spend nearly $4 billion over the next decade to stormproof its electric and gas system after Superstorm Sandy's high winds and devastating surge knocked out power to nearly all its customers last October. PSE&G on Wednesday filed a proposal outlining plans to raise or bunker electrical substations in flood-pro... Thu, 21 Feb 2013 07:33:36 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1905150-njs-biggest-utility-outlines-plans-to-stormproof.html 2013-02-21T07:33:36Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1886754-marijuana-legalization-raises-safety-questions.html DENVER (AP) — Marijuana may be coming out of the black market in Colorado and Washington state, but the drug, at least for now, will retain a decidedly underground feel: Users may not know what's in it. Less than a year away from allowing pot sales, regulators are grappling with how to ensure that the nation's first legal marijuana industry will grow weed... Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:59:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1886754-marijuana-legalization-raises-safety-questions.html 2013-02-12T17:59:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1883174-mountain-dew-introduces-breakfast-drink.html NEW YORK (AP) — If you don't like coffee or tea, Mountain Dew has a new breakfast drink that might perk you up. PepsiCo Inc. is rolling out a new drink called Kickstart this month that has Mountain Dew flavor but is made with 5 percent juice and Vitamins B and C, along with an extra jolt of caffeine. The company, based in Purchase, N.Y., is hoping to boos... Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1883174-mountain-dew-introduces-breakfast-drink.html 2013-02-11T14:07:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1847564-obama-praises-nominees-sec-consumer-panel.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says his picks for two top posts will crack down on those whose irresponsible behavior threatens the U.S. economy and the middle class. In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama praises his nominee to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mary Jo White, and his pick for the Consumer Financial Protectio... Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:05:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1847564-obama-praises-nominees-sec-consumer-panel.html 2013-01-26T10:05:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1842906-top-white-collar-crime-prosecutor-to-lead.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Thursday nominated Mary Jo White, a former U.S. attorney who built a reputation prosecuting white-collar criminals, terrorists and mobsters, to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission. The agency has a lead role in implementing changes on Wall Street. Obama also named Richard Cordray to stay on as head of th... Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:33:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1842906-top-white-collar-crime-prosecutor-to-lead.html 2013-01-24T19:33:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1830806-medical-privacy-rules-update.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Those medical privacy rules you run into at hospitals, pharmacies and in your own doctor's office are getting an update. Regulations unveiled this week by the Obama administration create new information rights that should make life easier for consumers. They also tighten restrictions on medical service providers trying to use patient inf... Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:00:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1830806-medical-privacy-rules-update.html 2013-01-18T21:00:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1830650-hsbc-to-pay-249m-to-settle-foreclosure-abuse-case.html WASHINGTON (AP) — British bank HSBC will pay $249 million to settle federal complaints that its U.S. division wrongfully foreclosed on homeowners who should have been allowed to stay in their homes. The agreement with the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is similar to deals with 12 other banks that ended a review of loan f... Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:37:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1830650-hsbc-to-pay-249m-to-settle-foreclosure-abuse-case.html 2013-01-18T19:37:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1827992-taxpayers-will-ease-banks-costs-mortgage-deal.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumer advocates have complained that U.S. mortgage lenders are getting off easy in a deal to settle charges that they wrongfully foreclosed on many homeowners. Now it turns out the deal is even sweeter for the lenders than it appears: Taxpayers will subsidize them for the money they're ponying up. The Internal Revenue Service regards ... Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:18:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1827992-taxpayers-will-ease-banks-costs-mortgage-deal.html 2013-01-17T21:18:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1826328-feds-finalize-protections-mortgage-borrowers.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The government's consumer lending watchdog finalized new rules Thursday aimed at protecting homeowners from shoddy service and unexpected fees charged by companies that collect their monthly mortgage payments. Mortgage servicing companies will be required to provide clear monthly billing statements, warn borrowers before interest rate hi... Thu, 17 Jan 2013 04:21:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1826328-feds-finalize-protections-mortgage-borrowers.html 2013-01-17T04:21:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1824538-goldman-morgan-stanley-pay-557m-mortgage-case.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley will pay a combined $557 million to settle federal complaints that they wrongfully foreclosed on homeowners who should have been allowed to stay in their homes. The agreements announced Wednesday with the Federal Reserve were similar to deals struck earlier this month with 10 other major banks and mortgag... Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:26:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1824538-goldman-morgan-stanley-pay-557m-mortgage-case.html 2013-01-16T16:26:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1823112-banks-agencys-oversight-slow-costly.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Bankers and financial industry leaders are criticizing the early efforts of the government's new consumer finance watchdog, saying a slow and inefficient oversight process has slowed lending and made it more difficult for them to do business. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's team that examines banks is understaffed, inexperienc... Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:27:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1823112-banks-agencys-oversight-slow-costly.html 2013-01-15T21:27:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1806010-us-banks-to-pay-85b-mortgage-settlement.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of Americans stand to benefit from the latest mortgage-abuse settlement, but consumer advocates say U.S. banks may be getting the best of the deal. Banks have agreed to pay $8.5 billion to settle charges that they wrongfully foreclosed on millions of homeowners in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Abuses includ... Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1806010-us-banks-to-pay-85b-mortgage-settlement.html 2013-01-08T09:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1798134-google-emerges-ftc-probe-unscathed.html SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google has settled a U.S. government probe into its business practices without making any major concessions on how the company runs its Internet search engine, the world's most influential gateway to digital information and commerce. Thursday's agreement with the Federal Trade Commission covers only some of the issues raised in a wide... Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:46:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1798134-google-emerges-ftc-probe-unscathed.html 2013-01-04T11:46:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1787172-fees-undermine-fliers-ability-to-compare-fares.html WASHINGTON (AP) — For many passengers, air travel is only about finding the cheapest fare. But as airlines offer a proliferating list of add-on services, from early boarding to premium seating and baggage fees, the ability to comparison-shop for the lowest total fare is eroding. Global distribution systems that supply flight and fare data to travel agents... Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:12:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1787172-fees-undermine-fliers-ability-to-compare-fares.html 2012-12-26T22:12:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1773850-facebook-rejects-german-demand-to-allow-fake-names.html BERLIN (AP) — Facebook will fight a German privacy watchdog's demand to allow users to register with fake names, insisting Tuesday that its current practice fully complies with the law. The California-based social networking site has long required users to register with their real names — a policy that the data protection commissioner of Schleswig-Holstei... Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:05:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1773850-facebook-rejects-german-demand-to-allow-fake-names.html 2012-12-19T18:05:00Z