consumer protection
Warren Accepts Role as Consumer Agency Adviser
Harvard Law professor Elizabeth Warren announced early Friday that she had accepted an advisory role with the newly created U.S. consumer protection agency. The move comes despite fierce opposition from the financial industry.
Obama May Name Elizabeth Warren as Interim Head of Consumer Agency
The White House is exploring ways that Warren could run the bureau without having to go through a confirmation battle, leading to reports that Obama will use a recess appointment. But that would last only until the end of 2011.
Privacy Cop Germany Puts Apple in the Crosshairs
In its latest move to safeguard computer users' rights and burnish its reputation as a global privacy cop, Germany is seeking to dig deeper into Apple's collection of its customers' location-based data.
Financial Reform: Two Key Wins for Consumers
Provisions now in the financial regulation overhaul may end up saving Americans on everything from debit cards to mortgages. How else will the emerging new rules affect consumers?
New Rules to Benefit Air Passengers
New consumer protection rules for the airline industry boost penalties significantly for bumping passengers off flights. The changes also aim to take some of the guesswork out of a ticket's final price.
Car Dealers to Congress:
No Oversight, Please
The nation's car dealers are lobbying Congress to cut them a bargain in the new financial reform bill. Their aim -- to keep auto loans outside the purview of the new agency being created to protect consumers from financial services firms' abusive practices.
New Rules Will Curb Not-So-Free Credit Reports
A new Federal Trade Commission rule is now in effect that will protect consumers who sought to take advantage of offers for "free credit reports," but were often misled into signing up for credit monitoring services or other products.
A Consumer Financial Cop? Not Likely
Now that Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) no longer has to worry about getting reelected, he's considering scrapping the idea of an independent agency in return for bipartisan support of the broader financial regulation overhaul bill.
