consumer alert Archives - Media City Groove

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

By Public News Service Tuesday, November 25, 2025

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Medicare costs rising in CA and across the country

Suzanne Potter, producer/reporter, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service. The federal government just announced 2026 Medicare cost increases. Medicare Part B premiums are going up almost 9.7%, or about $18 a month, which will eat up part of next year’s annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. In addition, the deductible for a hospital admission under Medicare Part […]

Friday, November 14, 2025

By Public News Service Friday, November 14, 2025

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Get rid of leftover paint on America Recycles Day

Suzanne Potter, producer/reporter, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service. This Saturday is “America Recycles Day” and the nonprofit PaintCare is making it free and easy to get rid of the leftover paint in your garage or shed. According to the Product Stewardship Institute, 10% of the U.S. house paint purchased each year, about 80 million gallons, goes unused. […]

Monday, November 10, 2025

By Fronnie Lewis Monday, November 10, 2025

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Chipotle Mexican Grill settles lawsuit over gift cards

Chipotle Mexican Grill has agreed to pay $246,000 to settle a consumer protection lawsuit. The national chain has over 500 restaurants in California, including two in Burbank. The suit alleges the popular eatery did not allow consumers to cash out Chipotle gift cards with a balance of less than $10. Investigators from the Los Angeles Department of Consumer and Business […]

Saturday, September 27, 2025

By Fronnie Lewis Saturday, September 27, 2025

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Amazon slapped with a historic $2.5 billion settlement which includes paybacks to consumers

The Federal Trade Commission has reached a historic $2.5 billion settlement with Amazon. The FTC claims Amazon tricked millions of customers into signing up for Prime subscription services. “The evidence showed that Amazon used sophisticated subscription traps designed to manipulate consumers into enrolling in Prime, and then made it exceedingly hard for consumers to end their subscription,” according to FTC […]

Friday, September 12, 2025

By Public News Service Friday, September 12, 2025

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CA bill to put the brakes on auto retail scams headed to the desk of Governor Newsom

Suzanne Potter, producer/reporter, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service. You know how some car dealerships tell people one price to get them in the door, then jack it up with a bunch of add-ons? It would become illegal under a bill being considered in California. The Combating Auto Retail Scams Act has been approved by the legislature […]

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

By Public News Service Wednesday, June 4, 2025

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Watch out for Medicare scams

Suzanne Potter, producer/reporter, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service. Medicare loses $60 billion to $80 billion a year to fraud, and this year, for Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, your local Senior Medicare Patrol has good advice on how to spot a con. There are plenty of scams to be aware of. Karen Joy Fletcher, communications director with […]

Sunday, May 25, 2025

By Public News Service Sunday, May 25, 2025

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More consumers are buying electric vehicles, especially in California

Terri Dee, producer/reporter, Indiana News Service, a bureau of Public News Service. Supporters of electric vehicle ownership say there are several advantages to owning one. Studies show EVs can convert 85% to 90% of their energy into forward movement. Most of the electricity used in an EV vehicle is American-made, and an EV can be charged at […]

Saturday, May 24, 2025

By Public News Service Saturday, May 24, 2025

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Water safety should be a top priority during the Memorial Day holiday weekend

Joe Ulery, producer/reporter, Indiana News Service, a bureau of Public News Service. As Memorial Day kicks off summer across the country, Americans will flock to lakes, rivers, and pools, and safety should be on everyone’s mind. William Ramos, associate professor in the School of Public Health at Indiana University in Bloomington, said water safety depends on layers of protection, […]

Thursday, May 22, 2025

By Fronnie Lewis Thursday, May 22, 2025

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Medical debt relief coming for thousands of Los Angeles County residents

More than 134,000 Los Angeles County residents with heavy medical debt will receive a special notice in the mail this week. The notice declares the recipient’s medical debt has been erased or retired. This is the first wave of a new program. Last December, the county joined forces with the national non-profit Undue Medical Debt to launch the medical […]