consumer alert Archives - Media City Groove

Saturday, September 27, 2025

By Fronnie Lewis Saturday, September 27, 2025

Categories

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

Categories

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

Categories

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

Categories

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

Categories

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

Categories

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 […]

Sunday, May 18, 2025

By Public News Service Sunday, May 18, 2025

Categories

Passenger complaints about US airlines soar

Alex Gonzalez, producer and reporter, Arizona News Connection, a bureau of Public News Service. The relationship between US airlines and air travelers is somewhat bumpy. Last year, flyers filed approximately 67,000 complaints, a 9% increase from 2023, according to a new report from the Education Fund of the Public Interest Research Group. The top grievances were cancellations […]

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

By Public News Service Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Categories

IRS Direct File can save taxpayers time and money

Kathryn Carley, producer/reporter, Keystone State News Connection, a bureau of Public News Service. Across the country, from California to Pennsylvania, a growing number of states are offering residents access to the Internal Revenue Service’s free tax filing system, Direct File. The online tool was created to save people time and money. It allows taxpayers to file directly […]

Thursday, March 20, 2025

By Public News Service Thursday, March 20, 2025

Categories

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cuts put Americans at risk

Eric Galatas, producer/reporter, Colorado News Connection, a bureau of Public News Service. Americans with low bank balances would be on the hook for an extra $225 a year if Congress voted to roll back a new rule that would cap overdraft fees to $5. Some of these fees had been as high as $35. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, […]