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Posts Tagged With ‘ Government ’

 
How to get fair insurance treatment after Hurricane Idalia
September 13th, 2023

With climate change creating more storms and natural disasters, insurance companies are facing unprecedented claims. They’re reacting with raising prices and refusing to offer coverage in some areas of high storm activities. Policyholders are entitled to receive their claims payments under the terms of their insurance policies, and insurers shouldn’t delay or mistreat consumers. Many victims of Hurricane Idalia will be underinsured and uninsured for flood damage. There will be big fights over whether the damage was caused by wind, covered in a home policy, versus flooding, excluded in... Continue Reading

September 13th, 2023
Electrolux Group recalls Frigidaire gas cooktops due to the risk of gas leaks and fire
September 10th, 2023

It’s always important to watch out for fire hazards. I picked out this recent recall to write about this week because of it. I’ll write about an even bigger recall, glass door knobs, next week. Electrolux Group is recalling about 77,000 Frigidaire four- and five-burner gas cooktops. Plastic control knobs with a black shaft on the cooktop can crack or break during use, posing a risk of a gas leak and fire hazard. Electrolux has received 63 reports of these control knobs defects that included one minor injury from a gas leak and one report of fire. This recall involves all Frigidaire stainless-steel... Continue Reading

September 10th, 2023
California legislature passes bill that will ban 26 chemicals in cosmetics linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and birth defects
September 9th, 2023

A bill banning the sale of cosmetic products that contain 26 toxic chemicals known to affect human health passed the California State Legislature Wednesday. Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign it. The law would ban hazardous substances such as some borate compounds, lily aldehyde, cyclotetrasiloxane, trichloroacetic acid, styrene, and certain colors. “Personal care products and cosmetics should be non-toxic for everyone,” said Assemblymember Laura Friedman, author of the legislation. “If you consider that the European Union prohibits almost 2,500 chemicals in such products, a ban in California... Continue Reading

September 9th, 2023
Google agrees to a preliminary settlement of anticompetitive charges with states on its Play Store
September 7th, 2023

Google has reached a tentative settlement with the attorneys general from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico on one of three major antitrust lawsuits against the company for its anticompetitive conduct in the Google Play Store. In July 2021, 37 attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Google alleging that the company used its monopoly power in the Android app market to inflate prices for paid apps and in-app purchases. “No company is too big to play by the rules, including Google,” the attorneys general who led the lawsuit, from the states of New York, California, North... Continue Reading

September 7th, 2023
Best wishes on Labor Day
September 4th, 2023

Whether you’re celebrating at a picnic, barbecue, rally, football game, or work, happy Labor Day. Sunday I went to our local Olympia Harbor Days celebration that’s always scheduled for Labor Day weekend. It was cloudy, so my photos aren’t as good as the years where there’s nice blue sky. Thankfully, we had only a sprinkle of rain. I wore my raincoat, but didn’t have my rain hood or umbrella. On Labor Day, I’m thankful for unions and their history of helping working people. I benefited from union membership when I worked for state government. I’m glad these days more young people... Continue Reading

September 4th, 2023
What to do when your home owners insurance is canceled or jumps in cost
August 30th, 2023

Big storms across the country brought on by climate change are causing havoc. You may have received a notice from your insurer dropping your home insurance policy. Or, unexpected surges in the cost of your coverage can put a strain on your budget especially in these days of inflation. This is stressful as not having the right amount and type of insurance can make your home more difficult to sell. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers the following suggestions for homeowners facing new decisions about insurance, often with limited time to consider complicated options. Choosing insurance Your... Continue Reading

August 30th, 2023
Roomster settles with FTC and six states for $1.6 million for tricking renters with fake reviews and unverified listings
August 29th, 2023

When searching for a place to live and roommates, it’s important to get accurate information. And reviews from platforms that can help you in your search need to be honest and trustworthy. But according to the Federal Trade Commission and six states suing Roomster and its owners, the room and roommate finder platform posted reviews and other information that wasn’t accurate. The lawsuit A lawsuit filed in 2022 alleges Roomster posted fake positive reviews and made deceptive claims about its listings being real, available, and verified – to convince people to use its platform. The FTC and... Continue Reading

August 29th, 2023
DOT fines American Airlines a record $4.1 million for tarmac delays
August 29th, 2023

Do you know your rights on tarmac delays? American Airlines will pay $4.1 million for violating federal laws prohibiting tarmac delays of three hours or more on domestic flights without providing passengers an opportunity to deplane, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Monday. DOT’s investigation found that American kept dozens of flights stuck on the tarmac for long periods of time. It’s the largest fine ever issued for tarmac delays. “This is the latest action in our continued drive to enforce the rights of airline passengers,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said... Continue Reading

August 29th, 2023
A Ubio Labs power bank that caught fire on an airplane is recalled by Costco
August 28th, 2023

Remember to check recalls frequently so you can find out about harmful products like this one. Costco is recalling about 350,000 Ubio Labs power banks. It has received three reports of fires, including one on a commercial flight resulting in four reports of smoke inhalation and one report of a minor burn to passengers. This recall involves Ubio Labs power banks, sold in a one- or two-pack. The power banks are black and have the model number PWB1071 printed on the back, and the Costco item number is printed on the package. The item number for the one-pack is 1314518 and the two-pack is 1265470. The... Continue Reading

August 28th, 2023
Consumers don’t understand arbitration clauses in agreements and contracts that limit their right to go to court when they have a dispute, study shows
August 23rd, 2023

Most Americans don’t know how often they’re stripped of their rights through widely used forced arbitration clauses that are found in the fine print of everyday click-through agreements, terms and conditions, and other contracts, according to a new study. Arbitration clauses require consumers who have complaints to settle issues through arbitration rather than filing a lawsuit. “Consumers shouldn’t be silenced by big corporations that harm them,” said Shennan Kavanagh, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, an organization that specializes in consumer issues on behalf... Continue Reading

August 23rd, 2023