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Social Issues  |  Consumer Issues    News
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‘SHRED FESTS’ AIMED AT HELPING ARKANSANS AVOID IDENTITY THEFT


WATCHDOGS: NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS IN MN NOT GETTING FAIR SHAKE


CONSUMER GROUP PRESSES FOR BETTER PROTECTIONS FOR USED CAR BUYERS


50 YEARS AFTER HURRICANE AGNES, PA OFFICIALS URGE BUYING FLOOD INSURANCE

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It's time to round up and shred documents such as old tax forms and bank
statements, or anything that could be used by a thief to steal your identity.
(GettyImages)
Utilities such as CenterPoint Energy have sought to maintain customer surcharges
for as long as 63 months to cover the higher cost of natural gas in February
2021. (Adobe Stock)
Takata airbags, which are now under recall, have been blamed for fatalities in
otherwise survivable accidents. (Mohsan Dabiri-e Vaziri/Wikimedia Commons)
From 2006 to 2015, more than 17,000 Pennsylvanians filed flood claims with
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, for more than $550 million in damages.
(Adobe Stock)
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Wednesday, April 11, 2018   

Monday, July 11, 2022   

Monday, July 11, 2022   

Tuesday, July 5, 2022   

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The income-tax filing deadline is next week, and experts
warn it's prime time for thieves looking to steal your identity.

According to the AARP Fraud Watch Network, someone's identity is stolen every
two seconds and can be used to access bank accounts and credit cards or open
bogus credit accounts. Lou Tobian, associate state director of outreach and
education for AARP Arkansas, said shredding old tax records, bank and credit
statements and other documents with identifying information is the best way to
keep them out of the wrong hands.

"One of the key ways that identities are stolen is through our documents that
we've piled up and haven't disposed of properly," he said. "We feel that safe
document disposal is an integral part of protecting yourself from fraud and
scams."

AARP Arkansas is planning free Shred Fests in May in Little Rock and Springdale,
where people can bring old tax documents and other files and have them disposed
of properly. Experts have recommended keeping income-tax documents for at least
three years after you file, and Tobian said it's best to dispose of any
paperwork older than that.

Tobian said the Shred Fests are open to everyone, not just AARP members,
although he noted that older Americans are more likely to be targets for scams
and identity theft. In terms of what to shred, he suggested any documents with a
name, address, phone number, Social Security number or other identifying
information.

"We're going to have an independent shredding company," he said. "They'll bring
a shredding truck to each of the two Shred Fest sites, and they'll be able to
shred documents on site."

The Shred Fests will be from 9 a.m. to noon May 5 at War Memorial Stadium in
Little Rock and from 9 a.m. to noon May 19 at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.
AARP said they are only for individuals, not businesses, and there is a limit of
three bags or small boxes per vehicle. Information about the events is online at
states.aarp.org.

The AARP Fraud Watch website is AARP.org/fraud.


get more stories like this via email


In the near future, Minnesota regulators will decide whether companies such as
CenterPoint Energy can keep customer surcharges in place related to a 2021
winter storm. Watchdogs worry utilities are leaning too much on ratepayers for
higher natural-gas prices.

In February of 2021, Winter Storm Uri sent prices soaring, and utilities serving
Minnesota incurred significant costs as a result. But the Citizens Utility Board
of Minnesota contends CenterPoint still made more than $1 billion in profits
last year.

CUB's Senior Regulatory Advocate Brian Edstrom noted that the company benefited
financially from a merger involving one of its affiliates, creating a tale of
two economies.

"CenterPoint's shareholders did well," said Edstrom. "And their ratepayers did
not do well."

He said there's nothing to suggest price gouging is happening. But CUB says as
some customers fall behind on payments, state regulators should force the
utilities to pick up at least some of the tab.

The company argues it did not receive windfall profits from the affiliate deal.
And two administrative law judges have sided with the utilities, ahead of a
final decision on the bill surcharge question.

Karlee Weinmann - research and communications manager for the Energy and Policy
Institute - said while these companies did encounter sizable price costs, state
findings show they didn't do enough to prepare for the situation.

She said it's worth noting CenterPoint's CEO took home $38 million in
compensation last year.

"What we're seeing," said Weinmann, "is a real mismatch in what the experience
is for the utility and its executives, and the customers it's supposed to
serve."

She said she feels the pending outcome of the regulatory review is something the
public should be watching closely.

"Especially at a time when we're seeing a lot of struggles among households,
among business owners," said Weinmann. "This is just a pivitol place to be
placing our attention."

Customers also are encouraged to offer feedback to the Public Utilities
Commission before it makes its decision.





References:  
Centerpoint Energy earnings report reveals $1.3 billion gain from deal with
Texas company that benefited from 2021 gas price spike the Citizens Utility
Board of Minnesota 6/1/22
Minnesota gas utilities criticized for making Uri crisis worse on customers the
Energy and Policy Institute 6/13/22


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Consumer advocates are out to stop cars with unrepaired recall defects from
winding up with new owners.

Federal law bans car dealers from selling unrepaired new cars and rental
agencies from selling or renting them. Now consumer activists want the feds to
forbid car dealers to sell at retail used cars with unrepaired safety recall
defects.

The Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act would allow the feds to fine dealers that
sell unrepaired recalled used cars, even if no one has suffered damages or been
harmed.

Rosemary Shahan, president of the California based nonprofit Consumers for Auto
Reliability and Safety, said these cars are ticking time bombs.

"In the case of the Takata airbags, they've killed dozens of people and injured
hundreds more," said Shahan. "And as time goes on, and the vehicles get older,
they're much more prone to having this problem."

Shahan singled out CarMax, the largest retailer of used vehicles in the nation,
because they sell cars with unrepaired recalled safety defects, once they pass a
125-point safety inspection.

CarMax, in a statement, say they share "vehicle-specific open recall information
in-store and online to ensure our customers know about open recalls prior to
purchase" and say the current recall repair system requires manufacturers to pay
for repairs at their dealerships, not via independent retailers who are their
competitors.

Years ago, Shahan said, her group filed a complaint against CarMax with the
Federal Trade Commission, but the FTC ruled they can keep advertising the cars
as "safe" as long as they make the disclosure.

"It's very deceptive, especially when they're advertising that the vehicles have
passed an inspection," said Shahan. "How could it possibly pass inspection, when
it has unrepaired safety recall defects?"

Shahan encouraged all prospective car buyers to check the National Highway
Transportation Safety Administration website to find out whether the car is
under recall, and if so, walk away.

The Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act was introduced last year but has not
received a hearing or a vote.





Disclosure: Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety Foundation contributes to
our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Environmental Justice, Social
Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click
here.

References:  
S.1835 - Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act the U.S. Congress 2022
Recalls Look-up by VIN - Vehicle Identification Number the National Highway
Transportation Safety Administration 2022


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As hurricane season kicks into full gear, Pennsylvania officials are reflecting
on the impacts of Hurricane Agnes 50 years ago, and urging property owners to
consider getting flood insurance to protect their homes.

Hurricane Agnes was the costliest big storm to hit the United States at the time
in 1972. It affected much of the East Coast, but Pennsylvania was hit the
hardest, with more than 3,000 businesses and 68,000 homes destroyed.

Michael Humphreys, acting insurance commissioner for Pennsylvania, said natural
disasters create hardship and stress for property owners left to deal with the
aftermath.

"There are too many Pennsylvanians who have lost everything and didn't have
flood insurance to help them rebuild," Humphreys recounted. "Even if your
property is outside a federally designated Special Flood Hazard area, and you
are not required to buy flood insurance by your mortgage lender, you should
consider flood insurance. The risk of flooding doesn't go away just because you
paid off your mortgage."

Just last summer, Tropical Storm Ida caused severe flooding damage throughout
the Commonwealth, with cleanup costs estimated at $100 million. People looking
to purchase a home or property should do their research before buying to
determine if the area has had previous flooding.

Randy Padfield, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, said
flooding continues to be the most common natural disaster experienced in the
Commonwealth. He said over the past 28 years, 90% of flooding incidents in the
state have occurred outside the Special Flood Hazard Zone, meaning places that
have never seen flooding before.

"Please take the first step and at least inquire as to what a policy would
cost," Padfield urged. "You may be surprised to how affordable a policy is,
depending on your individual circumstances and the peace of mind it affords you
and your family."

There is more information on the National Flood Insurance Program and other
resources in the event of severe flooding on the state Insurance Department's
website. In most cases, there is a 30-day waiting period after purchase before
flood insurance policies become active.



References:  
Flood insurance information Pa. Insurance Dept. 2022


get more stories like this via email

Utilities such as CenterPoint Energy have sought to maintain customer surcharges
for as long as 63 months to cover the higher cost of natural gas in February
2021. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

WATCHDOGS: NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS IN MN NOT GETTING FAIR SHAKE

Your browser does not support audio.
Takata airbags, which are now under recall, have been blamed for fatalities in
otherwise survivable accidents. (Mohsan Dabiri-e Vaziri/Wikimedia Commons)

Social Issues

CONSUMER GROUP PRESSES FOR BETTER PROTECTIONS FOR USED CAR BUYERS

Your browser does not support audio.
From 2006 to 2015, more than 17,000 Pennsylvanians filed flood claims with
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, for more than $550 million in damages.
(Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

50 YEARS AFTER HURRICANE AGNES, PA OFFICIALS URGE BUYING FLOOD INSURANCE

Your browser does not support audio.
Apps can help people understand how certain purchases will affect their overall
budget. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

MONEY TIPS FOR YOUNG MONTANANS WHO'VE BECOME FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT

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Proponents of a consumer-owned utility say as Maine works to improve the power
grid, it is important to hold power companies in the state accountable. (Adobe
Stock)

Social Issues

CAMPAIGN GATHERS SIGNATURES TO START CONSUMER-OWNED UTILITY IN MAINE

Your browser does not support audio.
Some older adults in Connecticut may be eligible for the Weatherization
Assistance Program, which can help decrease energy-related costs and fuel usage
at home through retrofits and other improvements. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

AS UTILITY BILLS RISE, RESOURCES IN CT CAN HELP OLDER ADULTS

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The price of meat has gone up 12.3% in the last year. (Fxquadro/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

REPORT: CORPORATE CONSOLIDATION SEEN AS MAJOR DRIVER OF INFLATION

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One of the most common issues cited in using the New York City subway is the
lack of elevator and escalator access at stations for people with disabilities,
though others mistake it as an issue of convenience. (Michael Vi/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

NYC SUBWAY AIMS FOR ACCESSIBILITY FOR RIDERS WITH DISABILITIES

Your browser does not support audio.

New York City's subway system has often been a thorn in the side of the disabled
community, because only 114 of the system's 472 stations, or 24%…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Social Issues

NH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HOLDS BACKPACK DRIVE FOR STUDENTS IN NEED

Your browser does not support audio.

The New Hampshire Department of Education is collecting new backpacks for
students whose families may need some help this year getting those back-to-s…

Social Issues

NOVEMBER ELECTION TO DETERMINE STATE, LOCAL RACES IN REDRAWN NEBRASKA DISTRICTS

Your browser does not support audio.

With November's elections just over the horizon, voter-rights groups are working
to get Nebraskans up to speed on recent changes in voting districts …

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Farmworker families in Apopka benefit from a food distribution hosted by the
Farmworker Association of Florida. (Yesica Ramirez)

Social Issues

GRANTS FUND EMERGENCY SUPPORTS FOR FLORIDA FARMWORKER FAMILIES

Your browser does not support audio.

Florida farmworkers are getting some much-needed support thanks to a grant from
the Health, Environment, Agriculture, Labor Food Alliance (HEAL)…

Environment

HISTORIC DROUGHT: ADVOCATES SLAM UPPER CO BASIN STATES’ CONSERVATION PLAN

Your browser does not support audio.

Water conservation groups are speaking out against a plan from the states of New
Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah to divert less water from the …

A new national study says the average cardiovascular health score - out of a
possible 100 - was 64.7 for U.S. adults and 65.5 for children. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

NEW STUDY: MOST AMERICANS' HEARTS NOT IN GREAT SHAPE

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Good heart health is associated with avoiding a range of medical issues. But new
research shows only one in five Americans has optimal cardiovascular …

Social Issues

WA VOTING MAP LAWSUIT IN YAKIMA VALLEY WON'T AFFECT 2022 ELECTIONS

Your browser does not support audio.

A lawsuit challenging Washington state's new legislative map is underway, but it
will not affect this year's primary or midterm elections. The suit …

Social Issues

TEXAS ABORTION POLL: LAWMAKERS OUT OF STEP WITH CONSTITUENTS

Your browser does not support audio.

Texas soon will enact one of the strictest abortion bans in the country - and a
majority of voters don't like it. Three out of four - 77% of the …








 

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