Consumer Protection

Toy Safety Tips

From toxic chemicals to choking hazards to dangerous magnets, see what dangerous toys to watch out for while you shop.

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The 2012 Trouble in Toyland report is the 27th annual U.S. Public Interest Research Group survey of toy safety. In this report, U.S. PIRG provides safety guidelines for consumers when purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys currently on store shelves that may pose potential safety hazards.

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Media Hit | Consumer Protection

New Account Fraud

The California Public Interest Research Group has released a new report on identity theft that should raise some eyebrows. Pulling together statistics from the High Technology Theft Apprehension and Prosecution program, the Federal Trade Commission, Javelin Strategy and Research, and other credible sources, CALPIRG paints an increasingly bleak picture concerning financial identity theft. Of greatest interest to your Guide was the information on new account fraud.

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Media Hit | Consumer Protection

Financial loss from identity theft increasing, report says

Fewer people were victims of identity theft last year than in 2010, but each person lost substantially more money, according to a new report by the California Public Interest Research Group.

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Media Hit | Consumer Protection

Californians Facing New Identity Theft Threats Study Says

California has the highest number of identity theft complaints in the nation, and the average cost to victims is skyrocketing.

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Report | Consumer Protection, Higher Ed, Student Debt

The Campus Debit Card Trap

Banks and other financial firms are taking advantage of a variety of opportunities to form partnerships with colleges and universities to produce campus student ID cards and to offer student aid disbursements on debit or prepaid cards. In addition to on-campus services, such as student ID functions offered on the card, some cards offer traditional debit card services linked to bank accounts; other cards provide additional reloadable prepaid card functions. The disbursement of financial aid and university refunds is the most significant partnership identified.

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Media Hit | Consumer Protection

Political Blotter: Santorum in Alamo; Citizens United in the cross hairs

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum will visit the East Bay for a fundraising event next Thursday evening

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Resource | Consumer Protection

FAILbook

Facebook makes it pretty tough for you to control who gets to see your personal information. This guide will walk you through, step by step, how to adjust your settings to control who can see your information on Facebook.

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Resource | Consumer Protection

CALPIRG: Apartment Hunting Guide

Finding a new apartment can be a daunting experience. There are a ton of choices, lease terms can be confusing and just about everyone knows someone who had a bad experience with an apartment or landlord. This guide is designed to provide some simple tips for prospective student renters to help you avoid getting ripped off by a bad landlord or experiencing unforeseen problems with renting.

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Media Hit | Consumer Protection, Higher Ed, Textbooks

Groups target textbook prices to rein in college costs

A push to create free or inexpensive textbooks is gaining momentum as educators, philanthropists and policymakers nationwide search for new ways to rein in college costs.

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Hunger and Homelessness

The Hunger and Homelessness Campaign makes meals at the Ocean Park Community Center with food they gathered at a donation drive earlier in the week.
CALPIRG interns after making meals at the Ocean Park Community Center.
This Halloween, the Hunger and Homelessness Campaign collected over 150 canned food items for local food banks during their Trick-Or-Can event.
UC Davis students kick off a TEXT-2-GIVE table for Somalia Famine Relief on the quad – our efforts statewide raised thousands of dollars for famine relief.
he Improv Group at UCR came to our Open Mic Night to fundraise for the famine in Somalia.
The UC Davis Hunger and Homelessness campaign raised hundreds of dollars for famine relief in Somalia.
Hunger and Homelessness intern Roua Aboukhadijeh collecting interview footage on campus for a short film on poverty.
Volunteers make props for upcoming hunger and homelessness events.
The Hunger and Homelessness campaign tabling at the Davis Farmer's Market for the Davis Empowerment Project to help reintegrate the homeless back into the workforce.
CALPIRG volunteers handing out homemade lunches to those in need.