Consumer Protection

OSPIRG’s consumer program works to alert the public to hidden dangers and scams and to ban anti-consumer practices and unsafe products. If you have a question or concern on a consumer issue, see OSPIRG's consumer resources below, or ask your question directly. We'll get back to you with an answer.

RESOURCES FOR CONSUMERS

TROUBLE IN TOYLAND

For 27 years, OSPIRG’s "Trouble In Toyland" report has surveyed store shelves and identified choking hazards, noise hazards and other dangers. Our report has led to at least 150 recalls and other regulatory actions over the years.

Get our tips for buying safer toys.

BIGGER BANKS, BIGGER FEES
In April, OSPIRG released a report in which we surveyed more than 350 bank branches and revealed that fewer than half of branches obeyed their legal duty to fully disclose fees to prospective customers, while one in four provided no fee information at all. We also found that despite widespread stories about the “death” of free checking, free and low-cost checking choices are still widely available, if consumers shop around.

Find out how to beat high bank fees.

RENTERS RIGHTS
In the United States, you can protect your legal rights only if you know what those rights are. Renting is a two-way street. Renters and landlords may unknowingly jeopardize their rights by not fulfilling their legal responsibilities.

Know your rights

SEE ALL CONSUMER RESOURCES

Issue updates

Blog Post | Consumer Protection, Health Care

Latest Regence Health Insurance Rate Hike | Laura Etherton

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon is proposing to raise rates an average of 22% on 60,000 Oregonians. This is the fifth straight year of double-digit rate hikes. But this year, something interesting is happening.

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Consumer Protection, Health Care

The Oregonian and health care costs | David Rosenfeld

If you haven't seen the Oregonian's editorial on the Senate's health insurance exchange bill, it's worth a read. Unfortunately, the Oregon Senate decided to prohibit the exchange from negotiating with insurance companies to get consumers a better deal (which I'm sure insurers are happy about.)

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Consumer Protection, Health Care

Holding health insurers accountable for costs | David Rosenfeld

What if health insurance companies had to stand before the public and clearly justify their rate hikes?

> Keep Reading
Blog Post | Consumer Protection, Health Care

For Health Net Customers | David Rosenfeld

If you are a Health Net customer, you may have received a notice in the mail this week. If you did, we urge you to open it.

> Keep Reading

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TOY SAFETY TIPS ON-THE-GO

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

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