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

News Release | OSPIRG | Food

What do Obama and Glenn Beck agree on?

A consumer protection group released a new video today juxtaposing President Obama and conservative TV show host Glenn Beck on agricultural subsidies.

> Keep Reading
News Release | OSPIRG | Consumer Protection

Consumer Bureau on Track for Launch

Six months after Wall Street reform legislation creating the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was signed, a leading coalition released Halfway to the CFPB: An AFR Progress Report on “Standing Up” the New Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

> Keep Reading
News Release | OSPIRG | Consumer Protection

Oregon Regulators Data Breach

The Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) has opened a file on the Health Net data breach impacting 120,000 Oregonians, and is gathering information from the insurer on the matter.

> Keep Reading
News Release | OSPIRG | Consumer Protection

Banks Failing at Disclosing Account Fees

 A survey of more than 350 bank branches released today by the Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group 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. The report, Big Banks, Bigger Fees: A National Survey of Bank Fees (http://www.ospirgstudents.org/report/big-banks-bigger-fees), includes consumer tips and a local comparison shopping guide.

 

 

 

 

> Keep Reading

Trouble in Toyland

The 2011 Trouble in Toyland report is our 26th annual survey of toy safety. In this report, we provide safety guidelines for consumers when purchasing toys for young children and provide examples of toys currently on store shelves that may pose potential safety hazards.

> Keep Reading

Pages

Q&A: WTF is up with Overdraft Changes?

I haven't been keeping a close eye on the national debate about reforming banks' outrageous overdraft fees, so when a letter arrived from my credit union this month saying something about the overdraft laws changing, my main response was... what? I

> Keep Reading

Wall Street reforms a step in the right direction

On Wednesday, July 21, President Obama signed The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which contains the most comprehensive reforms to the American financial system since the Great Depression.

> Keep Reading

The End of Free Checking

Bank of America recently announced that it plans to add fees to checking accounts, which some say is the beginning of the end for 'free checking' in the U.S.

 

> Keep Reading

Loan labyrinth: Mortgage modifications not so easy

The federal government's plan to rescue our housing market has been moving like molasses.

> Keep Reading

Loan Shark Hunting

HOMEOWNERS AROUND OREGON who fall into foreclosure because of fine print and lost paperwork may be the victims of fraud. But misleading lenders can't be prosecuted because a loophole in Oregon law exempts mortgage banks from the state's Unlawful Trade Practices Act.

> Keep Reading

Pages

View AllRSS Feed

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.

Support Us

Your donation supports OSPIRG’s work to stand up for consumers on the issues that matter, especially when powerful interests are blocking progress.

Consumer Alerts

Join our network and stay up to date on our campaigns, get important consumer updates, and take action on critical issues.