Under the Trump Administration, federal offices and programs that insure equal treatment are being shuttered and scaled back.

Many #California consumers are struggling to afford to buy a car. Republican Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones apparently is blissfully unaware. @davidlaz.bsky.social @erinwitte-cfa.bsky.social @consumerfed.bsky.social @chuckbell.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_0V...

“The CARS Act will protect millions of Californians from costly auto sales scams and make the car-buying experience easier and more transparent,” said John Van Alst at NCLC. “We applaud the work of Senator Allen and the California Legislature." #ProtectConsumers www.nclc.org/california-l...

⚠️ #Recall Alert: Jeep is recalling nearly 92,000 Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) from the 2022 through 2026 model years to fix a software error that could cause the SUVs to lose power while driving.

On toddler towers: “There’s kids who have fallen out the back of these and landed on their side, hurt their ribs,” said Gabe Knight, a senior policy analyst for Consumer Reports. (via @wtopnews.bsky.social)

#Recall: Ford and Lincoln are recalling 1,456,417 cars, trucks, and SUVs to fix a backup camera that may show a blank, distorted, or upside-down image. Here's what you need to know:

⚠️ #Recall Alert: Nearly 95,000 electric cars are being recalled because their defrosters and defoggers may not work, which could make it difficult to see out the windshield while driving.

CR's Leah Fischman Hunter and Ginny Fahs joined the Innovation Storytellers Show to talk about Consumer Reports’ fight for digital consumer rights in an online world filled with AI hype, dark patterns, and data brokers. Listen now: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

You're invited! Next Wednesday, 9/17 at Yonkers Brewing Company, join us for a CR Member Happy Hour to get the scoop on upcoming projects, and share your ideas for a better, fairer, and safer marketplace 🥂 Reserve below:

The CFPB and FTC were both in the process of rulemaking on this issue before the administration change. See e.g. www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/new...

#California new & used car buyers are close to having new rights and protections under #SB766, championed by @benallenca.bsky.social. BRAVO @erinwitte-cfa.bsky.social @chuckbell.bsky.social & all supporters! We're all hoping @governor.ca.gov will sign the bill, making cars more affordable in CA.

Consumer advocates warn: Some personal finance influencers are undermining trust in the CFPB, giving bad advice & targeting the Black community and fraud victims already struggling. Learn more here:

Social media stars are peddling misinformation and dubious financial advice, and undercutting the federal government's consumer complaint database #paymentfraud www.consumerreports.org/money/scams-...

Black unemployment is rising. Civil rights are under attack. How do we achieve the economic demands of 1963, today? Leading experts weigh in on Aug 27 at 1pm ET. #TheMarchContinues #mow62  https://bit.ly/MOW62

"There have been some challenges in integrating 'buy now, pay later' loans into the traditional credit reporting framework," CR's financial policy advocate @chuckbell.bsky.social said. "These are often short-term loans, and that creates some problems." (via @cbsnews.com.web.brid.gy)

In this video, New Economy Project’s Elena Rodriguez explains how "sewer service" is used by predatory debt collectors—and how to fight back. (Bonus: a cameo by NEP's Tousif Ahsan as a particularly dodgy process server.) neweconomyproject.bsky.social www.youtube.com/shorts/P5hiJ...

The very clear message is that the BLS head will be fired if they do not produce numbers that meet Trump's approval. In related news, these are the last set of BLS job numbers we can assume have not been doctored.

Very much agree with Justin, further thoughts here: www.epi.org/press/trumps...

Last month, I was worried about signs of growing black joblessness. This month provides more reason to worry: Black unemployment up from 6.8% to 7.2%. Employment-population ratio drops from 57.7 to 57.2. @ceprdc.bsky.social @jointcenter.bsky.social cepr.net/publications...

“Slashing the CFPB’s budget nearly in half will severely compromise its ability to stand up for consumers and take on big banks and unscrupulous financial firms,” said @chuckbell.bsky.social, advocacy program director at CR. (via Nerd Wallet)

Apparently it does take a weatherman to know which way the wind blows and where the flood waters may rise. Restore funding for NOAA. Good for everyone! Jack up taxes on Mr Big to pay his fair share youtu.be/MGxjIBEZvx0?...

"Consumers will be more likely to fall victim to shady financial industry practices, hidden fees, and other scams because of this devastating budget cut," said Chuck Bell, advocacy programs director of @consumerreports.org in a statement. www.axios.com/2025/07/02/b...

NEW: The just-passed Senate Republican package is much better for the rich than the poor. Any gains from lower taxes may be wiped out from the loss of Medicaid, food stamps and more. Some Republicans looked to exempt their own states from the cuts. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/b...

[1] “Slashing the CFPB’s funding in half would severely hinder its ability to root out discrimination and predatory financial practices that put consumers at risk of fraud and abuse,” said Chuck Bell, advocacy program director of @consumerreports.org advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_releas...

CPSC is the federal body whose sole mission is to reduce the estimated 49,000 deaths and 28 million medically treated injuries from using consumer products; these losses cost the country $1 trillion annually. productsafetyletter.com/Free/9850.aspx

“Congressional opponents of the CFPB have been gunning for the Bureau ever since it was established to root out discrimination & abusive financial industry practices that cheat working families out of their hard-earned money,” said Chuck Bell of CR. advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_releas...

“This move compromises the ability of the federal government to apply data-driven product safety rules [at the CPSC] to protect Americans nationwide, away from political influence,” wrote Senators Blumenthal, Cantwell & Klobuchar. www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index...

Unlawful removal of Consumer Product Safety Commission leaders demolishes agency’s role as independent, bipartisan, data-driven safety watchdog. Consumers will be at greater risk from unsafe products if the move is not reversed advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_releas...

The Trump admin is eyeing a plan to eliminate the Consumer Product Safety Commission. That’s not reform — it’s a direct threat to public safety. 159 orgs are pushing back hard. Read the press release and letter here: nclnet.org/159-advocate...

Take action to keep medical debt off our credit reports! When the CFPB’s rule banning medical debt from credit reports was under threat, we stood up and defended the rule. Now, the rule is under threat for a second time. Sign our petition:

"RAO, Circuit Judge, dissenting."

Here's the key part of the complex order, which, in short, puts paragraph three of the district court injunction back in full effect: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... And, second, paragraph 3 from this injunction from Judge Amy Berman Jackson: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

BREAKING: The D.C. Circuit, on a 2-1 vote, bars the CFPB from terminations pending appellate review of a district court injunction. Judge Pillard (Obama) and Katsas (Trump) take the action over the disset of Judge Rao (Trump).

Working on a new Substack post about how universities can defeat Trump. This will be a datapoint.

Quick story on this, no DOJ comment yet but it has appeared to have shut down the Consumer Protection Branch, which prosecutes cases involving tobacco marketing, fraud against seniors and servicemembers, and entities involved in the opioid crisis. prospect.org/justice/2025...

The @newyorkstateag.bsky.social sued fintech payday lenders DailyPay and MoneyLion for violating the state’s usury rate laws, revealing the danger of pending state laws carving “earned wage” advances out of state interest rate caps. www.nclc.org/ny-ag-lawsui...

For the first time, the advisory committee for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that people favor plant protein over animal sources.

While heat pumps are one of the least reliable products we have ratings for, eight brands in our latest list were rated exceptional.

Grace Gedye, a policy analyst at CR, also testified in support of a bill that would prohibit the use of data like fingerprints and retina scans in grocery store pricing.

Matt Schwartz, a policy analyst at CR, testified in Boston yesterday on a bill (H.78) based on CR and @epic.org's Model Privacy Bill. advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_releas...

Give our interview a listen for how financiers have come to dominate university boards and its implications for the current crisis!

By a narrow majority, Congress egregiously failed to reign in overdraft #junkfees. 23 million consumers pay an average of $225 a year for excessive overdraft fees, for a total #MegabankGrift of $5 billion year. We urge President Trump to veto this terrible bill. abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...

“…Most Americans in a 401(k) do not have a 60/40 account. By saying so, Mr. Bessent understates the risk in people’s portfolios [and] the fear they feel…” #RetirementSecurity www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/y... via @NYTimes

This Saturday we’re meeting at noon at Seattle Center (and across the country!) Lets make it a big one!

Proud to announce a new round of endorsements on CR's and @epic.org, Model State Privacy Act.

Tens of millions of Americans have not only been assessed overdraft fees but also lost their checking account because of them. Congress should reject 'High Bank Fees Forever Act' #FinancialFairness www.bakersfield.com/opinion/comm...

❗ This week, your Congressmember will vote on whether to stand up for your rights – saving you money & protecting you from scams – or whether to stand with the Big Banks & Big Tech who don’t want to be held accountable. Send a message to your Representative now, urging them to support the CFPB!

“Today’s ruling is an undeniable win-win for working people,” said CFPB Union President Cat Farman. "The Trump administration’s illegal efforts to dismantle the CFPB benefit corporate bad actors and wealthy special interests at the expense of everyday Americans." nteu335.org/2025/03/28/c...

Cutting the consumer watchdog keeps billions from Americans Excellent commentary by the new president & CEO of @consumerreports.org, @philradford.bsky.social 👏👍 via @salonnewsroom.bsky.social www.salon.com/2025/03/23/c... #CFPB