Smart Money, Smart Kids: Tips for teaching financial literacy and privacy protection to kids of all ages
There are lessons for pre-schoolers, pre-teens, high schoolers and certainly, young adults going off to college or moving out.
Consumer alerts
Get the information, tools and resources it takes to protect yourself in today’s ever-changing marketplace.
These days we all need to be smart consumers. We need access to the information and resources it takes to avoid the latest scams, stop identity thieves, spot rip offs and keep unsafe food and toxic products out of our shopping carts. PIRG’s consumer watchdog team does the research, conducts media exposes, produces consumer guides, and sends out consumer alerts so we have the tools to make smart, safe, informed choices.
The Latest on Consumer alerts
18 tips to reduce robocalls and protect yourself from scams
Ringing in Our Fears
Updates
Coalition calls on REI to remove PFAS from their clothing and gear
Induction cooktops get high marks for efficiency, performance and safety
MASSPIRG talks with Boston 25 News on tips to lower home heating bills
Featured Resources
Ringing in our Fears
Food for thought: Are your groceries safe?
Getting off the Hook of a Predatory Tow Part II
Towing Kickbacks: Only one-third of states ban incentives to property owners, law enforcement
Did You Know?
In times of emergency, our researchers have found price surges of up to 166% for critical supplies like face masks and bottled water.
What We're Doing
Our guide provides tips for avoiding price-gouging and a how-to for reporting bad actors.
The Latest
Type
New warning for residents on transitional assistance
Report: One year after new federal law implemented, robocalls fall, robotexts skyrocket
A year after a new federal law aimed at fighting robocalls, the number of phone companies that have adopted the required technology has quadrupled and the volume of scam robocalls has dropped in half. But spam texts have increased more than tenfold as con artists and identity thieves find alternative ways to steal Americans’ personal information and money.
Advocacy groups, 48,000 petitioners demand Columbia Sportswear stop using toxic PFAS chemicals in clothing
U.S. PIRG Education Fund and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) hosted a media conference outside Columbia Sportswear’s flagship store in downtown Portland on Thursday to deliver a petition, with more than 48,000 signatures, urging the clothing manufacturer and retailer to phase out the use of PFAS chemicals in their products.
Statement: Flyers embarking on holiday travel should know their rights
As travelers try to navigate air travel this holiday weekend and in the weeks ahead, they should know their rights to a refund under federal law, and understand airlines’ policies on credits and vouchers, which flyers don’t have to accept when the airline cancels the flight.
Release: New policy in effect erasing paid medical debt from credit reports
Consumer tips on how to check your credit report accuracy
Team
Murray
Teresa
Murray
Consumer Watchdog, PIRG
Mierzwinski
Ed
Mierzwinski
Senior Director, Federal Consumer Program, PIRG
Melgar
Danielle
Melgar
Food & Agriculture, Advocate, PIRG