Banning water beads would prevent more fatal injuries
Marketed towards kids, water beads are small colorful toys that grow in water. But they can cause serious harm to small children and even fatal injuries.
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, publicizes issues through the media, produces consumer guides, and sends out consumer alerts so we all have the tools to make smart, safe, informed choices.
The Latest on Consumer alerts
Statement: CFPB proposes to ban Navient from servicing many federal student loans
Should I buy an ambulance subscription service?
Updates
CFPB spotlights a move away from free cash-back services
FTC orders Mastercard to answer questions about its data collection & monetization practices
Scammers impersonate Best Buy, Amazon, PayPal most
Featured Resources
Scam charities: How to tell whether you’re donating to a good cause
Scams to watch out for: Robocalls, emails, fake concert tickets, imposter phone numbers and more
Your ChatGPT privacy questions answered
Detecting a scam: How to avoid fraudulent phone numbers, emails and more
Did You Know?
In times of emergency, our researchers have found price surges of up to 166% for critical supplies like bottled water.
What We're Doing
Our guide provides tips for avoiding price-gouging and a how-to for reporting bad actors.
I think your organization has done a great job selecting issues where the public interest needs an advocate.Clare Feinson, Member
Why I support PIRG
The Latest
Type
NEW TIP GUIDE FOR PARENTS, STUDENTS: How to save money on textbooks this new school year
For the fall term, the Student PIRGs and U.S. PIRG Education Fund have released a new back to school guide to help navigate the textbook marketplace.
NEW LIST: On CFPB’s birthday, the agency’s top actions so far in 2024 to protect consumers
In honor of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) 13th birthday on Sunday, July 21, U.S. PIRG is releasing a list of the strongest actions that the federal agency took in the first half of 2024 (plus a new one just this week) to protect U.S. consumers.
The CFPB’s top 10 actions to protect consumers in 2024 (so far)
In honor of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) 13th birthday, we are highlighting top 10 actions the federal agency took in the first half of 2024 to protect U.S. consumers.
Frontier, Spirit, JetBlue rank worst in 2023 as airline complaints hit new record
Alaska, Southwest, Delta rank best; cancellations dropped in 2023 but delays increased
RELEASE: New protections for airline passengers: Which ones begin when?
Guide details policies, start dates re: delays, refunds, vouchers, baggage, family seating, rights for people with disabilities, etc.
Team
Murray
Teresa
Murray
Consumer Watchdog, PIRG
Mierzwinski
Ed
Mierzwinski
Senior Director, Federal Consumer Program, PIRG
Litt
Mike
Litt
Director, Consumer Campaign, PIRG
