Groups that fight for consumers and auto safety are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to veto a bill that they say would make it harder for Californians who allege fraud or get stuck with a "lemon" vehicle to prove their case. Senate Bill 71 raises the limit from $25,000 to $35,000 to avoid being moved to limited civil court - where the discovery process and the number of depositions are limited.
Michael Brooks, executive director, Center for Auto Safety, contends this change would put people who buy mid-range vehicles at a disadvantage.
"What they're doing is raising the limit to $35,000," he said. "And then, everyone under that bar is going to find it much more difficult to succeed when they have a defective vehicle that qualifies as a lemon."
The bill is supported by debt collectors and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents the auto industry. The Alliance, in a letter to lawmakers, said the change would, quote, "benefit consumers and the auto industry by reducing litigation costs and accelerating case timelines in lemon law cases."
Brooks said that line of argument does not hold water.
"It's being passed off as a bill that's somehow going to simplify the process for consumers, but what it actually is going to do is limit their ability to prove their case," Brooks implored.
In limited civil court, the time period for filing appeals is shortened to 30 days, and there is a cap on damages that a judge or jury can award. The bill would also raise the limit in small claims court from $10,000 to $12,500.
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Tax season is here and North Carolinians should find the relevant financial documents to ensure filing their returns is as smooth as possible.
Important documents include W2s from employers or 1099s for independent contractors. People should track deductions like property taxes, charitable donations and mortgage interest as well.
Joe Mecca, vice president of communication for Coastal Credit Union, said it is important to remember other, smaller sources of income.
"One of the things that people need to remember to get is a 1099 from your financial institution," Mecca emphasized. "You may have interest or dividend income from different types of accounts that you might have. Similarly, if you've got a brokerage account, you may receive a 1099 form from them."
Mecca noted the form is typically available online. Other important documents include those involving the sale of a home, education expenses, and state and local tax refunds. People can find resources for doing their taxes online at the IRS website. Credit union members have access to discounts for tax services from TurboTax and H-and-R Block.
Mecca recommended while people have the documents out, they can also prepare their financial future.
"This is a great time of year for people to take a look at their overall financial picture," Mecca advised. "Start planning ahead for some of the expenses that they may have in the coming year or some things that they might want to save for in terms of retirement or education."
Mecca added people might also consider working with a financial adviser. Taxes are due April 15.
Disclosure: Coastal Credit Union contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Civic Engagement, Community Issues and Volunteering, and Consumer Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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Seven members of Oregon's congressional delegation have signed a letter demanding protection for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to enable the federal agency to continue its work.
The Department of Government Efficiency closed the bureau earlier this month.
Jagjit Nagra, executive director of the group Oregon Consumer Justice, said the bureau plays a key role in protecting Oregonians from deception and overcharges by banks and other financial institutions. He argued the oversight is especially important to prevent predatory lending for large purchases like mortgages and student loans.
"When you take away that enforcement mechanism, you're basically giving Wall Street the chance to say, 'Oh, OK, now we can do more of whatever we want,'" Nagra contended.
The bureau was created in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and since then, Nagra adds, the agency has returned $21 billion to consumers. Nagra stressed without the bureau, Oregonians will have less protection against hidden fees and financial scams, among other things.
Critics of the bureau said it has lacked accountability and its regulations stifle financial innovation. Nagra countered the Great Recession, along with other banking, savings and lending scandals, showed the nation needs oversight and strong enforcement of consumer financial protection laws.
"The CFPB never gets in the way of those businesses doing the right thing," Nagra pointed out. "The CFPB goes after businesses and other organizations that are defrauding consumers, that are cheating consumers."
The letter, signed by Oregon Democrats, charged big financial institutions, which the bureau was created to regulate, have prioritized dismantling it. Nagra added consumer protection should not be a partisan issue because everyone is a consumer. He emphasized the need for a united consumer voice.
Disclosure: Oregon Consumer Justice contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Human Rights/Racial Justice, Poverty Issues, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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Scams are on the rise in the wake of the Los Angeles fires, according to a warning on social media from the Pasadena Police Department - so experts have some tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.
There have been reports of people pretending to be fire victims, approaching shoppers in store checkout lines and asking if they'll purchase items for them.
Kathy Stokes is director of fraud prevention programs with the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
"People will tell you that they're in need, and could you buy them baby formula?" said Stokes. "They'll take the baby formula to the next store, let's say it's a Target - then they'll go to a different Target and return it."
Lots of Go Fund Me pages have popped up after the fires - but experts say the safest way to help is to go through a trusted, established charity.
Several websites will help you verify whether a charity is legitimate - including Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, or Give.org, which is run by the Better Business Bureau.
There are also reports of people pretending to be from FEMA, or from insurance companies.
Some may offer to help speed up your claim - but then use your personal information to file a false claim or steal your identity.
Stokes said fake contractors may show up on your street with a truck and materials, and offer to help you rebuild on the cheap.
"If you're in a desperate situation, and you may not think to check credentials, or to try to get other companies to bid on the project, you may end up paying for something up front," said Stokes, "and then they go away, or they do a shoddy job."
Stokes said homeowners also need to be wary of people offering pennies on the dollar for real estate in the wake of the blazes.
Disclosure: AARP California contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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