Consumerpedia

Data breaches are now an annoyingly normal part of life: You change your stolen passwords, cancel your compromised credit cards. But it can be a significantly more serious problem when hackers get your medical data. Last year, about 1 in 3 Americans had their medical records breached, according to the federal government. In this episode, we’ll look at how hackers are getting their hands on this highly sensitive personal information, what they’re able to do with it, and how you can protect yourself. Special guests: Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center James Lee, Chief Operating Officer at the Identity Theft Resource Center --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Travel outside the U.S. and you’ll need to make sure your cell phone works wherever you’re headed. With a little advance planning, you can also lower the cost of using your phone on that trip—in some cases, by $100 a line a week or more. In this episode, what the major mobile phone companies charge to use their roaming services when you’re in a foreign country, and how to pay less by switching to a local wireless carrier at your destination. Plus, the pros and cons of turning off your cell service and relying on Wi-Fi. Read Checkbook's full report on how to save money while using a phone internationally. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Feeding the family has never been more expensive. Supermarket prices have been going up for four years now, running well ahead of the overall inflation rate. And while increases are slowing, no one expects the cost of food to drop back to where it was before the pandemic. In this episode, why everything is so pricey, the tricks food manufacturers use to disguise their price hikes—shrinkflation and skimpflation—and how to get the most for your money when you go to the supermarket. Special Guests: Abha Bhattarai - Washington Post Reporter; Edgar Dworsky - Publisher, ConsumerWorld.org; Jamie Lettis - Checkbook Associate Editor Read Checkbook’s full report on grocery stores and delivery services. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

You can save a ton of money by comparison shopping. Checkbook’s surveys consistently find huge price differences—sometimes more than twice as much—from company to company for the exact same product or service. And businesses can get away with this because they know most customers won’t bother to shop around. Sometimes consumers don’t compare prices because they’re in a rush or they don’t want to scour the internet for the best deal. But we often find buyers don’t compare prices because they’ve been duped into thinking they already have. In this episode, some of the common manipulative marketing techniques sellers use to convince you to pay up and pay too much. Read Checkbook's full report on the 30 Tricks Sellers Use to Manipulate You --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Are you frustrated with the way companies treat you? If so, you’re not alone: Surveys find that many consumers are fed up with long waits on the phone, customer service agents who can’t solve their problems, unintelligible billing statements, poorly designed websites, and inexperienced or indifferent sales staff. In this episode: Why do so many companies see customer service as a costly problem, rather than a way to retain their customers? Why is it so difficult, if not impossible, to resolve issues via phone? Is there anything you can do to get your problems solved after the sale? Guests: Jon Picoult, founder of Watermark Consulting and author of “From Impressed to Obsessed.” Forrest Morgeson, associate professor of marketing at Michigan State University, and director of research emeritus at the  American Customer Satisfaction Index. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Most drivers find a policy, pay the premium, and never think about it again. Big mistake! Checkbook shoppers find huge price differences from company to company. Most drivers will save $500 to $1,000 a year by shopping around and switching if they find a better deal. In this episode: Which insurance companies have the best prices? Which ones provide the best customer service? Do price comparison websites work? Plus, why do many insurance companies use credit scores to set their rates? Read Checkbook's full report on auto insurance. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Manufacturers often make it difficult or impossible to fix their products when they break, or even take them to an independent repair shop of your choosing. Consumer advocates say these repair restrictions limit competition, drive up the cost of repairs, and add to the growing problem of e-waste. In this episode, a look at the broken repair system and what's being done to fix it. Plus, make your voice heard as part of the petition to the Federal Trade Commission by clicking here to sign. Guests: Nathan Proctor, senior director of the Right to Repair campaign at U.S. PIRG Elizabeth Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability at iFixit --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

You don’t necessarily have to join a gym to get more exercise there are scads of other workout options, many of which are free. If you decide that joining a club is the best choice for you, shop around and avoid making any long-term financial commitments. The fitness industry thrives on good intentions, but most consumers who join gyms stop using them regularly after only a few weeks or months, yet they continue paying their dues. In this episode: Tips on how to find the best gym or fitness center, how to avoid the common marketing tricks and traps used by salespeople, and what to look for when reviewing membership contracts. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Smart toys are cool. With their onboard cameras, microphones, and sensors… plus the ability to pair with other devices or connect to the internet, they can do some amazing things. They can also collect data on your child—including pictures and what they say—and send that information back to the toy company. So, parents need to think carefully about whether to buy these toys. And if so, how to make sure they’re used safely by their children. In this episode, we’ll look at the privacy and security risks created by this data collection and sharing, and how parents can mitigate that risk. We’ll also give you a checklist of things to look for before buying smart toys, and what to do once you get them home. Special Guests: Teresa Murray Consumer Watchdog, U.S. PIRG R.J. Cross, Director of PIRG’s Don’t Sell My Data Campaign --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

While convenient, online shopping can be risky. E-commerce creates all sorts of new opportunities for cyber criminals to do their dirty work, so you need to be careful. U.S. consumers reported losing $358 million to online scams last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In this episode, we talk to John Breyault, a vice president at the National Consumers League, and Melissa Lanning Trumpower, executive director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, about how to spot the tricks con artists use to fool you and how you can protect yourself. Also, the smart way to pay when shopping online, and how to fight back against porch pirates. Additional Resources: Tips for reducing your risk of fraud this holiday shopping season. BBB Scam Tracker is a free tool anyone can use to report suspected scams. Your reports warn others so they can avoid similar cons. Fraud victims can report scams to the National Consumers League’s Fraud.org website. This information is shared with a network of 100 law enforcement partners across the U.S. and Canada. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Roofing work is expensive. If you hire the wrong contractor, you can overspend by thousands of dollars and still get terrible work done. It takes time to find a good roofer who will do the job for the best price—you don’t just hire the first company that gives you an estimate. In this episode, we’ll explain how to find a reliable roofing company, how to review proposals for that job, and how to compare warranties. Plus, ways to avoid getting ripped off by a shady contractor. Read Checkbook's full report on roofers, including unbiased ratings and price comparisons. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

The market is flooded with credit card offers, and some of the signup bonuses are mighty appealing. But slow down—applying for a credit card is something that shouldn’t be rushed. You need to cut through the marketing hype and understand all the terms, conditions, and fees. If you’re not careful, you could choose a card that hurts your financial well-being. In this episode: How to shop for a credit card—things you should do before you apply for any card, and what to look for when comparing offers. Plus: Is a rewards card really right for you? And how a balance transfer card might help you pay down a large balance on another card. Additional Resources: Dealing with Debt How to Pick the Right Credit Card --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Whether you enjoy shopping or just grin and bear it, there are things you can do to score the best prices and make the process easier. In this episode, we explain how to ignore the flood of marketing hype and avoid the fake sales designed to mislead you. Also, where to find hidden discounts and cash-back offers, and the potential downsides of using buy now, pay later. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Artificial intelligence has been around for decades, but the world changed in November with the introduction of ChatGPT, the AI app that lets anyone harness the power of this amazing supercomputing technology—including criminals. In this episode, a look at how fraudsters might be able to use AI to their benefit. Will it change the types of scams they create or simply make it easier for them to fool us? Can AI companies make it harder for crooks to use their technology against us? Can the good guys use AI to fight fraud more effectively? Special guests: Chester Wisniewski, Field Chief Technology Officer for Applied Research at Sophos, the global digital security company. Lorrie Cranor, Director of the CyLab Security and Privacy Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Brett Johnson, a convicted cyber-criminal who stole millions, and now works as a digital security consultant. Additional Resources: Identity and Cyber Theft: How to Protect Yourself Cyber Crime: A Former Cyber Crook Explains How to Protect Yourself Stop, Thief! How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Today’s windows are technological marvels. They provide better insulation, reduce drafts, are easier to clean, and help lower home energy bills. But all these benefits come with very high price tags. Window companies generate numerous complaints about high-pressure sales tactics and substandard installation. Checkbook cautions that some companies greatly over-promise the energy savings that will result from their windows. In this episode, Kevin Brasler, Checkbook’s executive editor, cuts through the marketing hype, compares the pros and cons of various types of windows, and explains how to find a reliable contractor. Additional Resources: Buying & Installing New Windows How to Hire a Good Contractor Saving Energy at Home --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Wearable devices, health apps, and online medical resources can help us stay fit and healthy. They also collect highly personal information that you might assume is confidential. In most cases, this data can be—and often is—shared and sold without your knowledge or permission. In this episode, how to tell if your health information is protected by the federal privacy law known as HIPAA, and what to do before you use medical apps, smart devices, or go online for medical advice. We talk with Pam Dixon, executive director of World Privacy Forum, and Jen Caltrider, a privacy researcher at the Mozilla Foundation. Additional Resource: Health Tracking Apps and Other Tech Might Be Invading Your Privacy --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

“Buyer beware!” It’s more important than ever for you to heed this warning when buying goods and services. Consumers’ Checkbook regularly reports on scams and shameful selling practices that continue to become more rampant. Unfortunately, even “reputable” businesses treat consumers unfairly, often by using new technologies. In this episode, we discuss how many companies prioritize profits ahead of their customers—and what you can do to fight back. Special Guest: Adam Levin, consumer advocate, digital privacy expert, and host of the “What the Hack?” podcast Additional Resources: FTC Accuses Amazon of Tricking Millions into Joining Prime Amazon and Microsoft Charged with Violating Children's Privacy Law FTC Rule Would Make it Easier to Cancel Unwanted Subscriptions 30 Tricks Sellers Use to Make You Pay Up Consumerpedia, Episode 43: How the CFPB Protects You --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Sooner or later all appliances will need to be repaired or replaced. But when the fridge is on the fritz or the oven is burnt out, how do you decide what to do? New home appliances are expensive, but it’s not always easy to know how much repair work will cost. In this episode, how to decide whether to fix what you have or buy something new. When it’s time to go shopping we have advice on how to avoid the misleading sales hype to get a real deal. Read Checkbook's full reports on appliance repair services and appliance stores. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

The Consumer Financial Bureau (CFPB) is one of the newest federal regulatory agencies. Its prime directive is to ensure that financial products offered to you are fair, transparent, and competitive. The CFPB’s jurisdiction includes mortgages, auto loans, student loans, credit cards, credit reporting, and debt collection. In this episode, a look at the initiatives and proposed rules in the pipeline that you should know about and may want to comment on. Also, how the CFPB is working to eliminate junk fees and how it may be able to help if you feel cheated or deceived by a company it regulates. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

In the last year or so, we’re finally beginning to see a robust market for electric vehicles. More manufacturers are now in the game, which provides buyers with more choices. So, should you go electric now, or wait, or maybe split the difference and go hybrid? In this episode, find out about the latest EV options, how federal tax credits might help lower prices, and why leasing may be a smart move right now. Also, how reliable are the new EVs, and what’s happening to increase the number of charging stations? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support