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James R Hood

Car Crashes Down Due to COVID, Drivers Owed Refunds, Groups Say

Car Crashes Down Due to COVID, Drivers Owed Refunds, Groups Say

With most commuters facing COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, traffic has been way down for months, and so have insurance claims, according to new data from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the Center for Economic Justice (CEJ). The drastic drop in accidents is good news for drivers, of course, but

COVID-19 Adds to 'Normal' Death Toll from Disease, Drugs, Guns, Cars

COVID-19 Adds to 'Normal' Death Toll from Disease, Drugs, Guns, Cars

There are many ways to die but they basically boil down to accidental and natural, with the coronavirus pandemic expected to increase deaths in several categories this year thanks to the social and economic dislocations brought on by the pandemic. Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of “natural”

Funerals Don't Have to Break the Bank

Funerals Don't Have to Break the Bank

The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by news stories bemoaning the plight of funeral homes struggling to keep up with increased demand. But little attention is paid to alternatives that can save consumers’ precious resources without sacrificing the closure and solace that a farewell ceremony provides. The simplest solution is

Some Automakers Get the Jump on Automatic Braking

Some Automakers Get the Jump on Automatic Braking

Ten automakers have taken the lead in installing automatic emergency braking (AEB) in nearly all the cars they produce for the U.S. market, well ahead of the 2022-23 deadline set for all manufacturers. Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Tesla began installing the potential life-saver last year. This year, they are

Consumers Get New Protections from Illegal Debt Collections

Consumers Get New Protections from Illegal Debt Collections

While 2020 didn’t have many high points, there’s at least one thing for consumers to celebrate – a new initiative aimed at protecting consumers from fraudulent and harassing debt collectors. The Federal Trade Commission announced Operation Corrupt Collector (OCC), in September, a crackdown involving three other federal agencies and

Pennsylvania Alleges Student Loan Forgiveness Offer Was a Scam

Pennsylvania Alleges Student Loan Forgiveness Offer Was a Scam

Student loan forgiveness has been a big topic on the campaign trail recently but it is still more of a concept than a reality, creating attractive opportunities for scammers. In Pennsylvania, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced that his office has shut down a California-based company that was allegedly operating an

CBD Promoters Cautioned by FDA

CBD Promoters Cautioned by FDA

CBD, or cannabidiol, has become the latest cure-all to fly off retailers’ shelves and websites. Its promoters claim all kinds of enviable health benefits but public health agencies caution that it’s not so simple. In the latest attempt to tamp down untoward enthusiasm, the U.S. Food and Drug