Consumer Protection
PROTECTING CONSUMER SAFETY—Toys should not be toxic or dangerous for children to play with. Our food should not make us sick. The terms for banking and credit accounts should be clear and easy to understand.
LOOKING OUT FOR CONSUMERS
MASSPIRG’s consumer program works to alert the public to hidden dangers and scams and to ban anti-consumer practices and unsafe products.
TROUBLE IN TOYLAND
For 30 years, MASSPIRG’s "Trouble In Toyland" report has surveyed store shelves and identified choking hazards, noise hazards and other dangers. Our report has led to at least 150 recalls and other regulatory actions over the years.
Get our tips for avoiding dangerous toys.
BIGGER BANKS, BIGGER FEES
In April, MASSPIRG released a report in which we surveyed more than 350 bank branches and revealed that fewer than half of branches obeyed their legal duty to fully disclose fees to prospective customers, while one in four provided no fee information at all. We also found that despite widespread stories about the “death” of free checking, free and low-cost checking choices are still widely available, if consumers shop around.
Find out how to beat high bank fees.
PROTECTING YOUR SECURITY AFTER DATA BREACHES
Data breaches expose victims to serious personal and financial risks. Fortunately, there are steps consumers can take to protect themselves before and minimize the damage done after their personal information has been exposed.
See all consumer resources.
Issue updates
Being proactive and demanding can help keep you and your family safe
If the COVID-19 pandemic affects your ability to pay, here’s what you need to know
Good news: You may still be able to request a forbearance because of COVID-19
BOSTON -- The Massachusetts Office of Attorney General held a hearing Wednesday on implementing stronger price gouging protections for consumers. MASSPIRG testified in support of Attorney General Maura Healey’s proposal to make permanent the emergency price gouging regulations put into place at the beginning of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
MASSPIRG called on the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to pass S. 2652, An Act relative to preventing price gouging during an emergency filed by Senator Bruce Tarr. The bill would codify into law the emergency price gouging regulation, 940, CMR 3:18, that Attorney General Maura Healey issued on 3/20/20.
Consumer Protection
MASSPIRG, Sen. Markey and other advocates call for air travel refunds
MASSPIRG, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (Mass.), Consumer Reports and other public interest advocates are calling for airlines to return cash to travelers who canceled their plans due to COVID-19. The groups delivered nearly 250,000 petition signatures urging major airlines to provide full refunds for these cancellations.
Consumer Protection
Food recall failure
Most grocery store chains are not warning their customers about dangerous food recalls. Find out if your store makes the grade.
Consumer Protection
More than 165,000 life-threatening infant sleepers recalled
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced on Jan. 29 that four companies have issued recalls for more than 165,000 inclined infant sleepers, which fail to meet the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The CPSC's recall is an important step forward — we're continuing to urge manufacturers to stop producing these sleepers for good.
Consumer Protection
New federal bill will make it easier for consumers to know about unsafe, even deadly products
If you had a product in your home that the government knew could cause injury or death, you'd expect the government to warn you, right? Surprisingly, that's not the case for the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The "Safety Hazard and Recall Efficiency Information Act" seeks to change that.
Latest Reports
Tools & Resources
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Need Help with A Consumer Problem?
Call our Consumer Action Center for help: 781-335-0280 -
A New Direction In Driving Trends
Our Changing Relationship with Driving and the Implications for America’s FutureMASSPIRG Education Fund -
GMO Bill Supporters - 2.2015
MASSPIRG -
MA GMO Bill Sponsors, Fact Sheet and Supporters
2015-16 legislative session -
How To: GMO Bill Hearing
9.22.15 -
Leading Groups Send Criteria for Evaluating VW Settlement
Seeking Compensation for Consumers and Environment -
Group letter opposing Nancy Beck to head CPSC
Former chemical industry official would be fox guarding henhouse
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