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, conducts media exposes, produces consumer guides, and sends out consumer alerts so we have the tools to make smart, safe, informed choices.

The Latest on Consumer alerts
Should I hit “accept” on cookie pop-ups?
A cookie consent pop-up. Don't click

Consumer alerts

Should I hit “accept” on cookie pop-ups?

When we use free websites and apps, there's often cookies and other tracking technologies in the background harvesting huge amounts of data about who we are and what we do online. Virtually no laws rein in the companies behind these cookies, nor how they use and sell the info they collect.

Updates
Featured Resources

Did You Know?
In times of emergency, our researchers have found price surges of up to 166% for critical supplies like face masks and bottled water.

What We're Doing

Our guide provides tips for avoiding price-gouging and a how-to for reporting bad actors.

Learn more

The Latest
Type
As the summer of airline delays and cancellations peaks, DOT considers better info to help passengers
Slide from deck showing 1929 airline flight information

Consumer alerts

As the summer of airline delays and cancellations peaks, DOT considers better info to help passengers

As passengers swelter through a summer of airline delays and cancellations, the U.S. Department of Transportation asked U.S. PIRG to present on whether requiring airlines to provide more information earlier in the search process would increase consumer choice and further the recommendations of the President's Executive Order on Competition.   Screenshot from slide deck features 1929 "Offical Airline Guide." Public domain courtesy Smithsonian Institution via archive.org.

More on alleged Zelle app fraud in NYTimes

Consumer alerts

More on alleged Zelle app fraud in NYTimes

The NYTimes reports that "When Customers Say Their Money Was Stolen on Zelle, Banks Often Refuse to Pay." We did a report last year on consumer complaints about Zelle and similar apps.

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Team
Ed
Mierzwinski

Ed
Mierzwinski

Senior Director, Federal Consumer Program, PIRG

Mike
Litt

Mike
Litt

Director, Consumer Campaign, PIRG