News

• April 15, 2021 Big tech Is pushing states to pass privacy laws. Yes, be suspicious
• April 15, 2021 Facebook is urged to scrap plans for an Instagram for children
• April 14, 2021 Columna: ¿Por qué una empresa invertiría millones para comprar Ancestry, si no le interesan los datos de ADN de sus usuarios?
• April 14, 2021 ¿Qué son los pasaportes de vacunas, y por qué algunos los detestan tanto?
• April 12, 2021 As variants surge, patchwork surveillance efforts ramp up

( View More News )

CA News & Special Reports

Consumer Action INSIDER - April 2021 The April 2021 issue of Consumer Action INSIDER describes our new Share Financial Data with Care FinTech educational campaign to help consumers stay security savvy while using financial technology apps and online platforms; outlines how our FinTech work has helped consumers save money, even during the pandemic; tells readers how to get out of an unwanted auto-renewal service; details our latest webinar on food insecurity during the pandemic (part of our COVID-19 Educational Project); presents the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's latest work to protect students, homeowners and retirees; details our recent coalition efforts; shares the latest happenings at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; and announces new settlements posted in our Class Action Database. (Wednesday, March 31, 2021)

( View More CA News )

Five Recent Publications

Privacy and security when using FinTech apps (Spanish) Comparta datos financieros con precaución.

Esta publicación le ofrece al usuario de fintech el conocimiento que le permitirá tomar decisiones prudentes cuando elija y utilice aplicaciones fintech, tomar medidas eficaces para proteger la seguridad de los datos de sus cuentas financieras, y comprender sus opciones si algo va mal. (Nuestra guía complementaria, Lo que debe saber sobre cómo funcionan las aplicaciones ‘fintech’, ofrece un resumen de la tecnología financiera y sobre lo que el usuario debe considerar con respecto a la privacidad y seguridad antes de seleccionar y utilizar herramientas financieras digitales.)

This fact sheet gives FinTech users the knowledge to make wise decisions when choosing and using FinTech apps, take effective steps to keep their financial account data safe, and understand their options if something goes wrong. (Our companion guide, What you need to know about how FinTech apps work, offers an overview of financial technology and what privacy and security considerations users should be aware of before choosing and using digital financial tools.)

What you need to know about how FinTech apps work (Spanish) Comparta datos financieros con precaución.

La tecnología financiera puede ofrecerle atractivos beneficios al consumidor que desea manejar sus finanzas de forma digital. Pero, como con cualquier herramienta o servicio de internet, las aplicaciones fintech deben seleccionarse y utilizarse de forma prudente. Esta publicación explica los tipos de herramientas fintech disponibles, cómo funcionan, y cómo afectan la privacidad y seguridad de sus datos. (Nuestra guía complementaria, Privacidad y seguridad para usuarios de aplicaciones ‘fintech’, le ofrece consejos para administrar y proteger sus datos.)

Financial technology can offer attractive benefits for consumers who want to take their personal finances digital. But, like all internet-based tools and services, FinTech apps need to be chosen and used with care. This publication explains the types of FinTech tools available, how they work, and what that means for your data privacy and security. (Our companion guide, Privacy and security when using fintech apps, offers actionable tips for managing and protecting your data.)

Avoid pandemic-related ID theft and account fraud Coping with COVID-19. Identity thieves and fraudsters have taken advantage of the pandemic to get a hold of consumers’ personally identifying information and use it to steal their benefits, access their accounts and open new accounts in the victims’ names. This publication identifies some of the most prominent pandemic-related schemes consumers should be aware of, offers tips for safeguarding your personal and account data, explains how to detect fraud and ID theft, and outlines the steps to take if you discover you’re a victim.

Privacy and security when using FinTech apps Share financial data with care.

This fact sheet gives FinTech users the knowledge to make wise decisions when choosing and using FinTech apps, take effective steps to keep their financial account data safe, and understand their options if something goes wrong. (Our companion guide, What you need to know about how FinTech apps work, offers an overview of financial technology and what privacy and security considerations users should be aware of before choosing and using digital financial tools.)

What you need to know about how FinTech apps work Share financial data with care. Financial technology can offer attractive benefits for consumers who want to take their personal finances digital. But, like all internet-based tools and services, FinTech apps need to be chosen and used with care. This publication explains the types of FinTech tools available, how they work, and what that means for your data privacy and security. (Our companion guide, Privacy and security when using fintech apps, offers actionable tips for managing and protecting your data.)

More publications »

Recommended Publications

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Data Privacy Laws: What You Need to Know. There is no one comprehensive federal law that governs data privacy in the United States. Instead, there is a complex patchwork of sector-specific and medium-specific laws, including laws and regulations that address telecommunications, health information, credit information, financial institutions, and marketing.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Tech Support Scams and Tricks. Con artists behind tech support scams impersonate reputable technology companies to interact with would-be victims over telephone, via websites or by means of rogue software. The logic of such schemes is to persuade the user that their computer is infected with viruses, generating suspicious network activity or having system activation issues. The goal is to trick victims into paying for troubleshooting services they don’t need.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Chronology of Data Breaches. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse has been tracking breaches since 2005 and publishes a Chronology of Data Breaches.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Patient’s Guide to HIPAA. This guide explains how you can use the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect your medical privacy.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Preparing Millennials to Lead in Cyberspace. Young adults, also known as millennials (ages 18 to 26), hold the key to close the cyber talent gap. Having grown up in a digital environment, millennials are well positioned for these cybersecurity careers, since they are at the stage when they need to choose a profession and will be in the workforce for several decades. This survey reviews U.S. millennials’ career interests, level of career preparedness and their online attitudes and behaviors.

More recommended publications »