Analysis Topic: Consumer Watch
The analysis published under this topic are as follows.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Should Energy Companies Ripping off Customers be Nationalised? / ConsumerWatch / Household Bills
By: Nadeem_Walayat
Ofgem, Britains' toothless energy regulator announced today what customers already knew that Britians' six main energy suppliers (British Gas, E.ON, Scottish Power, Scottish & Southern Energy, EDF Energy) are ripping off their customers to the tune of more than £170 each per annum. In the face of a 75% fall in the whole gas price energy suppliers have raised prices by 20% on a year earlier, this is AFTER a 35% price hike during mid 2008. The industry representatives have publically replied that they may even raise energy prices further despite the fact that average wholesale prices for power has halved over the past 12 months which is reflected in projected profits for the sector of £4 billion over the next 12 months.
Monday, September 07, 2009
Sky Saves the Planet by Killing Digiboxes / ConsumerWatch / Technology
By: Nadeem_Walayat
Sky in recent months has been automatically putting sky boxes into standby during the night to save the planet by cutting back on electricity usage whilst the viewer is 'asleep'.
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Which UK Full HD Digital Camcorder Review / ConsumerWatch / Technology
By: Nadeem_Walayat
The must have consumer gadget of 2009 is a Full HD camcorder / digital camera combo which is the target for this review and selection process.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
U.S. Hacker Steals 130m Credit Card Numbers / ConsumerWatch / Credit Cards & Scoring
By: Pravda
The man who prosecutors said had masterminded some of the most brazen thefts of credit and debit card numbers in history was charged on Monday with an even larger set of digital break-ins.
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Saturday, June 06, 2009
Recession Pyramid Schemes Scam Warning / ConsumerWatch / Scams
By: Consumer_Direct
Government advice service Consumer Direct is urging people to avoid falling victim to pyramid schemes which are costing UK consumers an estimated £420 million a year.
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Saturday, June 06, 2009
Selling Your Car? Cold Calling Buyer Matching Scam Warning / ConsumerWatch / Scams
By: Consumer_Direct
Consumer Direct, the OFT-managed advice service, is warning consumers about vehicle matching scams which cost UK consumers nearly £3 million every year.
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Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Age Discrimination Rife Within Motor and Travel Insurance / ConsumerWatch / Insurance
By: MoneySupermarket
With the Government's Equality Bill published today and 'appropriate age-based treatment' allowed, research from moneysupermarket.com finds Brits will continue to be punished with high travel and motoring premium costs on the grounds of their age.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Recession Investment, Debt, Housing and Identity SCAMS to Watch Out for / ConsumerWatch / Scams
By: Money_and_Markets
Larry Edelson writes: I'm taking a different path in this issue. I'm going to discuss a few things that hardly anyone is warning you about.
Yet, they're so important, they simply cannot be overlooked. To do so would be foolhardy.
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Sunday, December 21, 2008
Christmas Scams 2008 Shopping and Emails Alert / ConsumerWatch / Scams
By: Shahla_Walayat
The Fake Internet Shopping Website Christmas Scam - With Christmas just 4 days away shoppers need to be on guard against scammers taking advantage of the last minute rush to buy that is well underway.
Every year, there tends to be a must buy gift, usually a toy that is in short supply due to the demand from parents eager to fullfill their children's wishes.
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Thursday, April 17, 2008
OFT credit card default charges– Two years on / ConsumerWatch / Credit Cards & Scoring
By: MoneyFacts
In April 2006 the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) declared that default charges on credit cards were too high and suggested capping these at £12. In the months that followed lenders cut these charges to £12 but in an attempt to recoup lost revenue, they hiked rates and charges elsewhere. Two years on, how much have the rates and charges on credit cards increased?Read full article... Read full article...
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Consumers Abused by Default Product Purchase Choices / ConsumerWatch / Purchasing
By: Joel_S_Hirschhorn
At some point the business sector realized the best way to take advantage of consumers was to use default options that make them spend money. A default option works because it creates an automatic decision by the consumer doing nothing. And doing nothing is the path of least resistance for time-poor consumers struggling to balance the many difficult responsibilities associated with work, family, maintaining financial security, and coping with stresses on their health. Read full article... Read full article...
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Florida Boiler Room Shares Con Scams 15,000 Elderly Britons / ConsumerWatch / Scams
By: Sarah_Jones
More than 15,000 Britons have fallen victim to a "Boiler Room" Shares scam that allegedly netted the father and daughter perpetrators more than £35 million.
Paul Gunter, 58, and his daughter Zibiah, 25, were charged by Florida Police with with multiple counts of fraud and money laundering, which carry penalties of 5 to 25 years in prison. Both suspects are British Citizens but resident in the USA and in the process of obtaining US citizenship.
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Tuesday, January 08, 2008
02031035180 SCAM Calls Or Very Bad Public Relations by the Halifax? / ConsumerWatch / Scams
By: Sarah_Jones
Brit's up and down the land are being plagued by calls from 0203 103 5180, whilst most take the form of nuisance silent calls, however many people have been reporting that the caller proports to be calling on the behalf of a major UK Bank, The Halifax (Bank of Scotland) and proceeds to ask for personal banking and circumstance information.Read full article... Read full article...
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Twelve Consumer Shopping Tips For Christmas / ConsumerWatch / Money Saving
By: Consumer_Direct
With the Christmas shopping season well under way, Consumer Direct has put together 12 top shopping tips for Christmas to help shoppers avoid problems and get the best deal.
1. Presents
When buying presents, always keep receipts just in case there is a problem with the goods and they need to be returned.
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Tuesday, November 20, 2007
UK Public Sector Incompetence Sinks to New Low - Loss of 25m UK Child Benefit Records / ConsumerWatch / UK Tax & Budget
By: Nadeem_Walayat
The UK Public sector, renowned for gross incompetence and negligence sinks to a new low today as the government announces that the HMRC (Tax and Customs Department) has lost what tantamount's to ALL of the financial records and personal information of ALL of the UK Child Benefit Claimants. This now puts 25 million people at the potential risk of identity theft.Read full article... Read full article...