consumer

California Bans Bank Fees on Declined Withdrawals, Boosting Consumer Financial Protection

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Sacramento, Calif. – A newly enacted California law, set to take effect starting January 1, aims to alleviate the financial burden on citizens by banning state-chartered banks from imposing fees on instantly declined transactions due to insufficient funds. This legislation points to a significant shift in the financial management policies intended to favor consumers, particularly those facing economic hardships. The law, known as Assembly Bill 2017, primarily targets instances where customers face penalties at ATMs or during other automatic withdrawal attempts when their bank balances fail to cover the transactions. Californians can expect some relief … Read more

Championing Consumer Safety: Attorney Brendan A. Smith Targets Negligence by Major Corporations in High-Profile Litigations

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St. Louis, MO — Brendan A. Smith, a noted attorney with Simmons Hanly Conroy, has built a remarkable career by advocating for clients who have sustained severe injuries due to faulty pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Smith, who joined the firm in 2012, heads the Complex Litigation Department, where he handles cases involving sexual abuse and unsafe consumer products, challenging some of the world’s largest corporations. Smith’s work is driven by a commitment to justice for individuals harmed by products whose safety was compromised in the pursuit of profits. “These companies prioritize profit over safety, and … Read more

Google Clashes with Consumer Watchdog: Alleges Overreach in Payment Supervision Case

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Washington, D.C. — In a contentious move, Alphabet Inc.’s Google Payment has found itself under the stringent oversight of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), escalating tensions between the tech giant and the regulatory body. The CFPB, asserting its powers, declared that it possesses “reasonable cause” to scrutinize Google Payment, citing potential risks to consumer rights and security, which has swiftly triggered a lawsuit from Google challenging the assertion of regulatory overreach. Alphabet, the parent company of Google which is listed under the NASDAQ symbols GOOG and GOOGL, has been rapidly expanding its foray into … Read more

Wave of Change: Nineteen States Join California in Enacting Consumer Privacy Laws — What This Means for Businesses and Consumers Alike

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In a sweeping trend that underscores growing concerns about digital privacy, 19 states have enacted consumer privacy regulations following California’s pioneering efforts. These laws vary significantly, however, posing complex challenges for businesses striving for compliance. As various states tailor their legislation to address specific concerns, the landscape of privacy laws across the U.S. continues to evolve, with some states implementing laws this year and others planning to do so by 2025 and 2026. Most of the recently enacted state laws share commonalities with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), but each contains unique provisions that … Read more