AEE: Financial and Consumer Literacy

Contact Cathy Bowan or Marilyn Furry

Consumer Issues is a newsletter that covers a variety of consumer interest areas. Many of the topics included are related to personal finances. The intent of the newletter is to update and inform consumers about issues that can impact the well-being and daily living of individuals and families.

Consumer Issues Newsletter Menus

2008

These publications are available for on-line viewing as Acrobat PDF files using the Acrobat Reader. With free Acrobat Reader® software, you can view and print Adobe PDF files.

2008 INDEX
Issue	Articles Featured
Volume 17(3) PDF File	Consumer Issues is Back!! Putting a Stop to Unfair and Deceptive Credit Card Practices and Overdraft Fees Reduce to Cost of a College Education Saving on the Two G's--Gas and Groceries Federal Agencies Responsible for Keeping Our Money Safe Property Ownership Revisited Stress Free Ways to Teach Children About Money

2005 INDEX
Issue	Articles Featured
Volume 16(3) PDF File	Bankruptcy Law Changes October 17 Affinity Fraud: What It Is and How It Works Tips to Avoid Being an Affinity Fraud Victim NASAA's 2005 Top 10 Threats to Investors How to Choose a Financial Planner or Investment Advisor You Need to Know About RUCPA
Volume 16(2) PDF File	Identity Theft in Pennsylvania 12 Steps to Reduce ID Theft Fraud Alerts and ID Theft What is a DMP and How they Work How to Choose a Credit Counselor
Volume 16(1) PDF File	Strategies for Trimming Holiday Debt Check 21 and Your Checking Account Renting a Car in Pennsylvania Tips for Improving Fuel Efficiency Health Savings Account

2004 INDEX
Issue	Articles Featured
Volume 15(4) PDF File	Moving Out? Tips for an Organized Move Back to School Shopping New Brochure on Predatory Lending Tech Support is on the Way! Don't Take the Bait! Beware of E-mail Scams Credit Cards and Universal Default Donating Cars to Charity The Federal Consumer Information Center
Volume 15(3) PDF File	Airport Travel Advisory Cruising Through Airport Security with Carry-On Bags Consumer Tip - Check Returned Credit Cards When Dining Out? Where to Pack It Gifts That Keep Giving Clear Choices for Contact Lens Wearers Something is Missing from Government Checks New Recall Resource FirstGov en Espanol
Volume 15(2) PDF File	Credit Card Interest Calculation Methods Can Save You Money Plan to Give More in 2004? What You Should Know Before Itemizing Charitable Contributions How Do You Prefer to Pay? Consolidating Discount Card Information Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 Protects Consumers
Volume 15(1) PDF File	Keep Your Phone Number Organize for the New Year How Long Should I Keep It? Social Security and Medicare 2004 Benefits and Changes Shopping for Credit Cards

2003 INDEX
Issue	Articles Featured
Volume 14(4) PDF File	Be Scholarship Smart! Pre-paid Phone Cards: Which One is Best for You Money Management Crash Course for Students Are you Lowering Your Credit Score? Plugging Spending Leaks
Volume 14(3) PDF File	Five Easy Ways to Start Saving Protect Yourself from Home Improvement Woes Credit Card Security Measures Filing a Complaint with your Private or Employer Health Plan Don't Sweat Cooling Your Home

Volume 14(2)
PDF file

Does it Pay to Wait? The Lowdown on Instant Tax Returns
When Can I Expect My Refund Check?
Tax Preparers Benefit from Earned Income Tax Credit
Don't Forget! National Credit Education Week
Plastic Perils: Top Five Consumer Concerns about Credit or Debit Cards
IRS Offers Class Resource for Understanding Taxes
Key Differences Between Credit and Debit Cards
2003 Tax Credits at a Glance

Volume 14(1)
PDF file

Don't Become a Victim of False Weight Loss Advertising
PA One of Top Five Locations for Victims of Internet Fraud
Consumer Protection Week
Preparing Your Car for Winter
Can I Afford to Change Careers?
2003 Social Security and Medicare Changes
Costs of Credit Reports Do Not Rise
Winter Car Emergency Kit

2002 INDEX
Issue	Articles Featured
Volume 13(4) PDF file	African AmericanViews on Financial Planning: What are Today's Trends? Decoding the Stock Market Ticker Tape William Boyle, Founder of the Credit Card Credit Card Insurance: Do You Need It? You Find "Proof" of an Old Account or Safe Deposit Box: Is It Treasure or Trash?

Volume 13(3)
PDF file

In with the New FirstGov.Gov
Record Keeping for Beginners
Cutting the Cost of Car Insurance
Five Cool Reasons to Call the Federal Consumer Information Center

Volume 13(2)
PDF file

The 2002 Consumer Action Handbook
Cooperative Extension: A Leader in Financial Education
Personal Phone Book
Identity Theft on the Rise
Non-profit, Not-for-Profit and Nonprofit Organizations
Safe Deposit Boxes: Some Considerations
Financial Planning Becomes More Important
Keeping Tabs on Product Recalls
Currency Conversion Fees and Credit Cards
Annual Credit Card Survey Highlights

Volume 13(1)
PDF file

National Consumer Protection Week
Costs of Credit Reports Rise
Social Security and Medicare Chnges
Teachable Moments
Advance Hotel Reservations
Pay More than the Minimum
FTC Proposes a National "Do Not Call" Registry

2001 INDEX
Issue	Articles Featured
Volume 12(4) PDF file	Holiday Foreign Travel and Credit Cards Holiday Gift Giving Avoiding the Hazards of Online Holiday Shopping Consumer Sentinel Database New Single Nationwide Phone Number for Poison Control Mandatory Disclosure of ATM Fees How the SEC Rulemaking Process Works Victims of 9/11 Attacks Get Relief on College Loans Credit Card Costs
Volume 12(3) PDF file	The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and Your Privacy Tips for Writing a Letter of Complaint Five Mistakes Consumers Make Sample Consumer Complaint Letter How to Complain Effectively Protecting Your Identity from "Pretexters"
Volume 12(2) PDF file	National Credit Risk Scores Now Available to Consumers Fraud Web Sites Electronic Signatures Symbols on Products We Use Everyday: What Do They Mean?
Volume 12(1) PDF file	National Consumer Protection Week 2001 Credit Report Cost Remain Unchanged Are Elderly Consumers More Receptive to Telemarketing Fraud? Pennsylvania Sales Tax Holiday on Personal Computers Social Security and Medicare Changes Highlights of the Fair Credit Reporting Act Store Returns Check Credit Card Billing Statements

2000 INDEX
Issue	Articles Featured
Volume 11(4) PDF file	Prepaid Debit Cards for Today's Teens Giving to Charities Tips on Charitable Giving Shopping on the Web Social Security NumbersñSuggestions for Protecting Yours Pennsylvania Sales Tax Holiday on Personal Computers
Volume 11(3) PDF file	Identify Theft Opt Out Request Line Fewer Consumers Are Seeking Protection from Creditors I Bonds: A Safe Way to Invest Your Savings Your One-Stop Shop for Federal Information: the Federal Information Center (FIC) Know Your Liability Limit for ATM Cards, Credit and Debit Cards, Stored-Value Cards, and Checks 22 PA Banks Offer the ETA Go Direct Deposit
Volume 11(2) PDF file	New Law Covers Sweepstakes Social Security Retirement Calculators Retirement Age Increases Working Penalty Removed for Retirees Women's Consumer Survival Kit Credit Bureaus to Provide Better Customer Service
Volume 11(1) PDF file	National Consumer Protection Week Social Security Statements: From Requests to Automatic Mailings Electronic Transfer Accounts May Be Coming to Your Neighborhood Soon Cancelled Checks: A Thing of the Past Electronic Banking Basics

1999 INDEX
Issue	Articles Featured
Volume 10(4) PDF file	Credit Cards and Minimum Charge Limits Avoid the Buried in Bills Syndrome Gifts for Emergencies Money Measures for the Next Millennium Traveler's Checklist Attention Homeowners: Cancel Needless Mortgage Insurance!!! Driving Privileges Revised for Pennsylvania Teens
Volume 10(3) PDF file	The Year 2000 and Your Money What is Fraud? Report Suspicious Activity to Authorities Y2K Fraud Reports Tips on How to Avoid Fraud and Financial Swindles FDIC Wants to Hear From You FDIC and Banking Questions Year 2000 Investor Kit
Volume 10(2) PDF file	Y2K and You Y2K Caution Credit Card Solicitations by Internet Credit Report Fees Falling Interest Rates PA Personal Bankruptcies Continue to Rise Hours Doing Housework Declines Target Marketing Low Income Consumers Shopping Trips
Volume 10(1) PDF file	Celebrate National Consumer Protection Week U.S. Treasury Securities More Affordable Spamming, Cramming and Slamming Direct Deposit New Year's Resolutions

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Please e-mail us with your questions, comments or suggestions at cfb4@psu.edu.
Last Update: July 11, 2008
Financial & Consumer Literacy contact:
Cathy Bowen cbowen@psu.edu or Marilyn Furry mfurry@psu.edu