Defend Your Dollars

Mobile

Consumers have long been able to make payments by phone and more recently, by mobile phone. The emergence and eventual widespread adoption of electronic payment methods has dramatically changed the payments landscape. Convenience should not give way to statutory and regulatory consumer protections.

Publications

• CU offers tips to shoppers for paying online
  Posted 11/17/08 at 3:09 pm

  Not all payment options offer the same level of protection for unauthorized charges and other disputes with retailers

• Where’s my money: Consumer protections needed for new ways to pay
  Posted 07/03/08 at 2:30 pm

  Five things to do today with payments law.

• CU calls for protections in contactless cards and pay by cell phone
  Posted 06/20/08 at 3:10 pm

  Consumer groups describe to the FTC the need for consumer protections in emerging “contactless” payments methods.

• Consumer’s Guide to E-Payments
  Posted 05/16/08 at 11:18 am
• California: Consumer Rights In Electronic Fund Transfers (CR-6)
  Posted 04/16/08 at 11:21 am
• Consumer groups call on Federal Reserve to protect consumers in electronic payments
  Posted 05/25/07 at 6:08 pm

  Letter addresses the erosion of consumer protections under the “Electronic Funds Transfer Act” (EFTA).

• Consumer groups call on Federal Reserve to protect consumers in electronic payments
  Posted at 3:13 pm
• On-line banking policies and principles
  Posted 10/01/99 at 3:15 pm

  Supplement to Consumers Union policy on electronic money and banking

Blog Posts

• Mobile Payments Need Strong Consumer Protections
  Posted 08/10/10 at 4:00 pm

  Today’s American Banker featured a Viewpoint article by Gail Hillebrand and Mark MacCarthy on the need for strong uniform payment protections for consumers, particularly on mobile payments.

• Gaming and Mobile Payments
  Posted 05/24/10 at 10:09 am

  By Simone Backer More and more consumers each year are paying for virtual currency and other online goods with their cell phones. These mobile payments are quicker and simpler than credit card payments, but lack the regulations and infrastructure necessary for totally secure transactions.

• Senate debate on financial reform heats up
  Posted 05/05/10 at 11:50 am

  Now that the Senate floor debate on financial reform has started in earnest, supporters are ofering a number of amendments to strengthen the bill so that it better protects consumers from unsafe financial products and creates new rules to stop banks from getting so big that they could threaten the financial system.

• The Latest Development for Gift Cards
  Posted 02/19/10 at 1:55 pm

  but will it help you spend down to the last penny?
  Target recently introduced its Mobile Gift Card which allow customers with web-enabled cell phones to use their gift cards at this big retailer. Starbucks also has a similar mobile gift card iPhone application on a trial basis in the Seattle and Silicon Valley areas.

• Tips for Buying Online
  Posted 07/07/09 at 3:46 pm

  It’s no secret that consumers today are spending money with more care, looking for bargains and buying only necessities. It’s good that consumers are being more cautious about their spending habits. But, more consumers are also choosing debit or alternative payment methods for online shopping—which may be cause for concern.

• Read your bank statements carefully
  Posted 02/11/08 at 12:14 pm

  Money Mom’s Monday Tip: Read Your Bank Statements Carefully

• Telephone check? Could the Wachovia “demand draft” problem happen to you?
  Posted 02/06/08 at 12:57 pm

  Did you know that your bank can pay someone from your checking account because that person says you authorized it – even though you never signed a check?