Right Column

Consumer Connection -- Story Archives

Cars and Drivers

• Auto Emissions News Spring 2008 p 18
• Breathe Easier for a Smashing Good Time Summer/Fall 2006 p 17
• Bureau of Automotive Repair Helps Put Brakes on Illegal Street Racing Fall/Winter 2006 p 12
• Car Buyers Bill of Rights: New Options for Car Buyers – At a Price Summer/Fall 2006 p 12

• Clearing the Air on Hybrid Vehicles: Is One Right for You? Summer 2008 p 27

• Choosing an Automotive Repair Shop Fall/Winter 2005 p 13
• Consumers Breathe Even Easier as Auto Repair/Retirement Program Expands Summer/Fall 2006 p 16
• Drive Healthy California: Reducing Smog is in Your Hands Summer 2008 p 9
• How to Keep Auto Body Repairs From Denting Your Wallet Spring 2007 p 16
• Hydrogen Highway: How the State Helps Provide Alternative Fuels Spring 2008 p 14
• Income Limit Raised: More Money for Smog Check, Repair Help Winter 2006 p 5
• No Bones About It: BAR's Best Bust Tales Spring 2006 p 6
• Protect Yourself From Predatory Towing Winter 2007 p 12
• Q&A Rachel Chavez, Chief, California Arbitration Certification Program Fall/Winter 2005 p 11
• Shopping for Your Teen's First Car: Sensible Tips, Summer/Fall 2006 p 6
• State Targets High-Polluting Vehicles to Help Californians Breathe Easier Fall/Winter 2005 p 8
• Tips to Survive the High Gas Jive Summer/Fall 2006 p 14

Charities

• Don't Let Opportunists Sour Sweet Charity Fall 2007 p 14

Children

• Buying Second-Hand Bargains for Baby? Think Safety First Summer 2008 p 10
• California LifeSmarts 2007 Summer 2007 p 14
• Consumer Survival 1A: Teens Wise Up With LifeSmarts Spring 2006 p 10
• Making the Grade in Consumer 101: Tips for Young Consumers and Parents Fall/Winter 2005 p 5

Cyber Safety and Identity theft

• Cyber Safety Summit Helps Kids Surf Safe, Smart, and Legal Winter 2006 p 4
• DCA Helps Veterans Prevent Identity Theft Summer/Fall 2006 p 15
• Don't Be a Target! Protect Yourself from Identity Thieves Summer/Fall 2006 p 18
• Fending Off Identity Thieves: How Not to Lose Yourself in the Holiday Spirit Winter 2006 p 8
• Freeze Out Identity Thieves Fall/Winter 2005 p 10
• ID Theft Summit 2007 Summer 2007 p 4
• New Coalition Focuses on Children's Internet Safety Summer/Fall 2006 p 5
• Saying "No" To "My Other Me": Spending 30 Minutes and About $30 Can Give You Real Protection Against Identity Theft Spring 2006 p 14
• The Third Annual Identity Theft Summit Spring 2007 p 20
• While the Cat is Away: Child Internet Safety for the Holidays Winter 2006 p 9

Environment

• Going Natural – Even in Death. Eco-Burials Gain Fans Spring 2008 p 6
• How to be a Green Consumer Spring 2008 p 19
• What's it Mean to be Green? Commonly Used Terms and Definitions Spring 2008 p 4

Food

• Delightful, Delicious, and Direct: Exploring Your Local Farmers' Market Summer 2007 p 6

Health and Medical Care

• Diabetes: Paying Attention to Your Feet Could Save Your Life! Spring 2007 p 6
• Health Clubs and Spas: Be Active, Be Well, but Be Aware Winter 2007 p 10
• Hear Today, Hearing Loss Tomorrow: The Hidden Dangers of Personal Stereo Systems Winter 2007 p 14
• Keeping Your Head Above Water: A Personal Flotation Device Can Save Your Life Summer 2008 p 4
• Looks to Die For? The Uncertain Risks of Cosmetic Surgery and How to Avoid Dangerous Doctors Spring 2006 p 16
• Precautionary "Foot" Notes: Foot Spas and Showers Spring 2007 p 4
• Sun Safety: Coping with UVA Rays Summer 2007 p 12
• Testing the Waters: DCA Group Develops Footspa Safety Rules Summer/Fall 2006 p 9
• Tune up Your Toes for Spring: Tips for Healthy, Happy Feet Spring 2007 p 5
• Weight Loss Woes: You'll Lose Money, Not Weight, With Shady Lotions, Potions, and Devices Summer 2008 p 16

Household Goods and Services

• High-Definition Television Deadline: Beware of HDTV Scams and Rip-Offs Fall 2007 p 24
• Indoor Forest Fire! How to Keep Your Tree Green Winter 2006 p 15
• Debugging Your Home: Simple and Safe Ways to Keep Insects at Bay Spring 2008 p 8
• Dishing Out on Satellite Service Summer 2007 p 16
• Smart Household Appliances: Save Energy and Maybe Get Money Back, too Spring 2008 p 10

Housing

• Foreclosure: A Growing Trend; How to Avoid Becoming a Statistic Fall 2007 p 20

Internet

• Online and at Your Command: Consumer Services Center Debuts on the DCA Web Site Spring 2008 p 16

Legal Matters

• New Year Introduces New Protections for California Consumers Spring 2006 p 9
• Division of Investigation Case Highlights Winter 2006 p 6
• Unlicensed Activity, Do Ask! Do Tell! Fall 2007 p 4

Money and Credit

• Accountants Warn Consumers About Instant Refund Loans Spring 2007 p 14
• MoneySmarts: Plastic Rap Summer 2008 p 31
• Today's Credit Card: Fine for Short-Term Credit, But Risky as a Safety Net Winter 2006 p 17

Personal Profiles

• Career Runs Full Circle for Consumer Information Center Agent Spring 2006 p 12
• DCA Personal Profile: Kathryn L. Door Fall/Winter 2005 p 7

Seniors

• Assisted Living Choices: Finding Care for Those You Care About Fall 2007 p 12
• Senior Summit 2006: Big Population Changes Amp Up Future Needs Spring 2006 p 4
• New DCA Bureau Protects Vulnerable Seniors and Their Money Fall 2007 p 8
• Phoney "Phishers" to Shady Charities: How Seniors Can Fight Back Spring 2006 p 20
• Reverse Mortgages: Risk or Resource? Fall 2007 p 6
• Senior Summit Wrap-Up Summer/Fall 2006 p 4
• Programs Help Seniors Afford Their Medicines Fall 2007 p 18
• Aging Warriors: Many California Vets Unaware of Benefits Fall 2007

Scam warnings

• Attack of the Clonemobiles Summer/Fall 2006 p 22
• Beware of Spoofing: Bogus, Look-Alike Online Sites Winter 2007 p 6
• Bogus Caller ID "Spoofing" Poses a Serious Threat Spring 2007 p 13
• Candy From a Baby Summer/Fall 2006 p 22
• Collecting Time Winter 2006 p 20
• Contractors State License Board Consumer Alert: Home Repair Scammers May Lurk in the Phone Book Summer 2008 p 23
• Danger Lingers Long After the Wildfires Are Out Fall 2007 p 5
• Emergency! Desperate Call from Mexico! Spring 2007 p 21
• False Hopes: Work At Home! No or Low Risk! Spring 2007 p 21
• New Things That Go Bump in the Night? Summer 2007 p 5
• Rollback Roundup Winter 2006 p 20
• Statewide Scam Roundup: Spotting Greenwashing and Other Cons Spring 2008 p 13
• Travel Trickery Summer/Fall 2006 p 22

Shopping

• Gift Cards: What You Should Know Before You Buy Them Winter 2006 p 12
• Mall Safety: How to Stay Aware in the Holiday Frenzy, Winter 2006 p 14
• Online and On Guard Winter 2007 p 4
• Reconsidering Rebates: Consumer Caution Urged Winter 2007 p 8
• Toy Story: Things to Bear in Mind While Searching for the Perfect Gift Winter 2006 p 10

Travel

• Don't Let Bedbugs Bite Summer 2007 p 11
• New Passport Rules Shouldn't Slow You Down Spring 2007 p 12
• Spring Travel Tips: Safe and Sane Ways to Soothe Spring Fever Spring 2007 p 8
• Well on Wheels: Stay Healthy on the Road with a Traveler's First Aid Kit Summer 2007 p 9