Tennessee’s Consumer Affairs Division Offers Tips on Mobile Shopping

Increase in Mobile Wallet Use Calls for Diligent Password Protection

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Consumer Affairs Division is reminding shoppers to make sure they protect their personal information when shopping from mobile devices this holiday season.

“Online shopping is becoming increasingly convenient due to a rise in mobile app use and the introduction of mobile wallets,” says says TDCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini. “Unfortunately, with that ease comes a concern for the security of personal financial information.”

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Tennessee Consumer Affairs says EMV Card Technology arrives ahead of ‘Black Friday’ Holiday Shopping

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Consumer Affairs Division reminds Tennesseans to be aware of changes in credit card technology as this holiday season will be the first year retail stores will be required to become compliant with EMV credit card technology.

EMV (which stands for Europay, MasterCard and Visa) is a new global standard for cards equipped with computer chips and the technology used to authenticate chip-card transactions.

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ShopSmart reveals How to Nab a Free Flight

Tips for earning the most free travel over time; Plus, airline and bank cards that go a long way toward a free flight

Yonkers, NY – Airline credit cards and bank cards often offer points toward free air travel, but some will earn card users more free travel than others over time.

The April 2013 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from Consumer Reports, features tips for deciding which card to use when looking for discounted travel and highlights some of the best airline and bank card reward formulas currently available. [Read more]

Consumer Reports finds Hidden Costs in Cell-Phone and Digital-Wallet Payment Services

Survey finds Americans not clamoring to pay with cell phones just yet

Yonkers, NY – While Americans are still using plenty of cash, checks, credit and debit cards to pay their bills, new electronic methods such as paying by cell phone or digital wallets are emerging. Before jumping in, consumers should be aware of the disparity in loss liability and consumer protections they offer, according to Consumer Reports.

CR’s latest investigation into these new payment options finds that banks and technology companies are jostling for a greater share of the $50 billion a year in fees generated by everyday transactions. Some services by PayPal, Obopay, Square, Zong, and FaceCash already allow you to pay for purchases with your cell phone, but so-called digital wallet services are scheduled to hit the market soon. [Read more]

Consumer Reports Survey finds Credit Card issues improving in wake of Credit Card Act of 2009; but some Perils Linger

Report identifies some good cards, and bad.

Yonkers, NY – With the protections of the Credit Card Act of 2009 in full effect, a nationally representative survey shows a slightly lower level of dissatisfaction among Americans with their credit cards than last year. However, credit cards remain one of the lowest-rated services Consumer Reports has ever analyzed; only 45 percent of respondents said they were completely or very satisfied with their cards.

The survey, conducted in July by the Consumer Reports National Research Center also shows that consumers are carrying less credit card debt, with median balances of $3,793— $1,100 lower than in 2009. [Read more]