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Undersecretary Barbara Anthony speaks about the top five consumer complaints of 2011 in Massachusetts. Officials from the Attorney General's Office and the Better Business Bureau as well as consumers speak about how to avoid unfair and deceptive business practices.

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Project Credit Smarts is a program that brings financial education directly to college campuses, talking to students about credit, debt, and the importance of building a strong financial foundation. Watch this video to learn more about Project Credit Smarts. For more on Project Credit Smarts and for other Office of Consumer Affairs videos, visit our YouTube Channel.

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Consumer Affairs Fictional Websites Warn of Cyber Crime

BOSTON – May 15, 2012 -- The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation today announced the creation of several fictional websites that warn internet users of the increasing amount of scams across cyberspace and how to avoid becoming a victim. More Information .

Division of Insurance Rejects FAIR Plan Rate Increase

BOSTON – May 10, 2012 - Joseph G. Murphy, the Commissioner of the Patrick-Murray Administration's Division of Insurance, today issued an order disapproving the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriters Association (“MPIUA”) proposed rate filings for home insurance policies across the state through the FAIR Plan.

The FAIR Plan submitted a filing for a 7.2 percent statewide average rate increase on Nov. 10, 2011 for home, condominium and dwelling fire and extended coverages. This filing proposed a 6.7 percent increase on the Cape and the Islands, and 9.9 percent increases in areas such as New Bedford, Worcester, and Springfield. More Information .

Blue Cross-Blue Shield Revised Filing Drops State Health Insurance Base Rate Average Increase for Small Businesses to Less Than 1 percent

BOSTON - May 3, 2012 - Blue Cross-Blue Shield re-filed its base rate increases for the 3rd quarter, cutting its increase for its HMO from 1.2 percent to 0.2 percent and the increase for its non-HMO product from 2.7 percent to 1.4 percent, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance announced today.

This cut by the largest health insurers in Massachusetts dropped the overall average increase for the small-group health insurance base rate from 1.2 percent to 0.7 percent, according to the DOI. More Information .

Massachusetts Health Insurance Base Rate Increases Average Just 1.2 percent for Third Quarter of 2012, with Tufts and Fallon Filing Reductions

BOSTON - Monday, April 30, 2012 - The Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI) announced today it is placing on file small-group health insurance base rates for the third quarter, with an average increase of just 1.2 percent. Fueled by base rate decreases filed by Tufts and Fallon, this is the second quarter in a row with a less than 2 percent average increase in base rates.

The average increase of base rates has fallen dramatically in the past three years. In the third quarter of 2010, after DOI reached settlements between carriers, rate increases averaged between 8 and 9 percent. Since then, a combination of government action, public leadership and market innovation has made Massachusetts a national leader in controlling health care costs. More Information .

The Massachusetts Community & Banking Council developed a new website to assist consumers in finding banks and bank services and products. Additionally, it provides information on Basic Banking, a program that over 85 banks have signed on to, which provides low-cost banking services and products for consumers that require only limited banking needs. The website can be found at the following address: www.basicbanking.org. Also, click the following link for more information on the Massachusetts Community & Banking Council and the guidelines for the Basic Banking Program: http://mcbc.info/basic_banking.

Encryption a Key Component of Information Security

BOSTON – April, 23, 2012 – A report by the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation reviewed the first four years of data breach notifications and found that encryption is a key – but often lacking – component in information security.

Since Oct. 31, 2007, any entity that had personal information of a Massachusetts resident lost or stolen has been required to notify the Office of Consumer Affairs of the breach. As of Sept. 30, 2011, the Office had received 1,833 breach notices affecting 3,166,031 people. More Information ...

Statement on cellular phone upgrade fees

I am very concerned that consumers have little choice in the cellular phone marketplace except to pay this new activation fee when upgrading to a new phone. With the announcement this week by Verizon, all four cellular phone carriers are charging upgrade fees – in addition to the price of a new phone. More Information .

New Funeral Board Regulations Help Small Businesses, Grow Jobs

BOSTON – April 4, 2012 – As part of Governor Deval Patrick’s initiative to streamline regulations for small businesses to keep Massachusetts ahead of its economic competitors, the Division of Professional Licensure announced today new rules that give funeral homes greater flexibility in hiring workers and give workers expanded employment opportunities.

"Our collective growth and prosperity depends on the growth and prosperity of small businesses," said Governor Patrick. "We can strike a better balance between protecting consumers and enabling entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses here, and government must constantly strive to do so. These changes may seem small, but not to the small businesses that have to deal with them – and we are not stopping here." More Information .

Burlington Consumer Day focused on pocketbook issues

BURLINGTON, March 31, 2012 – Hundreds of Bay State residents received free advice and assistance with personal finance issues ranging from credit card charges to health club scams during Consumer Day at the Burlington Mall. More Information .

Consumer Affairs Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Speak at Suffolk Law Conference

BOSTON, March 23, 2012 - Undersecretary Barbara Anthony and Chief of Staff and General Counsel Diane Lawton of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation spoke today at Suffolk University Law School's conference, "Consumer Product Marketing, Advertising, Distribution and Sales Law." More Information .

Consumer Affairs Advises Taxpayers to Avoid Costly Refund Offers

BOSTON - April 3, 2012 - The Patrick-Murray Administration's Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation today recommended that tax filers avoid so-called Refund Anticipation Loans and Refund Anticipation Checks because the costs attached significantly reduce the size of refunds.

Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) and Refund Anticipation Checks (RACs) promise consumers’ immediate payments for their refunds, but come with costs so high through fees and interest rates that federal regulators have moved to block all RALs by next year. More Information .

Home and Auto Issues Dominate Top 5 Consumer Complaints

BOSTON - March 13, 2012 - The Patrick-Murray Administration’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation today joined leaders from the Attorney General's Office, Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Postal Service and Better Business Bureau to announce each agency's Top 5 consumer issues of 2011 – and offered strategies for consumers to avoid similar pitfalls in the future.

Automobile issues, including insurance claim denials and dealer and service complaints, along with debt collections and scams, were among the top Massachusetts consumer issues of 2011. During the press conference, agency officials were joined by consumers whose knowledge and attention to detail allowed them to recoup thousands of dollars from unscrupulous businesses. More Information .

Free shredding in Cambridge to benefit community

Free public shredding for the public to dispose of unwanted records and documents. This event is held in conjunction with other events during National Consumer Protection Week.

People may want to run their Saturday morning errands and then drop by and safely discard all personal, confidential documents. Material for shredding will be accepted for three hours. More Information

Financial Literacy Survey

Please take this quick, 10-question financial literacy survey ! Test your knowledge of your personal finances and help our office better inform you and other consumers on financial rights and responsibilities. Thank you!

Insurance Commissioner Joseph G. Murphy Elected to Leadership Role in National Association of Insurance Commissioners

BOSTON - February 23, 2012 - Patrick-Murray Administration Commissioner of Insurance Joseph G. Murphy has been elected to the National Association of Insurance Commissioner's Executive Committee and as Chair of the Association's Northeast Zone, expanding his leadership and insight to national insurance issues.

Murphy was elected to the positions during a recent NAIC Commissioners’ Conference. As Chair of the Northeast Zone, Murphy continues in a leadership role in a region that extends through all of New England and down to Washington, D.C. More Information ...

Massachusetts Division of Banks Announces Enhanced Participation in NMLS

BOSTON – February 22, 2012 – Commissioner of Banks David Cotney announced today that starting in April 2012, the Massachusetts Division of Banks will expand its use of the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS).

In addition to mortgage companies and loan originators which are already in the system, NMLS will now be used to manage other non-depository financial services industries, including consumer lending, money services businesses and debt collection. More Information ...

Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine Finds One in Five Inspected Vet Offices Held Expired or Improperly Stored Medicine

BOSTON - February 22, 2012 - A series of inspections by the Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine found that nearly one in five veterinarian offices checked had expired or improperly stored medications on its shelves last year.

Board investigators conducted unannounced, random inspections of medications at 104 veterinary practices across Massachusetts, and violations were found at 20 locations. All 20 locations with violations had expired medication, and one location also had inadequate security measures for controlled substances, which require a prescription to obtain. More Information ...

Office of Consumer Affairs Survey of Over-the-Counter Medication Finds Pharmacies, Name Brands Most Costly

BOSTON - February 22, 2012 - A survey by the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation found pharmacies generally charge more for over-the-counter medication, and name-brands are significantly more expensive than generics.

The survey included over 100 pharmacy, supermarket and big-box locations for six chains across the state, checking prices on eight name-brand and seven generic drugs. The highest average prices of the eight name-brand drugs were all at CVS or Walgreens, and the lowest average prices of the name-brand drugs were at Walmart or Target. For the seven generics, all of the high prices but one was at the pharmacies, and all of the lowest prices were at Walmart or Target. More Information ...

Massachusetts Car Buyers Charged Hundreds in Documentation Fees

BOSTON - February 17, 2012 - Massachusetts car buyers are being charged so-called "documentation preparation" fees that can range as high as $400 supposedly for processing paperwork and storage of documents, according to a state-wide survey by the Office of Consumer Affairs.

The Office of Consumer Affairs surveyed almost 190 car dealerships across the state asking if these fees were charged, the amount and the reasons for the fees. Almost 70 percent of the dealerships called charged the fees, which ranged from $45 to $399, and the many of the reasons given for the fees appeared to be very questionable and literally made up by the auto dealerships. Reasons ranged from a 9/11 security fee to storing documents for eight years at downtown Crossing to paying insurance agents. More Information ...

Survey on Car Dealers Finds Range of Reasons for Document Fees

The Office of Consumer Affairs recently completed a survey of nearly 200 new and used car dealers, checking how much the dealers charge for document fees, and why they charge the fee. The Office found fees can range up to $300 or $400, and reasons run from document storage to stamps and Homeland Security reasons that are not legitimate. For more, watch the Channel 5 story, and view the spreadsheet of results  .

Find 'Consumer Affairs' on Cable Access across Massachusetts

Our TV show, "Consumer Affairs," features the Undersecretary Barbara Anthony discussing various issues that come up monthly concerning consumers in Massachusetts. The show is aired on over 60 local cable channels across the state. The show features guests from government agencies and community organizations who discuss issues such as reverse mortgages, scams targeting senior citizens, and the Patrick-Murray Administration’s foreclosure prevention efforts.

More Information ...

Giving gift cards: What you need to know: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Division of Banks Encourages Taxpayers to Investigate Potential Benefits of Earned Income Tax Credit

BOSTON - January 23, 2012 - The Patrick-Murray Administration's Division of Banks is encouraging low- and moderate-income taxpayers to explore the potential benefits of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, which gave an average of $1,898 to Massachusetts consumers eligible for the benefit last year. This refundable tax credit is intended to help these workers keep more of their income.

January 27 is Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, and the Division of Banks is highlighting the credit to make sure that taxpayers who have not taken advantage of it in the past do so this year. More Information ...

Patriots Fans Considering Super Bowl Trips Should Be Aware of Ticket, Travel Pitfalls

BOSTON - January 23, 2012 - The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation is alerting Patriot fans considering a possible trip to Indianapolis to potential scams and misleading offers in the two weeks leading up the Super Bowl.

Before packing bags for the game, fans considering a trip to the Super Bowl should make sure they are purchasing actual tickets from a legitimate source. Fans should also look into the details of travel packages, making sure tickets are guaranteed and accommodations meet their standards. More Information ...

Massachusetts Auto Insurance Premiums Record Largest Drop in the Nation, According to National Association of Insurance Commissioners

BOSTON – January 18, 2012 – A report published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found Massachusetts personal auto insurance premiums decreased by 12.7 percent between 2007 and 2009, the time period when the Patrick-Murray Administration's Division of Insurance was implementing managed competition in the marketplace.

The report found the average premium from the end of 2007 to the end of 2009 fell from $1,056.91 to $923.11, a $133.80 decrease. Over the same time period, the national average premium decreased by 1.4 percent. Massachusetts' 12.7 percent decrease is the largest drop in the nation over the time period. More Information ...

Division of Insurance Certifies Two Group Purchasing Cooperatives, Creating Options for Small Businesses and Individuals to Potentially Save on Health Insurance

BOSTON - January 3, 2012 - The Patrick-Murray Administration's Division of Insurance today announced it has certified the first two organizations as group purchasing cooperatives, creating another potential avenue for small businesses and individuals to save on health insurance rates.

The group purchasing cooperatives were established in economic development reform legislation signed by Governor Patrick in August 2010. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives have been certified as group purchasing cooperatives, beginning Jan. 1, 2012. More Information ...