PIRG Consumer Watchdog

For more than 40 years, we’ve been educating consumers about how to protect themselves and their rights. We work to get dangerous products off store shelves, to end exploitative practices and ensure a level playing field in the marketplace. Right now, our Watchdog team is focused on consumer threats ranging from data breaches to dangerous toys.

CONSUMER ALERT

Asbestos In Makeup

Independent lab results confirm that makeup sold at Claire’s retail stores across the country is contaminated with asbestos, which causes cancer. We’ve called on Claire’s to recall the contaminated makeup products, and to investigate how those products became contaminated with asbestos. We’re also calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regularly test makeup for asbestos contamination, especially products that contain talc. Learn more.

CONSUMER ALERT

Equifax Data Breach

Equifax lost the critical financial data of more than 147 million Americans. We’re working to make sure that consumers affected by the devastating breach have access to the informational resources they need to prevent new account identity theft. Learn more.

CONSUMER ALERT

Unsafe Children's Products

Our research uncovered fidget spinners sold at Target that had up to 300 times the legal limit for lead in children's projects. Target agreed to stop selling these fidget spinners, but we’re pushing for Target and the toys' manufacturer to issue a full recall. We also uncovered a data-collecting doll that could put children's privacy at risk, and we published a list of previously recalled toys that continue to pose risks to children in their homes. Learn more.

CarMax Selling Defective Cars

CarMax, the nation’s largest retailer of used vehicles, is selling recalled vehicles that contain dangerous safety defects and endanger the lives of drivers, passengers and everyone else who shares the roads. We’re calling on the auto dealer to stop selling vehicles with known safety defects. Learn more.

A Free And Open Internet

New rules by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will effectively end net neutrality. This would allow some companies or internet service providers to decide what information you can access, or give an unfair market advantage to certain products or services. Learn more.

Monitoring Big Data

We don’t hire data collectors to stockpile critical information about our personal lives, but it’s happening every day, and it’s big business. Our researchers monitor the big data dealers to ensure they manage our personal information responsibly.

New Consumer Challenges

In recent years, the administration and lawmakers cut back on vital programs that act as a safety net for consumers. Meanwhile, new products, services and technologies are being introduced into the marketplace every day. Our watchdog work has never been more important.

With your support we are able to:

• Identify emerging threats to consumers, and thoroughly research impacts, solutions and alternatives.

• Get critical information out through our consumer alerts, so consumers can protect themselves and their families.

• Our lawyers, researchers and experts often can work directly with a company, agency or service provider and get them to act in their customers' best interest. When that’s not possible, our team runs public education campaigns to get the word out, so empowered and informed citizens can join us in demanding change.

More Than 40 Years Of Protection

U.S. PIRG Education Fund has been working to protect consumers for more than four decades.

We’ve helped establish identity theft protections in 49 states
Our research has led to the recall of more than 150 unsafe toys
Our public education efforts and reports have resulted in more effective and affordable prescription drugs
And more...

Make a Donation

Our consumer protection work is only made possible by supporters like you. Together, we will continue working for a safer, healthier and more financially secure future. The best way to support our efforts is by making a monthly donation today.

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Consumer Tips & Resources

For more than 40 years, U.S. PIRG Education Fund has worked to alert the public to hidden dangers, anti-consumer practices and unsafe products. Here we’ve assembled some of our most frequently requested resources.

Our watchdog team stands up for the interests of consumers

CONSUMER ALERT

Asbestos In Makeup

CONSUMER ALERT

Equifax Data Breach

CONSUMER ALERT

Unsafe Children's Products

CarMax Selling Defective Cars

A Free And Open Internet

Monitoring Big Data

This Earth Day