National Consumers League statement on Myspace data breach – National Consumers League

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June 7, 2016

Contact: NCL Communications, Cindy Hoang, cindyh@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—In the wake of a reportedly record-setting breach of 360 million accounts at Myspace, the National Consumers League is advising current and former users of the social networking site to change the passwords on sensitive accounts, particularly if they reused their Myspace account credentials across multiple websites. NCL is also advising Myspace users to remain vigilant for possible phishing attacks in the coming weeks.

The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, NCL vice president of public policy, telecommunications, and fraud:

“The Myspace data breach is possibly the largest password breach in history and comes directly on the heels of a large data breach at LinkedIn where 167 million account credentials were compromised. In the coming weeks, consumers should be on the lookout for phishing emails which are typically utilized by hackers in the aftermath of data breaches. These emails may bear the official Myspace logo, and will lure individuals  to fake websites to collect further personal data in the hopes of stealing their identity, or will direct users to click on virus laden links by posing as a breach notification email.”

“The recent slew of data breaches highlights the continued necessity for Congressional action to keep consumers’ data safe. NCL continues to urge Congress to pass long-stalled legislation that creates a floor of protections for consumers and require organizations to notify data breach victims as soon as a breach occurs so that consumers can take the necessary steps to protect their identity.” 

To safeguard their data, NCL recommends that consumers take steps to protect themselves including:

  1. Do not reuse passwords across different websites.  Reusing passwords allows hackers access to several accounts should one account be compromised by a data breach.
  2. If old accounts at websites like Myspace are no longer being used, it is advisable to delete them. To learn how to delete a Myspace account, click here.
  3. Opt-in to multi-factor authentication whenever possible. TwoFactorAuth.org is a good resource for finding out which services offer multi-factor authentication to their users.
  4. Use strong, tough to break passwords. Strong passwords are longer and utilize both uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers.

NCL’s flagship consumer fraud education website, Fraud.org, features a “Latest Breaches” section, a resource where consumers can find dependable information about particular breaches, including links to official information from the breached entities and tips to protect sensitive data after a breach. Check it out here.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL joins education campaign to help seniors safely buy drugs online – National Consumers League

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counterfeit_Drugs_icon.jpgThis week, the National Consumers League (NCL) joined forces with the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), and the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) in launching a campaign to educate seniors and their caregivers about the health and financial risks associated with buying prescription medicines from illegal or rogue online pharmacies.Over the last century, the number of Americans aged 65 and older has increased exponentially, and studies show that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future. While the elderly are living longer, many older adults depend on a multitude of prescription drugs to maintain their quality of life and to combat many of the problems that may arise with aging, such as chronic diseases. Approximately nine out of 10 older adults have at least one chronic disease, and nine out of 10 older Americans rely on at least one prescription medication on a regular basis. As adults 65 and older account for over one-third of all prescription medications and with many seniors living on fixed incomes, it is not surprising that they are looking for opportunities to purchase their necessary medications at cheaper prices.

Unfortunately, seniors are particularly vulnerable to unknowingly purchasing counterfeit drugs in an effort to find a more convenient and affordable means to obtain the medications they need. Of course, there are many online pharmacies that operate legally and are perfectly safe. However, there are many rogue online pharmacy sites that sell potentially dangerous, or even deadly, drugs that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness.

Many of these sites operate under the guise of being a legal, safe, and often cheaper alternative to purchasing a prescription from a retail or mail-order pharmacy. But in reality, they often sell drugs that contain the wrong active ingredient, the wrong amount of the active ingredient, no active ingredient at all, harmful ingredients, or even poisons. As an increasing number of older adults are being introduced to the Internet, it is important that they are educated on the risks associated with purchasing their prescriptions online.

To fill this knowledge gap, the National Consumers League is pleased to be collaborating with the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies and the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies to not only educate seniors and their caregivers about online pharmacies, but also empower them to make safe and informed decisions when shopping for prescription drugs online. Counterfeit drugs have long been an area of great concern for NCL, and we are enthusiastic about contributing to this joint effort to keep older Americans safe online.

To stay safe, seniors and their caregivers should avoid websites that:

  1. Do not require a valid prescription.
  2. Allow you to buy prescription medications by simply completing an online questionnaire.
  3. Offer drastically discounted prices.
  4. Do not have a licensed pharmacist available for consultation.
  5. Do not display a physical street address.
  6. Offer to ship prescriptions from other countries to the U.S.
  7. Are not verified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).

Consumers are encouraged to buy from sites ending in .pharmacy, which are verified by NABP. In addition, online pharmacies that display the VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) seal have successfully undergone NABP’s rigorous screening process.

For more information about illegal online pharmacies and counterfeit medicines, consumers should visit www.XtheRisk.com. For additional information on health fraud and tips on how to protect yourself from the dangers of counterfeit drugs, visit Fraud.org.

Rising drug costs attract seniors to illegal online pharmacies: ASOP Global, CSIP, and NCL join forces to keep older Americans safe – National Consumers League

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June 6, 2016

Contact: ECI Communications, Caren Kagan Evans, caren_kaganevans@ecicommunications.com, 301-998-6114, 301-467-6337 (cell), or ECI Communications, Rachel Evans, rachel.evans@ecicommunications.com, 301-998-6114, 301-467-6167 (cell), or NCL Communications, Cindy Hoang, cindyh@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—With an estimated 49.5% growth of the U.S. senior population by 2030 and out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries skyrocketing*, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) and National Consumers League (NCL) are joining forces to educate seniors and their caregivers about the health and financial risks associated with buying prescription medicines from illegal or rogue online pharmacies.

“10,000 people turn 65 years of age every day in the U.S.,” explained ASOP Global Executive Director Libby Baney. “Escalating costs for hundreds of drugs prescribed to treat chronic conditions not necessarily covered fully by Medicare make it more likely that seniors, who often are living on fixed incomes, will turn to the Internet to look for less expensive options. For twelve specialty drugs used to treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and Hepatitis C, Medicare Part D enrollees face at least $4,000 and as much as nearly $12,000 in annual out-of-pocket costs in 2016 for one drug alone,” she added.

A recent review of more than 11,000 websites selling prescription medications online to U.S. consumers found approximately 96% do not comply with U.S. laws and 50% of medicines sold online are fake or counterfeit.  They contain little or no active ingredients and/or dangerous and often deadly poisons, including floor wax, mercury, concrete, chalk, boric acid, road tar, paint or anti-freeze. Interpol estimates that counterfeit medicines are responsible for up to one million deaths annually worldwide.

“Our research shows that lower prices and convenience of shopping online are the two biggest factors driving consumers to the Internet, making older Americans easy targets for illegal online drug sellers offering ‘too good to be true’ discounts for fake or unapproved versions of the lifesaving medicines they depend on,” said Marjorie Clifton, executive director of the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies. “The criminal networks who develop fake websites have become very savvy in creating sites that are difficult to detect by even the most sophisticated consumers and law enforcement. This is why it is imperative that consumers are informed and our organizations are working together to do everything they can to shut down illegitimate sites.”

The majority of older Americans own a computer, smartphone or tablet and almost 60% of older Americans use the Internet on a regular basis.  Financial scams aimed at seniors, including counterfeit medicines sold online, are so prevalent that they are now considered “the crime of the 21st century” by the National Council on Aging.

“In addition to the health risks associated with buying prescription medicines online, the threat is further exacerbated by the fact that unknowing seniors provide these criminals with personal and credit card information, putting them at risk for fraud and identity theft,” said Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League.

* In a 2016 AARP report, the average cost for a year’s supply of the 622 prescription medicines most widely used by people over the age of 65 doubled between 2007 and 2013 to more than $11,000 – almost half of the median income for Medicare beneficiaries. 

How to stay safe online

To stay safe seniors and their caregivers should avoid websites that: (1) do not require a valid prescription; (2) sell prescription medications simply by completing an online questionnaire; (3) offer drastically discounted prices; (4) do not have a licensed pharmacist available for consultation; (5) do not display a physical street address; (6) offer to ship prescriptions from other countries to the U.S.; and (7) are not verified by the National Association of State Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).

Consumers are encouraged to buy from sites ending in .pharmacy (e.g., “www.340B.pharmacy), which are verified by NABP.  In addition, online pharmacies that display the VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) Seal have successfully undergone NABP’s rigorous screening process.

For more information about illegal online pharmacies and counterfeit medicines, consumers should visit www.XtheRisk.com.  For help paying for prescriptions, seniors or caregivers should contact Needy Meds or the Partnership for Prescription Assistance.

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About the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global)

Founded in 2009, the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies is an international 501(c)(4) social welfare organization dedicated to protecting patient safety globally and ensuring access to safe and legitimate online pharmacies in accordance with applicable laws.

About the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP)

The Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 and represents the technology sector and Internet intermediaries.  CSIP’s mission is to promote best practices in the technology and commerce industries and educate consumers about safe shopping online.

About the National Consumers League (NCL)

The National Consumers League (NCL) has been representing consumers and workers on marketplace and workplace issues since 1899. One of NCL’s long-term projects is the Fraud Center (www.fraud.org), which was launched in 1992 to give consumers the information they need to avoid becoming victims of telemarketing and Internet fraud.

NCL issues warning to teens: Avoid these most dangerous summer jobs – National Consumers League

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June 3, 2016

Contact: NCL Communications, Cindy Hoang, cindyh@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—As millions of American teenagers begin summer jobs this month, a national child labor watchdog group is issuing a warning to avoid this year’s most dangerous seasonal work. The National Consumers League (NCL), the country’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy group, founded in 1899 to fight child labor, issued its annual report on the worst jobs for teens, with work in tobacco fields topping the list.

“Nearly 5,000 workers die on the job each year in the United States, an average of 13 workers a day. Tragically, some of those workers are teenagers,” said NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg. “Summer jobs are a great American tradition, a wonderful learning and earning opportunity. But each teen worker death causes irreparable suffering and pain to the families, friends, and communities of these youth. Today we issue our annual warning to serve as a reminder to teens and parents that there are jobs that pose extreme risks to youth workers and should be avoided at all costs.”

Thousands of American children are hurt on the job each year, approximately one every 9 minutes, according to the Children’s Safety Network. In a typical year, 20-30 U.S. children will die on the job, although the statistics are generally trending in the right direction; 20 years ago, that number was 70+ per year. In 2012, 29 children died while working. In 2013, that number fell sharply to 14, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Unfortunately, progress isn’t always steady. The teen work death toll increased from 14 in 2013 to 21 in 2014—the latest year for which we have data. “We hope that the increase does not represent a trend,” said Greenberg.

The 2016 report names five job categories that present an above average risk of injury or fatality. It also provides practical advice for staying safe as well as tips for parents and employers to help make teen work safer.

NCL’s 2016 Five Most Dangerous Jobs for Teens 

  • Tobacco harvester
  • Agriculture: Harvesting crops and using machinery
  • Traveling youth sales crews
  • Construction and height work
  • Outside helper: Landscaping, grounds keeping and lawn service 

“Many teens lack the experience and sense of caution needed to protect themselves from dangerous conditions on the job,” said Reid Maki, director of child labor advocacy and report author. “In addition, they are often reluctant to challenge authority or  ask for safety information. Their judgment and ability to exercise caution is still developing. Parents should keep a close eye on the type of work their children perform and encourage kids to tell their employer, ‘I’m sorry, that seems dangerous.’”

NCL’s Five Most Dangerous Jobs for Teens encourages youth workers to say “no” when certain dangerous tasks are requested. NCL includes the following blacklist of jobs that involve any of the following tasks:

  • door-to-door sales, especially out of the youth’s neighborhood;
  • long-distance traveling away from parental supervision;
  • extensive driving or being driven;
  • driving forklifts, tractors, and other potentially dangerous vehicles;
  • the use of dangerous machinery;
  • the use of chemicals;
  • working in grain storage facilities; and
  • work on ladders or roofs or other work that involves heights where there is a risk of falling.

Recent on-the-job deaths of American teens

Over time, government agencies, NCL, and other youth advocates have tracked the categories of jobs that have proved most dangerous to teens, and NCL’s report is intended to make teens and their parents aware of those dangers. However, teens are injured and even killed working jobs that don’t fall into the most dangerous jobs categories.

  • Farmhand Heather Marie Barley, 17, of Buckley, Michigan, died suddenly while working on a hog farm in December 2015. Elevated levels of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide were suspected to have come from a steam generator connected to a pressure washer.
  • On his first day on the job feeding tree limbs into a wood chipper, in December 2015, 19-year-old Mason Cox in Gastonia, North Carolina died instantly when his body was pulled into the chipper. His employer was so disturbed by the incident that he had a heart attack.
  • December 2015: 19-year-old Oscar Martin-Refugio was shot in the heart by robbers as he worked in a Bridgeport, Connecticut pizza shop. He died soon after.
  • Grant Thompson, 18, died from a snakebite while working in his parents’ pet shop in Austin, Texas in July 2015.
  • In October 2014, 18-year-old Jeremy McSpadden, Jr., of Spokane Valley, Washington was working as an actor at a Halloween haunted hayride when he died tragically after losing his footing and falling under the rear wheel of a bus.

To read the full report, click here (PDF).

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League (NCL), founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. NCL chairs the Child Labor Coalition, which seeks to remove children from work that threatens their health or development. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org or www.stopchildlabor.org.

Teens: avoid this year’s most dangerous summer work – National Consumers League

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92_help_wanted.jpgIt’s that time of year again: teens are starting their summer jobs. Having a job can be an important part of youth development, but the worst work – the ones on this year’s Five Most Dangerous Teen Jobs – should be avoided! Jobs for teens are an important part of growing up and becoming an adult, providing both needed income and teaching valuable work skills. According to research, teen jobs increase future earnings and also decrease the likelihood the working teen will drop out of school.

Jobs for teens are an important part of growing up and becoming an adult, providing both needed income and teaching valuable work skills. According to research, teen jobs increase future earnings and also decrease the likelihood the working teen will drop out of school. The National Consumers League (NCL) provides its annual update of its Five Most Dangerous Jobs for Teens to help teenagers and their parents make safer job choices and to increase awareness of job dangers they may encounter.

Each day in America, a teen is hurt on the job every 9 minutes. In a typical year, a U.S. child dies nearly every 14 days at work.

NCL’s Five Most Dangerous Jobs for Teens in 2016:

  • Tobacco Harvester
  • Agriculture: Harvesting Crops and Using Machinery
  • Traveling Youth Sales Crews
  • Construction and Height Work
  • Outside Helper: Landscaping, Grounds keeping and Lawn Service

These five jobs hold special dangers for working youth. The dangers of each job are explored in the report and real life examples of what can go wrong when teens are not protected in the workplace are given. Agriculture, construction, landscaping, and machinery operators all experience much higher occupational injury and fatality rates. And traveling sales crews expose vulnerable working teens to many dangers including vehicle accidents, arrest, sexual exploitation, and workplace violence.

Teen workers are dying

  • Farmhand Heather Marie Barley, 17, of Buckley, Michigan died suddenly while working on a hog farm in December 2015. Elevated levels of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide were suspected to have come from a steam generator connected to a pressure washer.
  • On his first day on the job feeding tree limbs into a wood chipper, in December 2015, 19-year-old Mason Cox in Gastonia, North Carolina died instantly when his body was pulled into the chipper. His employer was so disturbed by the incident that he had a heart attack.
  • December 2015: 19-year-old Oscar Martin-Refugio was shot in the heart by robbers as he worked in a Bridgeport, Connecticut pizza shop. He died soon after.
  • Grant Thompson, 18, died from a snakebite while working in his parents’ pet shop in Austin, Texas in July 2015.
  • In October 2014, 18-year-old Jeremy McSpadden, Jr., of Spokane Valley, Washington was working as an actor at a Halloween haunted hayride when died tragically after losing his footing and falling under the rear wheel of a bus. 

Tips for teen workers

NCL’s Five Most Dangerous Jobs for Teens provides practical tips for teenagers considering their job choices and practical suggestions for parents so that they can talk to their sons and daughters and instill a sense of safety consciousness that will help protect them on the job, empowering them to ask for needed safety training and say “no” when dangerous tasks are requested.

Say “no” to jobs that involve:

  • door-to-door sales, especially out of the youth’s neighborhood;
  • long-distance traveling away from parental supervision;
  • extensive driving or being driven;
  • driving forklifts, tractors, and other potentially dangerous vehicles;
  • the use of dangerous machinery;
  • the use of chemicals;
  • working in grain storage facilities; and
  • work on ladders or work that involves heights where there is a risk of falling.

Know the legal limits
To protect young workers like you, state and federal laws limit the hours you can work and the kinds of work you can do. For state and federal child labor laws, visit Youth Rules.

Play it safe
Always follow safety training. Working safely and carefully may slow you down, but ignoring safe work procedures is a fast track to injury. There are hazards in every workplace — recognizing and dealing with them correctly may save your life.

Ask questions
Ask for workplace training — like how to deal with irate customers or how to perform a new task or use a new machine. Tell your supervisor, parent, or other adult if you feel threatened, harassed, or endangered at work.

Make sure the job fits
If you can only work certain days or hours, if you don’t want to work alone, or if there are certain tasks you don’t want to perform, make sure your employer understands and agrees before you accept the job.

Trust your gut
Following directions and having respect for supervisors are key to building a great work ethic. However, if someone asks you to do something that feels unsafe or makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it. Many young workers are injured — or worse — doing work that their boss asked them to do.

One safety expert suggests that if a job requires safety equipment other than a hard hat, goggles, or gloves, it’s not appropriate for minors.

The CDC has advised NCL that whenever machinery is located in the workplace, youth workers need to exercise extra caution.

Consumer groups oppose H.R, 5230, demand real protection from pyramid schemes – National Consumers League

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June 2, 2016

Contact: NCL Communications, Cindy Hoang, cindyh@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League, and four national consumer groups, today called on members of the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose H.R. 5230, the Anti-Pyramid Promotional Scheme Act of 2016. The bill, which is currently pending before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, purports to strengthen consumer protections from fraudulent pyramid schemes. In reality, it would rob the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of its ability to protect Americans from all but the most egregious forms of pyramid schemes.

The FTC has consistently stated that a critical difference between a legitimate multi-level marketing (MLM) business and a pyramid scheme is that an MLM succeeds primarily by retailing products and services. In contrast, an illegal pyramid scheme incentivizes recruitment over retail sales and induces participants to focus on recruiting distributors who typically must pay to join the business opportunity. This characterization has been developed and embraced by over 40 years of case law. Unfortunately, H.R. 5230 would remove this core tenet and instead provide numerous carve outs and exemptions for pyramid schemes masquerading as MLMs.

“Despite its positive name, H.R. 5230 undercuts the FTC’s ability to protect consumers from pyramid schemes disguised as legitimate direct sellers,” said John Breyault, NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud. “Consumers should not be put at risk by legislation designed to give a pass to all but the most blatant pyramid schemes.” 

The groups cited numerous ways that the bill would weaken current prohibitions on pyramid scheme activity, including: 

  • Relieving MLMs of the need to have actual customers outside the distributor network. This would allow MLM operators to simply sell distributors on the idea of joining an endless chain, instead of operating their own retail business.
  • Allowing an MLM parent company to profit off a churning base of recruits who, in an effort to qualify for rewards, are urged repeatedly to purchase directly from the parent company.
  • Eliminating anti-pyramiding safeguards that were put in place after the FTC’s landmark 1979 Amway decision. Those important consumer protections require companies that want to be regarded as legitimate MLMs ensure that sales by distributors are made primarily to customers outside of the distribution network.
  • Giving MLMs permission to engage in purchase and recruiting behaviors the courts have already identified as endemic to illegal pyramid schemes.

Signatories of the letter included Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Watchdog, the National Consumers League and U.S. PIRG.

To read the full letter, click here.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL calls on FCC to require strong data security rules for Internet service providers – National Consumers League

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May 27, 2016

Contact: NCL Communications, Cindy Hoang, cindyh@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization, has submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to the FCC’s broadband privacy notice of proposed rulemaking.

Should an internet service provider (ISP) data breach occur, the personal information of millions of consumers including their browsing history, could fall into the hands of hackers and identity thieves. Because of this risk, NCL has called for ISPs, and the third parties that they share their data with, to be subject to robust data security rules including:

  • Mandating that broadband internet access services (BIAS) providers implement high, minimum baseline data security measures such as multi-factor authentication;

  • Limiting the collection of consumers’ personal data, such as their browsing history; and

  • Mandatory breach notification to consumers should their data be compromised.

ISPs are in a unique position in the Internet ecosystem. Due to the large amounts of consumer data that flows across their networks, there is a heightened risk to consumers should those networks be compromised in a data breach. NCL has long advocated for a comprehensive data security and breach notification law that covers all entities that collect, store and use consumers’ data. The FCC’s proposed rules are an important first step in that direction, requiring a key player in the Internet ecosystem to abide by strong data security and privacy rules.

“Given the sensitive nature of the data ISPs have access to and the growing number of data breaches affecting consumers, it is imperative that ISPs be required to do all they can to protect the privacy and security of their customers’ data,” stated John Breyault, NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud. “We commend the FCC for taking action to require that ISPs abide by strong and comprehensive data security and breach notifications rules.”

To read NCL’s full comments, click here.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

National Consumers League statement on end of Verizon strike – National Consumers League

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May 28, 2016

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832 

Washington, DC–The National Consumers League today applauded the news that the 45-day work stoppage at Verizon has reached a successful conclusion. The following statement  is attributable to Sally Greenberg, executive director of NCL:

“The agreement in principle to resolve the concerns of striking workers from CWA and IBEW is an example of how business and labor can come together for mutual benefit.  Giving workers a seat at the table is in the best tradition of American commerce. Good jobs with good wages and benefits help working families do well, which benefits the overall economy. We applaud, in particular, the assistance of a talented and determined Secretary of Labor in helping the parties reach this important agreement.”

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

NCL’s Breyault testifies in support of legislation to reform the rigged live event ticket industry – National Consumers League

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May 24, 2016

Contact: Cindy Hoang, National Consumers League, cindyh@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832 

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization, today testified before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade in support of legislation to reform a live event ticketing marketplace that is rigged against fans.

Currently, less than half of available tickets go up for sale to the general public for a typical event. For example, less than 300,000 of Adele’s 750,000 available tickets from her 2016 North American Tour were made available to the general public. The majority of tickets are diverted to fanclubs, premium credit card holders, and the stars themselves, who often scalp their own tickets on the secondary market. Of the minority of tickets that ever make it to general sale, Ticketmaster has stated that 60 percent of those tickets may be purchased by sophisticated computer programs called “bots” that can electronically jump the line to buy hundreds or thousands of tickets in a matter of seconds. Those tickets are then resold through brokers at greatly inflated prices.

“The modern ticket-buying experience is too often an exercise in frustration for fans who want only to see their favorite artists or sports teams at a fair price,” said John Breyault, NCL’s vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud, who spoke at the hearing. “Due to a backdoor system of private sales, secret ticket diversions, rampant use of ticket-buying ‘bots’ and unscrupulous broker practices, the average music and sports fan falls victim to a rigged system. To address the broken ticket marketplace, Congressional action is sorely needed.”

NCL spoke in support of H.R. 5245, the Better Oversight of Secondary Sales and Accountability in Concert Ticketing Act of 2016 (“BOSS ACT”), introduced by Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ). The BOSS ACT offers comprehensive solutions that will significantly improve fan ticket buying experiences. By requiring greater transparency in the primary ticketing market, prohibiting egregious broker practices like undisclosed speculative ticketing, and limiting the ability of connected insiders to divert tickets to the secondary market, the BOSS ACT would lead to critical structural reforms in the ticketing marketplace.

To access Breyault’s full testimony, click here.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

LifeSmarts students recognized for community service leadership with Safety Smart® scholarships – National Consumers League

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May 24, 2016

National Consumers League-UL partnership brings science, health, safety, citizenship lessons to elementary classrooms via teen leadership program

Contact: National Consumers League, Cindy Hoang, cindyh@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—LifeSmarts, the national consumer literacy educational program and scholarship opportunity for students in grades 6-12, has announced this year’s group of students who have been awarded scholarships for their outstanding participation in its Safety Smart® Ambassador program, a community service project offered to students in partnership with UL. The Safety Smart Ambassador program is a service learning and leadership opportunity, which enables teens to teach elementary-level educational lessons to younger students on topics ranging from health and safety to citizenship. Safety Smart is a UL-created program that, in the last three years, has been made available to LifeSmarts participants.

This year, LifeSmarts participants from 21 states participated in Safety Smart Ambassador program, making 130 presentations to 3,150 young children during March and April. This year’s six scholarship winners, chosen among 25 entries, hail from schools across the country and each received a $1,000 post-secondary scholarship. Winners were chosen based on applications judged for criteria including evidence of personal growth, size of audiences presented to, number of presentations, and the quality of presentations.

“For the past three years LifeSmarts has partnered with UL on its Safety Smart Ambassador program to provide a way for LifeSmarts students to give back through community service,” said Lisa Hertzberg, LifeSmarts program director. “LifeSmarts students become Safety Smart Ambassadors by delivering interactive safety messages to younger children in their communities, and we were so pleased at their participation and leadership.”

2016 LifeSmarts Safety Smart scholarship recipients

  • Luke Dyer, Blair Oaks High School, Jefferson City, MO (two-year scholarship recipient)
  • David Korn, Flagstaff Home Educators, Flasgstaff, AZ
  • Austin Lin, Salesianum School, Wilmington, DE
  • Mary Pennington, Indiana Academy of Science, Mathematics, and Humanities, Muncie, IN
  • Kyle Schulte, Blair Oaks High School, Jefferson City, MO
  • Abigail Taylor, Iola High School, Iola, KS

“The LifeSmarts students who become Safety Smart Ambassadors not only develop leadership skills, but they gain a deeper understanding of environmental, health, and safety issues. This prepares them to perform better in both LifeSmarts competition and in real life,” said Hertzberg. “The LifeSmarts-Safety Smart partnership is win-win.”

“At UL, we truly appreciate this partnership with LifeSmarts and the opportunity to get our Safety Smart messages into communities across the country, via some of America’s brightest youth ‘Ambassadors,’” said Cara Gizzi, Director Safety Education & Outreach. “It is inspiring to see LifeSmarts students embrace the Safety Smart Ambassador program, and to provide education and mentoring to younger children, while learning about themselves in the process.”

Six additional $1000 scholarships will be awarded in December 2016. For more information, visit LifeSmarts.org/SafetySmart.

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About LifeSmarts and the National Consumers League

LifeSmarts is a program of the National Consumers League. State coordinators run the programs on a volunteer basis. For more information, visit: www.lifesmarts.org, email lifesmarts@nclnet.org or call the National Consumers League’s communications department at 202-835-3323.

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

About UL

UL is a premier global independent safety science company that has championed progress for more than 120 years. Its nearly 11,000 professionals are guided by the UL mission to promote safe working and living environments for all people. UL uses research and standards to continually advance and meet ever-evolving safety needs. We partner with businesses, manufacturers, trade associations and international regulatory authorities to bring solutions to a more complex global supply chain. For more information about our certification, verification, validation, testing, inspection, advisory and education services, visit https://www.UL.com.