Site Archive

Survey Archive

The Survey Archive provides rapid access to all the surveys produced by Consumer Action. This includes credit card, telephone, and banking surveys.

Consumer Action INSIDER - March 2019 The March issue updates readers on the results of our survey on consumer preferences for paper vs. electronic billing; what to do when you've unsubscribed from an email list, but the emails just keep coming; the problems with PACE home improvement loans; and more!
Published: Mar 01, 2019 • Viewed: 0 times

Specialty Consumer Reports Issue (Fall 2014) Consumer Action has compiled information for consumers about "specialty consumer reports.” Like credit reports, these specialized consumer reports gather details about individuals to help companies predict a customer’s risk level to a business. But the existence of these “specialty” reports is not well known among consumers, who stand to lose the most if the reports contain errors or omissions.
Published: Nov 18, 2014 • Viewed: 10350 times

Medical Credit Card Survey Issue (Summer 2014) Being able to borrow the money for a medical or dental procedure rather than deplete savings or forgo needed care sounds like a great option—even better if the lender touts a 0% interest rate. Consumer Action surveyed seven medical credit cards and a handful of medical loan products, some of which offer “interest free” patient financing. See how they stacked up and what you need to know about deferred-interest financing promotions in the Medical Credit Card Survey issue of Consumer Action News.
Published: Jul 22, 2014 • Viewed: 11677 times

Pre-purchase resources (September 2013) Consumer Action has compiled a new Pre-purchase Resource Guide, featured in the latest issue of Consumer Action News, which also includes pointers for checking a professional’s credentials, tips on vetting the research tools you use and information about consumer rights if problems arise. (The PDF file may contain outdated links.)
Published: Sep 23, 2013 • Viewed: 15619 times

Peer-to-Peer Payments Survey (May 2013) In its new survey of the “person-to-person”—P2P—payments industry, Consumer Action compares the ever-evolving ways consumers can electronically fund, send and receive personal payments—often with just a few taps on their smartphone keyboard. We also share the results of our satisfaction survey of consumers who’ve already adopted P2P payments to transfer money to friends, family members, the babysitter and others.
Published: May 31, 2013 • Viewed: 15354 times

2012 Fall Issue: Credit Card Comparison Site Survey Consumer Action looked at 54 sites to determine which ones offer the most useful and complete information to credit card shoppers. To narrow the list, we evaluated them using a checklist of key elements—and 13 met all or most of our criteria. Three sites met all nine criteria.
Published: Oct 31, 2012 • Viewed: 32999 times

Peer-to-Peer Lending Survey (June 2012) Consumer Action compared the three major P2P lending websites—Lending Club, Peerform and Prosper. Promoted as a more accessible and less expensive option for borrowers, P2P loans have their advantages, but they’re not without their costs—and they’re not an option for all consumers. The publication also contains findings from the organization’s research into legitimate loan alternatives for consumers with no credit history or damaged credit who have few, if any, borrowing opportunities. (The PDF file may contain outdated links.)
Published: Jun 21, 2012 • Viewed: 39720 times

Prepaid Card Survey (April 2012) Consumer Action took a look at the market for general purpose reloadable prepaid cards—an alternative to credit and debit cards—and collected our findings in a new survey that examines 28 cards from 11 issuers.
Published: Apr 12, 2012 • Viewed: 43795 times

2011 Fall Issue: Secured Credit Card Survey The Fall 2011 issue of Consumer Action News features our new Secured Credit Card Survey. Secured credit cards are backed by a security deposit that you provide to the card issuer. Terms vary widely among surveyed cards so it pays to compare before you apply for a secured credit card.
Published: Nov 28, 2011 • Viewed: 35484 times

2010-2011 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action's 2010-2011 Credit Card Survey contains information on credit card rates, fees, terms and industry practices for 41 cards from 20 issuers.
Published: Feb 02, 2011 • Viewed: 34520 times

2009 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action's 2009 Credit Card Survey contains information on credit card rates, fees, terms and industry practices for 39 cards from 22 issuers.
Published: Aug 12, 2009 • Viewed: 69584 times

2008 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action's 2008 Credit Card Survey examines 41 cards from 22 financial institutions, including the top 10 U.S. credit card issuers, six low-rate issuers and six large credit unions.
Published: Jul 22, 2008 • Viewed: 48743 times

2007 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action's 2007 Credit Card Survey was conducted between Oct. 9, 2006 and March 2, 2007. Consumer Action examined 83 cards from 20 banks, including the top 10 U.S. credit card issuers. In our new report we detail our findings on change of terms provisions, penalty rate policies, balance transfer costs and offers, fees to pay by phone and to make last-minute payments online, cash advance costs, residual interest and two-cycle billing, minimum ages for authorized users, rewards cards, arbitration clauses and minimum payment formulas.
Published: May 23, 2007 • Viewed: 75771 times

Prepaid Wireless Survey (Fall 2005) Prepaid Wireless Survey: Consumer Action looks at prepaid wireless plans offered by 12 companies and finds that prepaid wireless is a viable option to postpaid plans in terms of price and services. This issue also contains a report on Consumer Action's annual fundraiser.
Published: Dec 12, 2005 • Viewed: 28530 times

2005 Interstate Telephone Rates Survey Consumer Action's new survey of residential phone rates compares 46 long distance domestic calling plans from 22 companies and international calling plans from eight carriers. The study finds new miscellaneous charges, including many non-government-mandated regulatory assessment fees, and steep hikes in the cost of directory assistance, collect calls and calling card calls. The survey includes detailed charts on calling plans, basic rates, directory assistance charges and nationwide cell phone plans with anytime minutes.
Published: Feb 01, 2005 • Viewed: 19468 times

2004 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action examined 140 cards from 45 issuers for its 2004 Credit Card Survey and documented increased penalty fees and rates, "zero interest" introductory offers, cash advance rates, currency conversion fees and rewards cards, among other details of interest to cardholders.
Published: Mar 21, 2004 • Viewed: 25533 times

2004 Residential Telephone Rate Survey Consumer Actions's annual phone survey looks at 47 state-to-state long distance calling plans and 17 local-long distance bundle plans from 22 carriers. This information can help you shop around to cut your residential phone rates.
Published: Feb 02, 2004 • Viewed: 23785 times

2003 Overdraft Protection Survey A new Consumer Action (CA) survey of overdraft protection plans found 25 plans at 26 banks nationwide. This widely available banking option can be a cost-effective way to avoid bounced checks.
Published: Jul 01, 2003 • Viewed: 27620 times

2003 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action surveyed 143 credit cards issued by 47 companies and found growing costs and an increase in anti-consumer practices.
Published: Mar 01, 2003 • Viewed: 25414 times

2002 Long Distance Telephone Rates Survey Consumer Action's annual survey of long distance rates reviewed 21 carriers and 47 discount calling plans, and found a 17% increase in basic per-minute rates along with a significant jump in the cost of calling card calls and collect calls.
Published: Dec 01, 2002 • Viewed: 28451 times

2002 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action surveyed 126 credit cards issued by 42 companies and found growing costs and an increase in anti-consumer practices.
Published: Mar 01, 2002 • Viewed: 22301 times

2001 Long Distance Telephone Rates Survey Consumer Action's annual survey of long distance rates reviewed 19 carriers and 44 discount calling plans, and found a 13% increase in basic per-minute rates along with new and sometimes significantly higher charges, surcharges, and fees.
Published: Sep 01, 2001 • Viewed: 14277 times

2001 Credit Card Survey Consumer Action surveyed 109 credit cards issued by 45 companies and found growing costs and an increase in anti-consumer practices.
Published: Apr 01, 2001 • Viewed: 24516 times

2000 Long Distance Rates Survey Consumer Action's 2000 Long Distance Rates Survey spotlights enormous long distance price increases in the past 10 years for Big Three (AT&T, MCI-WorldCom, and Sprint) customers who don't use a calling plan.
Published: Sep 01, 2000 • Viewed: 12455 times

2000 Online Banking Survey In its new Online Banking Survey, Consumer Action discovered that many virtual banks can save you money in fees and give you much better interest rates, not only on savings accounts, but on checking and money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs).
Published: May 18, 2000 • Viewed: 18476 times