By Puru Gaur, Georgia Watch Intern, Emory MPH Candidate Highlighting the Unequal Impacts of an Unprecedented Pandemic We are mindful that a public health crisis like COVID-19 disproportionately impacts marginalized and under-resourced communities that have...
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By Jessica Savage – WTOC (watch here) SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Consumer advocates warn those who are in a vulnerable financial position to avoid high-interest loans offering fast cash. “It truly is the vehicle these high-cost predatory lenders...
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By JoAnn Merrigan – WSAV (Watch Now) SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The physical health of many has been ravaged by the COVID-19 crisis, but it’s also affecting financial health. According to a new report from Bankrate, only 39 percent of...
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By Tony Romm – Washington Post This Tuesday marked 67 days of darkness for Kenneth Parson. He fell behind on his utility bills in the spring — and his lights went off, and stayed off, starting at the end of July. No power meant no refrigerator, so...
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In a COVID-19 Stakeholder Interview, Liz Coyle discusses the numerous challenges consumers are facing in Georgia during the COVID-19 pandemic, including rising bills, unemployment and utility disconnections. Coyle provides suggestions about how electricity...
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By Harry Samler – CBS46 (Watch Now) ATLANTA, Ga. — Fred Stein is a furloughed construction coordinator. He and forty of his colleagues have been waiting for benefits since April. That would be state unemployment plus the $600 weekly supplement...
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By Molly Samuel – WABE (Listen Now) Wykeisha Howe said she knows how to be thrifty. “I try my best to manage and ration out things as best as possible,” she said. During Atlanta’s sweltering summers, the mom of eight doesn’t turn the AC down too much...
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By Harry Samler – CBS46 (Watch Now) ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) — With the $600 federal supplement payments scheduled to end this weekend, unemployed Georgians may be looking for more help to pay their bills. Better Call Harry and the consumer...
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By Asa Aarons Smith – WJCL (Watch Now) SAVANNAH, Ga. (WJCL) —Millions of Americans have experienced job or income loss because of the coronavirus pandemic. If you’re among them and thinking of taking out a car pawn title loan to help with expenses...
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By Mary Landers – Savannah Morning News A pandemic-related moratorium on power shutoffs expires Wednesday, Georgia Power reminded its customers in a press release issued Tuesday. For customers who accumulated a past-due balance during the COVID-19...
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By Stanley Dunlap – Georgia Recorder Georgia Power can recover $7.7 million it spent on COVID-19 safety expenses, but drew criticism over the message that it sends when it sticks customers with the tab. This week’s 3-2 vote by the Georgia Public...
More infoCrucial Georgia Usury Cap Should Be Expanded to Protect Consumers from the Debt Trap ATLANTA, GA – Yesterday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) eliminated consumer protections against predatory payday and car title lenders...
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