PHOENIX - Thousands of groups solicit for money in Arizona, so it's no easy task keeping tabs on them or figuring out which ones are legitimate. One way is to check a list compiled by the Oregon Attorney General's Office of organizations that spend the lowest percentage of their budgets on the charitable causes they represent.

In fact, an Arizona-based charity, The American Border Patrol, shows up on this year's list of the "20 Worst Charities" compiled by the Oregon Attorney General's Office. These groups spend less than one dollar in four of the donations they receive on their charitable causes.

The American Border Patrol out of Sierra Vista spends less than 21 percent of donations on its cause of border security.

For some of the groups, it isn't their first time on the annual list. For instance, says Jeff Manning of the Oregon Department of Justice, the group that tops this year's tally was number three on last year's list.

"And that's the Law Enforcement Education Program, which spent a grand total of 2.7 percent of its total average expenditures on its actual charitable purpose."

Manning says the list doesn't mean an organization is running a scam, just that three-quarters or more of the donation dollars it receives go to salaries, fundraising and administrative costs, rather than to the cause for which it says it's collecting money.

Others on the list include the Foundation for American Veterans, Disabled Police Officers of America, and the American Medical Research Organization. If some groups' names seem vaguely familiar, Manning says that's intentional. Sounding like a well-known nonprofit makes it easier to persuade people to donate.

He adds they're also good at tugging at heartstrings.

"They tend to pick some sort of cause - be it veterans, or children, or first responders - angles that have a broad emotional appeal. And they sound legit; they do a great job sounding like they're doing a great thing."

The Oregon AG keeps an online database where anyone can check out how much a group raises and spends. Manning says your donation will go further if it's made to an organization that spends at least 65 percent of its money on its charitable purpose. Other online resources for checking out charities include Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.

See the list of the "20 worst" at www.doj.state.or.us.




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Consumer groups are accusing major grocery retailers - like Amazon, Kroger and Walmart - of price gouging, both during and after the pandemic.

The allegation of corporate greed comes after a new report from the Federal Trade Commission found profits for grocery chains jumped sharply, at rates that could not be justified by supply chain disruptions.

Angela Huffman is president of the nonprofit Farm Action.

"It's one thing to raise your prices to cover higher expenses, but what these companies did is use the pandemic as an excuse to exploit the American people who needed to put food on their tables," said Huffman. "And the FTC report shows that they're still doing it, here in 2024."

The report found that retailer profits rose to 6% over total costs in 2021, and 7% in the first three quarters of 2023 - compared to 5.6% in 2015.

According to a report from Help Advisor, California households pay the highest grocery costs in the country, averaging almost $300 a week - about $27 more than the national average.

The Food Industry Association blames today's high prices on high labor costs and credit card payment fees.

Huffman said she thinks the feds should take anti-trust action to increase competition - and consider forcing the grocery behemoths to break up.

"That would be the ideal outcome is to take away their excessive power," said Huffman. "But other than that, these companies can be fined for this kind of price gouging. And that's another action we would support. There needs to be some kind of consequences."

The FTC staff report recommends "further inquiry by the commission and policymakers," but doesn't propose specific remedies.




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Air travelers could face fewer obstacles in securing a refund if their flight is canceled or changed under new federal rules announced Wednesday.

The moves are being praised by watchdog groups. The Department of Transportation said airlines are now required to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when they are owed one.

Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, said some carriers have not adhered to standards, leaving passengers in a bind.

"They would drag their feet, and they would say, 'Well, you bought your ticket from a ticket agent, so we don't know where your money is. Or, here, have a voucher,'" Murray explained.

Amid higher complaint volumes, companies will be forced to act quickly. The new rules, which are being phased in, provide clearer definitions for travel disruptions, including delays of at least three hours on a domestic flight and six hours on international flights. A key industry group responded to the announcement by touting transparency efforts among carriers.

Murray acknowledged most people are not frequent flyers, and it is hard for them to keep up on all the least practices and policies among airlines.

"The average person only flies once every 18 months," Murray pointed out. "This will just bring transparency to that process and it kind of evens the playing field."

Murray added it could come in handy for Midwestern customers when a winter storm wreaks havoc on air travel. The new rules also require refunds for baggage fees when a piece of luggage is delayed by 12 hours or more for domestic flights. And there must be upfront disclosure on fees for first and second checked bags and carry-on bags.


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Wisconsin lawmakers recently debated reforms for payday loans. Efforts to protect consumers come amid new research about financial pain associated with cash advances offered through smartphone apps. The Center for Responsible Lending is out with findings that detail how "earned wage advances" from digital platforms come with extra costs disguised as things like tips. Traditional payday lenders are often criticized for charging excessive interest rates on loans that are usually around $500.

Lucia Constantine, a researcher with the Center for Responsible Lending, said customers are usually seeking smaller amounts from the apps, but she warns they can be just as costly.

"They are trapping consumers in a cycle of borrowing that is similar to that of a payday loan, " she said.

The report said after using these financial products, customers are seeing overdrafts on their checking accounts increase by 56% on average. Industry leaders deny they're barraging consumers with hidden fees, stressing that features such as suggested tips are optional. More broadly, a bipartisan payday loan reform bill in the Wisconsin Legislature failed to advance this month.

Constantine said like longstanding payday lenders, these cash advance apps can be hard to regulate. Meanwhile, she urged those in a bind to explore other options.

"[They should] try talking to their friends and family as a first source. The other option which I would recommend is reaching out to their credit union or banking institution to see if they can get some sort of small-dollar loan," she said.

She noted places such as credit unions typically provide more transparency on loan costs. According to the report, three-quarters of consumers took out at least one advance on the same day or day after a re-payment was posted.


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