💡Quick wins to help you fight back.
From how to spot a scam to sending the perfect cease-and-desist letter, Happy Hour Hacks offers fast, practical tricks for protecting your wallet—and your sanity.
our Data Is Being Sold — Here’s How to Take Back Control
Why This Matters
What’s Really Happening With Your Data
What’s Really Happening With Your Data
08/19/25 - Every time you shop online, download an app, or even walk past a store with Wi-Fi enabled, data about you is being collected. That information — from your shopping habits to your location history — often gets sold to third parties. Companies profit, while most consumers don’t even realize what’s happening.
But here’s the good n
08/19/25 - Every time you shop online, download an app, or even walk past a store with Wi-Fi enabled, data about you is being collected. That information — from your shopping habits to your location history — often gets sold to third parties. Companies profit, while most consumers don’t even realize what’s happening.
But here’s the good news: new state privacy laws are giving consumers more power than ever before to control their data. Knowing your rights is the first step in protecting yourself.
What’s Really Happening With Your Data
What’s Really Happening With Your Data
What’s Really Happening With Your Data
- Retail & Online Shopping: Loyalty cards and online checkout systems track what you buy, when you buy, and how much you spend.
- Apps & Social Media: Free apps often make their money by collecting and selling personal data.
- Smart Devices: Even appliances, cars, and TVs now collect usage data that can be sold to advertisers.
The result? Co
- Retail & Online Shopping: Loyalty cards and online checkout systems track what you buy, when you buy, and how much you spend.
- Apps & Social Media: Free apps often make their money by collecting and selling personal data.
- Smart Devices: Even appliances, cars, and TVs now collect usage data that can be sold to advertisers.
The result? Companies know more about you than you might expect — sometimes even predicting your next purchase before you make it.
New Laws Giving Consumers More Rights
What’s Really Happening With Your Data
New Laws Giving Consumers More Rights
States like California, Colorado, Virginia, Connecticut, and Utah already have consumer privacy laws in effect. More states, including Texas and Florida, are following suit. While the details differ, most of these laws give you rights such as:
- The Right to Know what data companies are collecting and how they use it.
- The Right to Delete cer
States like California, Colorado, Virginia, Connecticut, and Utah already have consumer privacy laws in effect. More states, including Texas and Florida, are following suit. While the details differ, most of these laws give you rights such as:
- The Right to Know what data companies are collecting and how they use it.
- The Right to Delete certain personal data companies hold about you.
- The Right to Opt-Out of your data being sold to third parties.
- The Right to Correct inaccuracies in your information.
- The Right to Access a copy of your data in a portable format.
How You Can Protect Yourself Today
How You Can Protect Yourself Today
New Laws Giving Consumers More Rights
- Check Your State’s Privacy Law: Visit your state’s Attorney General or consumer protection website to see what rights apply where you live.
- Opt-Out Tools: Many states now require companies to provide an easy way to opt out of data sales — look for a “Do Not Sell My Data” or “Privacy Choices” link on websites.
- Use Browser Extensions & Sett
- Check Your State’s Privacy Law: Visit your state’s Attorney General or consumer protection website to see what rights apply where you live.
- Opt-Out Tools: Many states now require companies to provide an easy way to opt out of data sales — look for a “Do Not Sell My Data” or “Privacy Choices” link on websites.
- Use Browser Extensions & Settings: Tools like privacy-focused browsers or ad blockers can limit tracking.
- Review App Permissions: Delete apps you don’t use and turn off permissions that aren’t necessary.
- Submit Requests: If your state law allows, you can formally request that companies delete or stop selling your data.
Bottom Line
How You Can Protect Yourself Today
Bottom Line
Your data has value — and you deserve a say in how it’s used. Companies will continue to collect and sell information unless consumers push back. With new state privacy laws and simple steps you can take right now, you have more control than ever before. Taking charge of your digital footprint isn’t just about protecting your privacy — it
Your data has value — and you deserve a say in how it’s used. Companies will continue to collect and sell information unless consumers push back. With new state privacy laws and simple steps you can take right now, you have more control than ever before. Taking charge of your digital footprint isn’t just about protecting your privacy — it’s about protecting your wallet, your identity, and your future.
🍹 Happy Hour Hacks: Quick Consumer Fixes You’ll Want toast
Fast tips. Big protection. No legal hangover.
You don’t need a law degree (or a full-blown lawsuit) to protect yourself from shady business, annoying collectors, or that suspicious “final notice” text. All you need are a few well-timed moves and the right tools behind the bar.
Here are 5 quick hacks to make the most of your rights
—without breaking a sweat or the bank.
🛑 1. Shut Down Debt Collectors with One Letter
📱 2. Texted Without Consent? Screenshot. You Could Get Paid.
📱 2. Texted Without Consent? Screenshot. You Could Get Paid.
Collectors won’t stop calling? Send them a Cease & Desist letter. Under the FDCPA, once you send it in writing, they have to stop—or risk legal action.
Hack Tip: Use this line in your letter:
“I am requesting that you cease all communication with me about this alleged debt under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.”
📬 Send it certified mail and keep a copy. It’s your legal cocktail umbrella—small, but effective.
📱 2. Texted Without Consent? Screenshot. You Could Get Paid.
📱 2. Texted Without Consent? Screenshot. You Could Get Paid.
📱 2. Texted Without Consent? Screenshot. You Could Get Paid.
If you got a spammy marketing text and you never signed up for it, that’s a TCPA violation. Each message could be worth $500–$1,500.
Hack Tip:
- Take a screenshot with the timestamp
- Text “STOP” if you haven’t already
- Don’t delete anything
Then talk to your favorite legal bartender (hi, that’s us).
🍋 3. Your Car’s a Lemon? Start a Paper Trail.
📱 2. Texted Without Consent? Screenshot. You Could Get Paid.
🍋 3. Your Car’s a Lemon? Start a Paper Trail.
You don’t have to know case law to know something’s not right with your car. If it's always in the shop, you might have a Lemon Law claim.
Hack Tip:
- Keep all repair invoices and service records
- Log the days out of service
- Get everything in writing—even “we couldn’t replicate the problem” notes
The more invoices you save, the stronger your case when it’s time to get squeezed.
🧾 4. Dispute Credit Report Errors Like a Pro
🕵️ 5. Look for Arbitration Clauses Before You Sign
🍋 3. Your Car’s a Lemon? Start a Paper Trail.
Your credit report has a mistake? Don’t just click the “dispute” button online. Write a letter. Under the FCRA, written disputes trigger stronger protections.
Hack Tip:
- Include copies of any proof (bills, letters, screenshots)
- Send to both the credit bureau and the furnishing company
- Demand they respond within 30 days
And yep, you guessed it—send it certified mail. The pen really is mightier than the portal.
🕵️ 5. Look for Arbitration Clauses Before You Sign
🕵️ 5. Look for Arbitration Clauses Before You Sign
🕵️ 5. Look for Arbitration Clauses Before You Sign
Buried in that contract? A tiny clause that says you can’t sue if things go sideways. It’s called a mandatory arbitration clause, and it’s a buzzkill.
Hack Tip:
- Search the document for “arbitration,” “class action waiver,” or “binding”
- If they allow you to opt out in 30 days, DO IT—in writing
- Keep a timestamped copy or screenshot
Opting out now means freedom to fight back later.
🍸 Final Sip
🕵️ 5. Look for Arbitration Clauses Before You Sign
🕵️ 5. Look for Arbitration Clauses Before You Sign
Knowing your rights doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These hacks are small but mighty—and they work. Whether you're dodging robocalls, fending off debt collectors, or questioning your car’s loyalty, remember: you’re not powerless. You’re prepared.
💬 Got a question or a situation brewing? Slide into Ask the Bartender—we’ve got more tricks behind the bar.
Because here at The Consumer Bar, we believe justice should always come with a twist.