Buying a car is fraught with pitfalls where anyone must tread carefully and thoroughly sleuth out hidden mechanical and financial defects. Indeed, it sounds as though your brother has been taken for a ride by a predatory auto loan. According to information found an organization that provides help and information about loans and managing debt - predatory lending is any lending practice that convinces a borrower to accept unfair terms through deceptive, coercive, exploitative or unscrupulous actions for a loan that the borrower doesn't need, doesn't want, or can't afford. In recent years, such sub-prime auto loans have soared, and now state and federal agencies are starting to look into some big name lenders who cater to people with less-than-perfect credit records..–A majority of older voters think Social Security should be strengthened, but are opposed to cutting benefits, says a national survey by The Senior Citizens League. The new national survey found that older voters favor some changes that provide the program with more revenue, and provide retirees with modestly higher benefits in the future. According to TSCL's 2016 Senior Survey, 71 percent of older voters think Social Security should be expanded to provide modestly higher retirement benefits and more fair cost of living adjustments. An analysis for TSCL estimates that if COLAs were indexed using a "senior" consumer price index - the government's Consumer Price Index for the Elderly - Social Security recipients would receive a 1.3 percent increase instead of an estimated 0.2 percent COLA in 2017..Patients would have to sign a consent form acknowledging they've been given written notice with the information and informed that the charges may not accrue toward any plan limitations..Several controversial policy riders are currently acting as hurdles in the discussions. Many are pushing to revive expired tax breaks for businesses, while some are hoping to put an end to restrictions that ban the exportation of crude oil. Other potential riders include changes to the Dodd-Frank financial regulation law, new research on gun violence, and an extension of health benefits for 9/11 first responders..This week, lawmakers in the House remained in their home districts to continue the summer recess. They are expected to return to Capitol Hill next Tuesday, September 4th. In the days ahead, many Members of Congress will be attending local events and hosting town hall meetings in their home districts. The Senior Citizens League encourages its supporters to attend these events and to ask important questions of their elected officials, like the following five..The "Notch" refers to a disparity in benefits that resulted when Congress changed the Social Security benefit formula in 197The changes affected seniors who became entitled to Social Security just two years later. The group born from 1917 through 1926 are known as "Notch Babies" because they receive lower Social Security benefits than other individuals with similar earnings histories..Also this week, one new cosponsor in the Senate signed on to Sen. John Kerry's Social Security Fairness Act, bringing the total up to eighteen. The new cosponsor is Sen. Debbie Stabenow..According to a report from the Senate Special Committee on Aging released this year, older Americans lose approximately billion each year to financial scams and abuse. It's appalling. It's offensive. It's unacceptable. And I'm working to do something about it..In fact, according to research by The Senior Citizens League, homeowner's insurance has grown 199 percent since 2000, making it one of the fastest growing costs that retirees face, second only to prescription drug costs. Joe reports that his homeowners and car insurance have increased every renewal period over the past two years. His homeowner's premiums rose from ,284 a year to ,566, an increase of 22 percent. Joe's auto insurance premiums increased 0 over the last four renewal periods, which are every six months, despite no tickets or accidents. Government subsidized FEMA flood insurance this year increased 7.4%.