Consumer Alert

How often should you wash your clothes? These are the top mistakes

Even though people may be doing five loads of laundry a week, there is a chance they are doing it wrong.

Looking for a side hustle? Don't get caught in an employment scam

An Ontario woman was hoping to earn extra money working a side hustle to help her deal with the rising costs of living, but ended up getting caught in an online employment scam.

Gas prices in southern Ontario to spike to the highest level in months

Drivers can expect to pay more at the pumps this summer as gas prices reach levels not seen since November 2022.

Gas prices are displayed in Carleton Place, Ont. on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Ontario student pays nearly $3K for extended warranty on used luxury car, surprised repairs aren't covered

An Ontario student paid nearly $3K for an extended warranty on a used luxury car, only to be told an emissions repair was not covered.

Woman tries to sell phone on Kijiji, gets scammed out of $12K

An Ontario woman was hoping to get some money by selling a smartphone she had through a classified website, but says she ended up being scammed out of $12,000.

GO Train service being expanded between Toronto and Niagara Falls

Ontario is expanding GO Train service between Toronto and Canada's top tourist destination.

Want to save money on ink? Switch to this kind of printer

As liquids go, printer ink is one of the most expensive ones we buy, with a cost by the millilitre comparable to fine champagne.

'Do not consume': Health Canada recalls brand of mushroom sold in Ontario

Health Canada has issued a recall notice for a brand of mushroom sold in Ontario, and possibly distributed in other provinces, due to listeria contamination.

Ontario woman shocked when cheap car part causes potentially hundreds of dollars damage

Many drivers are currently switching over their winter tires for their summer set, but some who have been using aluminum valve stem caps could find themselves with an unexpected expense.

Pat Foran

Pat Foran is an award-winning videojournalist with CTV News Toronto and the host of the station’s popular feature segment “Consumer Alert”.

In this role, Foran has helped consumers recover millions of dollars, exposed scams, warned about unsafe products, and passed on countless money saving tips to the public. The thousands of phone calls, e-mails, and letters he receives prove there is an intense public interest in solid, trustworthy consumer information.

Prior to his role as CTV Toronto’s consumer advocate, Foran worked as a reporter for three different CTV affiliates, beginning in 1986.

Foran is also the author of four national bestselling books on consumer and financial issues. His latest, The Smart, Savvy Young Consumer, is designed to help young Canadians spend and save wisely.

Have a story tip for Pat? Email alert@ctv.ca