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Consumer News 2001

Feds Zap the Zapper "Cure Packages" distributor agrees to clean up claims

Class Action Suits Hit WaMu Suits allege late fee overcharges and diversion of elderly patrons' savings.

26 States Sue Bristol-Myers Drug maker accused of illegally blocking generics.

Drug Firms Accused of Fraud A lawsuit filed by a coalition of consumers groups accuses major drug firms of overcharging Medicare.

Families Sue Menorah Gardens of Florida Bodies dug up, burial vaults crushed to make room for more bodies, plaintiffs charge.

Salesco Fined for Charging Cancellation Fee for Delayed Shipments FTC's Mail Order and Telephone Rule applies to Web sites too.

Canadian Scam Shuttered "Consumer Resource Services" targeted elderly consumers, FTC charges.

Anti-Spam Suits Add Up in Washington Consumers win key victories in small claims court.

SBC Pacific Bell Sued Over Prodigy Fee Customers billed for services they didn't order.

Two More Advance-Fee Credit Schemes Nabbed First Credit Services and Credit Services of America agree to settle FTC charges.

New Jersey Sues Jennifer Convertibles Company allegedly failed to respond to complaints about missing and damaged furniture.

Judge Refuses to Dismiss $81 Million Bank of America Suit Suit charges bank sold customer credit data on the black market.

"Dr. Christopher" Faces $1.4 Million Fine Company made unsubstantiated health claims for comfrey, a dangerous herbal supplement.

Pet Express Settles FTC Charges Shipments arrived later or not at all.

At Home Bankruptcy Leaves Cable Subscribers Disconnected High-speed Internet just a memory for many.

Ford, Firestone Suits Get Class-Action Status Ruling lets consumers sue for lower resale value, inadequate compensation for tire replacement costs.

American Benefits Club, 1st Financial Solutions, Shut Down Prosecutors say telemarketes sold credit cards that never arrived.

Trailer Home Sales Collapse As Repossessions Soar Industry cut its own throat with high-rate, 30-year loans.

Watch Out for Phony Bioterrorism Potions Numerous Web sites peddling useless dietary supplements.

rhinoPoint Settles FTC Charges Company promised free Internet service but sold customer's confidential data to others.

Red Cross Will Spend All 9-11 Donations on Victims Interim CEO responds to public and Congressional critics.

Not the First Time The Red Cross has a lengthy history of complaints about its disaster appeals.

Supreme Court Makes it Harder to Sue for ID Theft Upholds two-year time limit on filing suit.

SEC Sick of Anthrax Claims Orders three companies to stop making allegedly unproven claims.

Video Computer Store Settles With FTC Late shipments, missing rebates at issue.

Congress Goes On Warpath Against Charities Pot calls kettle black.

Online Anthrax Cures? Think Again Feds warn against ordering from online pharmacies.

Super FuelMAX Not So Max Another additive agrees to temper its claims.

Bogus "Gold Card" Scheme Shut Down Merchant card wasn't what consumers expected.

"Diamond Club" Scheme Halted Company agrees to pay $240,000 in redress.

NextCard Shares Plummet Feds Order Tighter Lending Procedures

Lawsuit Seeks Recall of Two Daisy Airgun Models Daisy has refused to voluntarily recall the airguns.

Ford Settles Ignition Suit; Price Tag: $1 Billion The company has fought tooth-and-mail for nearly 20 years, denying there is a problem.

Triad & Other Buying Clubs to Pay $9 Million to Settle Deception Charges "Free trials" not free enough.

Feds & States File Against Telemarketers Companies marketed phony credit card "insurance," advance fee loans, office supplies.

Providian Chairman Out, Stock in Freefall Subprime lending not such a great business after all.

Suit: HP Gouges Inkjet Users Class action suit seeks over $1 billion in rebates.

Supplement or Detriment? GAO: Dietary Supplements Pose Risk to Older Americans

Seniors Bilked by Annuities Salesmen, Suit Charges Class action status sought in Florida action.

Agencies Provide Disaster Preparedness Tips Families should have a well-formulated emergency plan.

Preparing for Bioterrorism Forget the gas masks and the antibiotics. Most attempts at prevention would do more harm than good.

18% of Financial Institutions Weak Some may not survive recession, Weiss Ratings study warns.

FTC Sets New Privacy Agenda National "Do Not Call" List tops new chairman's agenda.

Jail Time for Oxnard Woman in Southern California ID Theft Trial Traveling ID theft ring raided mailboxes and hotel records, prosecutors say.

lisafrank.com Fined for Violating Children's Privacy Company lured young girls to its site, then illegally gathered personal information, the Federal Trade Commission charges.

California Company Agrees to Pay $225,000 Fine for Selling Dangerous Cigarette Lighters Cigarettes Cheaper sold knowingly sold lighters that lacked child-resistant mechanism required by law, agency charges.

Safety Commission Votes to Improve Fire Safety of Mattresses Candles, matches, other open flames often ignite mattresses.

Time to Check Furnaces, Heaters Colder months increase risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Mortgage Rates Hit Three-Year Low Housing sales stagnant but many homeowners hoping to refinance.

Adult Web Site Operators Settle FTC Charges Company will pay $250,000 in escrow to ensure against future violations.

Gall Withdraws as Candidate to Head CPSC "Federal nanny" comments doomed Gall's nomination.

On the Road Again Travelers abandon planes, take to the road.

States Probe Reports of Gas Price-Gouging Some threaten criminal prosecution.

Scam Artists Stage Phony Charity Appeals Ignore email appeals. Real charities don't use them.

Citigroup Will Pay $20 Million to Settle Associates Probe Still looming: a federal case that may cost $100 million or more to settle.

Ford Recalls 1.1 Million Vans, Cars Problems this time around include fire hazards and collapsing springs.

Epic Resorts Ordered to Pay Refunds Settlements ends FTC action against company.

Companies Canceling Senior Discounts Flood of elders makes retailers think again.

MemberWorks Settles California Consumer Protection Suit Agrees to pay $1.5 million, reform its practices.

Settlement in First Bridgestone/Firestone Trial Company agrees to settle in fourth day of jury deliberations.

Air Bag Injuries Down Parents have learned to keep kids in back seat.

FTC Nabs Computer Auctioneers The agency charged that Computers By Us used Internet auctions to sell computers it didn't own.

Consumers Billed For Calls to Madagascar An out-of-court settlement has been reached with two groups that allegedly diverted Internet calls to foreign countries.

Spam Scam Foiled Internet operators used "spam" to fool consumers into divulging their Social Security and credit card numbers, prosecutors alleged.

Flooz Folds The online currency provider has fired its staff and says it will file for bankruptcy.

Congressman Wants FCC to Police Cell Phone Service Consumer can't accurately compare rates and service, Rep. Anthony Weiner argues.

Motorized Scooter Injuries Climb Consumer Product Safety Commission issues safety guidelines.

Excite@Home Faces Financial Collapse The company's low on cash and its stock price is nearing zilch.

Fun at Sears New ad campaign drops low-price guarantee, claims Sears is "fun place to shop."

Target Sues Kmart Over Low-Price Claims Accuses Kmart of violating truth-in-advertising laws.

Governors Lick Lips as Internet Sales Tax Moratorium Expires Opponents of Internet tax say it is unconstitutional and would stifle growth of e-commerce.

Expert Witness Blames Ford for Rollovers In $1 billion Texas trial, witness says tread separation should not have made Explorers rollover.

The Limited Fined $500,000 For Selling Flammable Pajamas Chain denies the violation was intentional.

Ford Offers to Settle Ignition Class Action After stonewalling for years, automaker makes last-minute settlement offer.

$4 Million Judgment Against Resorts Exchange International Firm used faxes to push "corporate discount" packages.

Consumer Safety Chief Announces Resignation, Ball in Bush's Court The White House failed in its earlier attempt to nominate a successor to Ann Brown.

Recalled Asthma Inhalers May Be Linked to Deaths Public Citizen asks for criminal investigation of Schering-Plough.

Class Action Suit Against Claritin Misleading advertising claimed.

Bush Wants to Recall Ann Brown White House irate over Senate rejection of its nominee to head Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Federal Agency Investigating Jeep Cherokee The popular SUV can shift itself out of park and into reverse, NHTSA says.

Essential.com Bankruptcy Raises Questions for Consumers Company trying to sell its customer list to raise cash.

Gall's Confirmation to Head Safety Panel In Doubt Critics recall "federal nanny" remarks, vote against regulating baby bath seats.

$2 Million Judgment Against Capital Card Services Company sold "protection" against fraudulent credit card charges.

FTC Study Finds Lack of Protection For Rent-to-Own Customers Consumers aren't told true cost of rent-to-own, survey finds.

Prudential Will Refund $25 Million To New Jersey Motorists State Farm earlier pulled out of New Jersey after similar levies.

Bridgestone/Firestone Says No to Government Recall Request Tiremaker refuses to voluntarily recall tires being replaced by Ford.

Chrysler Won't Recall Vans To Fix Fuel Leak Danger Crash tests document fire danger in popular Grand Caravan.

HomeLife Closes, Files for Bankruptcy Sears spinoff fails, 130 stores closed.

Royal Ahold Wants Peapod Demise of Webvan leaves open field in home delivery sector.

Data Medical Fined $500,000 Will stop promoting medical-billing-at-home scheme.

ShopNBC.com/Value Vision Nailed by FTC Shopping channel and Web site accused of peddling phony weight-loss nostrums.

FTC Rounds Up Another Comfrey Peddler Western Botanicals agrees to stop making unsubstantiated claims and to stop selling comfrey products for internal use or on open wounds.

Household Eliminates Single-Premium Credit Life Another big win for consumer advocates.

Fraud-by-Friend on the Increase Beware of friends and family with investment dealls too good to be true.

Sears Scrapes Off the Make-Up The loutish retailer is dumping its expanded cosmetics section.

Long-Distance Companies Must Disclose Rates But watch out! There are about as many loopholes in the new regulations as you'd expect.

Netpliance Fined $100,000 Will also make refunds to thousands of i-opener purchasers.

Supplement Marketer Ordered to Rein In Claims for Comfrey Far from being helpful, comfrey can cause fatal liver damage, FTC charges.

Another Hoax Aimed at Medicor Customers Customers scammed into revealing personal information to caller impersonating FTC investigator.

Citigroup Ends Sale of Single-Premium Credit Insurance Bows to pressure from consumer activists, regulators.

Congress Looking into Online Auction Fraud Rep. Tauzin, et al, seek advice from eBay, Yahoo, Amazon.

Government Study Finds Online Fraud "Epidemic" Auctions account for 87% of all online fraud.

Ameri-China Sued for Toy Safety Violations Firm repeatedly imported unsafe toys, CPSC charges.

Explorer-Firestone Failures No Surprise to Insiders Safety consultant knew of problem in 1996 but kept silent for fear federal investigators would bungle the job.

Hundreds Fall for New York Housing Scam Broad conspiracy targeted low-income New York City civil servants.

CFA Wants Recall Hotlines Active Indefinitely Survey finds nearly 20 percent of hotlines inactive.

Dramatic Increase in Candle-Caused Fires Report finds overall decrease in house fire deaths but 750 percent increase in deaths caused by candles.

CompuServe Sued for Slow Payment of Rebates Suit seeks class action status and payment of interest on late payments.

Chase Manhattan Mortage Sued Florida consumers claims timely payments were posted late.

FTC Steps Up Crackdown on Web Quackery Six companies cited for claiming unproven health benefits.

Burger King Replacing Playground Nets After Child Dies in St. Louis New nets will inhibit climbing.

Fisher Price Pays $1.1 Million Fine Failed to report safety defects in Power Wheels.

NetZero, Juno Merge, Form United Online One had money, the other a few customers.

Internet Access Rates Head for the Sky Cable companies, telcos revert to old habits.

Lawsuit Seeks Recall of 4 Million Ford Explorers Popular SUV is unsafe and cannot be fixed, court filing alleges.

CPSC Will Begin Regulating Baby Bath Seats At least 78 drownings have been blamed on the plastic rings.

Blockbuster Suit Nears Settlement Class action cases charge breach of contract in disputed late fees.

Family Feud: Ford, Firestone Take Off the Gloves Ford recalls all Firestone tires, Venezuela considers banning Explorer sales.

Orbitz Gets Ready to Launch Critics watching every move of online travel agency owned by five big airlines.

Wal-Mart Sued In Exercise Injuries Chain didn't report injuries on Weider, Weslo machines, U.S. charges.

JCPenney Life Insurance Co. Sued For Consumer Fraud Class action suit charges company drafted consumers' bank accounts without authorization.

CyberRebate Bankrupt Debts overtake something-for-nothing Web site.

Gateway, Juno Agree to Clean Up Ads, Reimburse Customers FTC charges companies used deceptive advertising for "free" services.

FDA Study Finds Allergens Often Not Listed On Food Packages Stealth ingredients can mean sudden death for those with food allergies.

New Law Allows Garnishing Social Security Checks Federal agencies begin tapping into pension checks this month.

College Resource Management, Inc. Settles with FTC Firm was accused of misrepresenting its ability to obtain college financial aid for students.

A Better Way to Lease? New service helops consumers get out of auto leases or fine new ones.

Fleet, Citigroup, MBNA Impose No-Lawsuit Clause On Cardholders Fleet tries to make clause retroactive.

Ruling Upholds Ban on Sale of Personal Credit Data Big setback for direct marketers.

Student Tour Operator Barred from Future Travel Fraud FTC order covers now-bankrupt CATI, Inc., operator of tours to Mexico.

Summer Jobs Can Be Dangerous Magazine sales, delivery jobs among the most dangerous.

Feds Ready to Zap the Zappers FTC takes aim at "ultrasonic" insect and rodent zappers.

FTC Backs Spam Bill Excessive spam hurts consumer confidence and wastes bandwidth, agency testifies.

Three Advance Fee Credit Card Defendants Settle FTC Charges "Credit cards" turned out to be application kits.

Good-bye Float New System Treats Checks as Debit Cards. Downside? No more float.

iMotors Out of Gas Innovative used-car broker found, reconditioned and guaranteed "dream cars."

Kids' Web Sites Fined Sites violated children's privacy regulations, FTC charged.

FTC Sues Three Personal Information Web Sites These are the sites that claim to "find out anything about anybody." Trouble is, they often do.

Mary Sheila Gall Named to Chair CPSC New Federal Nanny likely to be a more permissive parent.

Citigroup Shareholders Protest Associates Purchase A blight on company's "good name."

Home Improvement Scams Bloom in Spring Older homeowners are frequent targets.

Verizon Cleared to Offer Long-Distance in Massachusetts FCC okays one-stop shopping for Bay State consumers.

15-Passenger Vans Prone to Rollovers NHTSA warns that only experienced drivers should operate the vans.

Ford Recalls 2002 Explorers The rear window can fall out.

FTC Winds Up Nationwide Crackdown On Work At Home Schemes "Make big bucks at home." Uh-huh.

PlanetRx Flatlines Another online pharmacy fails.

nationpharmacy.com Closed After Raid Oklahoma pharmacy hired doctors to write prescriptions for patients they never saw, officials charge.

Urgent Recall for 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazers, GMC Envoys and Oldsmobile Bravadas Defect could cause loss of control. Owners urged to park their trucks immediately.

Cosco, Safety 1st Fined $1.75 Million for Failing to Report Product Defects Hundreds of children injured, two killed.

Web-Based Tax Fraud a Growing Menace Many slick scams promise tax-free living, deliver years in prison instead.

Lasik Vision Collapses High debt, over-expansion blamed. Many patients stranded.

Long-Distance Carriers Introduce Single-Bill Fees The latest bright idea from a disappearing industry.

ATM Fees Up Sharply, Study Finds ATMs save banks money, so they have to charge more for using them. Make sense?

Carnival Agrees to Pay Up Cruise line denies padding port charges but agrees to make refunds anyway.

CVS "File Buy Program" Target of Lawsuit Big chain buys Rx lists from failing mom-and-pop drug stores.

Video Computer Store Sued by PA Attorney General Company reportedly seeks bankruptcy protection.

Office Supply Stores Targeted by Rogue Environmental Group ForestEthics thinks kenaf and hemp are the answer to deforestation.

Cloning Making Great Gains -- Or Is It? Depends on which newspaper you read.

FTC Nabs Companies Peddling Bogus Federal and State Job Opportunities Claims included "secrets to high-paying postal jobs."

Class Actions Charge Kia Brakes Defective More than 160,000 vehicles potentially affected.

Food Poisoning on the Rise Globalization and a desire for convenience are among the factors contributing to an increase in good poisoning.

Consumer Electronics Tops New York BBB Rankings for 2000 Best Stop Digital a familiar entry.

Website Crammers Settle FTC Charges Cases involved Mercury and International Telemedia.

GAO Finds Rising Tide of Consumer Complaints about Interstate Movers But stops short of recommending states be given authority to regulate moving companies.

Reader's Digest Pays $6 Million to Settle Sweepstakes Complaints "You're about to be a winner" will be heard no more.

FTC Charges Associates, Citigroup With Predatory Lending Practices Damages could exceed $500 million.

Chevy Chase Ruling Casts Doubt on Arbitration Clauses Maryland's highest court says consumers did not waive their right to trial.

FTC Sues Medicor LLC Charges medical billing scheme misled consumers.

Senate Ready to Rubber-Stamp Tough New Bankruptcy Bill Credit card companies and banks get payback on their record-setting campaign contributions.

Northwest Slashes Commission for Web Travel Sites Other major airlines mum about their plans.

CyberCash Files for Bankruptcy Web payment system didn't catch on.

eToys Declares Bankruptcy Popularity wasn't lacking. Profits were.

Gero Vita Head Got Clinton Pardon Glenn Braswell paid Hugh Rodham $200,000.

NHTSA Wants Better Head Restraints Most U.S. cars and light trucks provide inadequate protection against neck injuries.

Another Firestone Recall Latest recall is for tires sold on Nissan Altima models.

California Investigating Fake Collect Calls from Mexico Tijuana-based scam facilitated by

ZPDI, frequent source of consumer complaints.

Suit Claims Bank of America Misused Credit Reports $81 million class actions says bank sold data in "black market."

Juno Wants Your Hard Drive The free Internet access service plans to resell its customers' unused hard-drive and processing capacity, requiring users to leave their machines on 24/7.

Maryland Seizes Assets of Bankcard Group Inc. State charges company defrauded investors.

Alaska Jury Awards $13 Million in Ephedrine Suit First open-court judgment involving ephedrine.

Ford Spring Problems May Not Be Limited to Windstars Our readers report problems in F150 and Expedition as well.

Computer Learning Centers files for bankruptcy, cancels classes Students, many just weeks from graduating, stranded.

American Supply Systems Executives Sentenced Telemarketers sold very expensive office supplies.

Pep Boys Pay $110,000 Penalty Some New York customers charged for unnecessary emissions inspection.

Baltimore attorney Peter Angelos enters lawsuit over cell phone safety The majority owner of the Baltimore Orioles, Angelos was a major player in multi-billion-dollar asbestos and tobacco cases.

New Orleans federal judge lets cell suit stand The suit on behalf of a Louisiana man charges manufacturers have done nothing to protect consumers despite knowing the risk posted by radio-frequency emissions.

Computer Learning Centers Appeals U.S. Education Department Ruling Company may have to refund up to $187 million.

DSL Mess Worsens Absolutely, positively need high-speed Internet access? Don't stake your hopes on DSL.

Time to Line Up Student Financial Aid for Next College Year Watch out! Don't get scammed by companies that charge you money to find scholarships. Jan. 15, 2001

GM Sport Utes Perform Poorly in Rollover Tests Honda Accord gets best ranking. Jan. 10, 2001

Artificial Fingernails Raise Health Concerns Heightened risk of infection, irritation, allergic reactions found in studies. Jan. 15, 2001

Ford Goes on Trial in Explorer Rollvers Attorney seeks to pin major share of blame on Ford. Jan. 8, 2001

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