Terminix Pleads Guilty To Assault In New Jersey Case Workers were exposed to potentially deadly pesticide.

Insulation Dealer Settles FTC Charges Company agrees to be more upfront about its R-values.

Craftmatic Settles WV Fraud Charges Company agrees to make restitution, lets consumers keep their beds.

Alarm Companies Alarmed Over Cell Phone Transition Shift to new frequencies could render many home alarms inoperable, companies claim.

Your Next Home: Custom or Modular? Factory-built homes pulling ahead of custom, stick-built houses. Factory assembly pays off in cost and quality.

Existing Home Prices Drop In August First year-to-year decline since 1995.

Home Builders Confidence Slips Falling new home sales, rising cancellations are cause for concern.

Magnetic Bedding Attracts Lawsuits, Complaints Instead of relief from ailments, consumers get expense and aggravation.

Home Prices Still Rising But More Slowly Prices up just 1.17 percent over last year.

Study Warns of Homeowner "Rate Shock" Homeowners in the South and Midwest most likely to be hurt by changes in variable rate mortgages.

InflationWatch: Consumer Prices Creep Higher Home sales soften, mortgage rates down slightly.

Fed Leaves Interest Rate Stable ... For Now Consumers already overburdened by heavy debt loads and energy costs, observers fear.

Illinois Shuts Down Mortgage "Rescue" Scam Scheme preyed on homeowners at risk of foreclosure. Gov. Blagojevich orders aggressive enforcement.

Starbucks Sales Losing Steam High gas prices may be cutting into coffee sales.

Data Shows More California Homeowners Feeling The Squeeze More than 20,000 homeowners in danger of foreclosure.

Mortgage Rates Fall Again Rates are reacting to signs of a slowdown in the economy.

Flat-Panel TV Sales Poised to Be Anything But Flat Forty percent of consumers plan to buy a new TV soon. Most want a big flat screen.

Slowing Economy Takes Pressure Off Mortgage Rates Thirty-year fixed rate stands at 6.72 percent, one point over last year.

Feds Target Realtors' Anti-Competitive Practices Prosecutors allege Realtors restrict home buyers' and sellers' effective use of the Internet.

Realtors Thwart Internet-Based Home Sales Industry blocks changes that could increase competition and consumer choice.

Existing-Home Sales Decline as Housing Market Cools Sales down slightly in June, prices still up over one year ago.

State Real Estate Regulation Dominated by Realtors Study finds industry dominates real estate commission in nearly every state.

Sounds of Summer: Martha Stewart Tables Shattering Government agencies, manufacturer, retailers stand idly by for years while glass patio tables explode.

New York Obtains Judgment Against Internet Scam Brixdale.com promised consumers they could quickly pay off their mortgage.

Florida Sues Water Extraction Company for Deceiving Seniors Company allegedly increased prices more than 300 percent after last season's hurricanes.

GE Ice Dispensers Serve Up More Than Ice Homeowners find plastic, metal and rust in their iced drinks. GE knows of the problem, says improvements are "ongoing."

The Mistakes Borrowers Make, and How to Avoid Them As interest rates rise, getting the right mortgage loan becomes more difficult.

Housing Sector Quakes as Fed Chief hints at More Interest Rate Hikes Rising energy prices fueling inflation, Bernanke warns.

Movers Keep Upper Hand in Interstate Moves Home-state Senator throws protective blanket over big movers.

Backyard Pools Pose Danger to Kids Inflatable pools a growing risk to small children.

Lawn Mowing Not Child's Play Serious injuries to children are on the rise, doctors warn.

Helping Seniors Weather the Storm As hurricane season opens, it's time to review arrangements for elderly and disabled family members.

Consumers Steamed About Whirlpool Water Heater Problems Homeowners who purchased Whirlpool's Flame Lock gas water heaters are taking a lot of cold showers these days.

Portable Generators Can Kill Start of summer storm season a good time to review generator safety rules.

California Charges Auto, Homeowner Insurers Making Excess Profits Insurance Commissioner Garamendi schedules July hearings on the issue.

Whirlpool Dusts Hoover Underperforming Maytag units cut loose by new corporate chieftains.

NY Title Insurers Agree to Sweeping Reforms Title firms agree to shelve illegal rebates and referral fees.

Greenspan: "Housing Boom Is Over" Some areas may experience "severe" price swings, he warns.

Pennsylvania Prosecutes Home Alarm Company Company deceptively marketed and sold electronic in-home alarms the elderly and disabled, state charges.

Texas Court Invalidates KB Home's Forced Arbitration Homeowners can now sue KB Home for construction defects.

Long Island Property Tax Consultant to Make Refunds Company will make $400,000 in refunds.

Metro Home Prices Begin to Cool Condo prices dip but overall home prices fairly stable in major metro areas.

Women Driving Home Improvement Purchases Women not only planning projects but taking active role in buying materials.

Homeowners Insurance Rates Unfair, Massachusetts Charges Raising rates in anticipation of hurricanes isn't justified, state argues.

North Carolina Gives Cleaning Company A Good Scrubbing Carpet and duct cleaning cost a lot, accomplished little.

Home Depot Buys a Bank Following the lead of Wal-Mart, Home Depot has its heart set on having its very own bank.

Coming Soon: No-Mow Grass Could be bad news for John Deere.

Mortgage Rates Continue to Drift Upward Fixed rate is at its highest point since April 2002.

Researchers: La Ni�a Won't Affect 2006 Atlantic Hurricanes Sea temperatures "near normal," a good sign as hurricane season approaches.

Scam Artists Get Into Garbage Hauling Be wary of low-priced haulers. You may be responsible for their actions.

Home Depot, Monogram Credit Card Bank To Pay Connecticut $672,000 "No interest, no payment" offers weren't what they seemed.

New Jersey Sues Mattress Company Over Internet Ads Comfort Direct allegedly used unauthorized and fabricated testimonials.

Top Bank Regulator Worried by New Types of Mortgages Comptroller of the Currency worries that initial low payments will lure buyers who can't meet higher payments later on.

Lawn Mower Injuries Increase Nationwide Most injuries are to children and older people.

Mortgage Rates Hit Four-Year High 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.49 percent, up from last week's average of 6.43 percent.

Rebates: Discount or Lotto Ticket Consumers are being robbed of millions of dollars in rebate scams. Does anyone care?

Sears Not Amused by Martha Stewart's Deal with Macy's Sears chairman leaves little doubt Martha's days are numbered.

Outbreak of DirecTV Porn Charges Hits Philadelphia Rogue subcontractors suspected of setting up bogus accounts to collect big commissions.

DuPont Hopes Teflon Charges Don't Stick Iowa judge prepares to hear barrage of class action lawsuits alleging health threats from Teflon cookware.

"Mortgage Stripping" Scams on the Rise Illinois Sues Another Mortgage Foreclosure "Rescuer"

Whirlpool-Maytag Merger Gets Final OK Justice Department finds 70 percent market share in washers and dryers won't affect competition.

Pyrex Panic: Shrapnel in the Kitchen Consumers taken by surprise when "oven-proof" bakeware explodes.

New Home Sales Tank In February The sale of new homes made the biggest drop in nine years in February, falling 10.5 percent.

Home Sales Show Surprising Uptick Sales of existing homes rose in February following five months of decline, possibly thanks in part to mild weather.

Terminix Settles Consumer Complaints In New Jersey Company agrees to get the bugs out of its customer service.

Civil Rights Group Charges Five Lenders With Discrimination Benefits of civil rights legislation being undone, rights group charges.

Ohio Says Virginia Company Scammed College Student Workers University Painters misled ambitious students, state charges.

Mulch From Hurricane Zone Could Carry a Nasty Surprise Many Louisiana parishes are home to very hungry termites.

Speculation Driving Natural Gas Prices, Report Charges Midwestern attorneys general probed reasons for sharp price hikes.

Ohio Sues Primax Windows for Consumer Violations Company allegedly did shoddy work, failed to deliver as promised.

Home Prices Continue To Rise Mark may be soft but prices still headed upward.

California Condo Buyers Say They Were Scammed Arrests of mayor and real estate agent confirm buyers' suspicions.

Paint Makers Found Liable In Lead Paint Case Cost of getting the lead out may exceed $1 billion.

New Jersey Sues Eight Movers Companies allegedly violated consumer protection laws.

NY Seeks Contempt Charges against Mover Watertown moving company blocked soldiers and others from reclaiming their belongings.

Feds Set New Mattress Fire Safety Rules New standard gives homeowners more time to escape.

2006 Hurricane Forecast: More and Bigger El Nino effect could stir up even more and bigger hurricanes in 2006 than in 2005, forecaster warns.

New Jersey Sues TruGreen Chemlawn State alleges lawn service applied treatments without consent and made false promises.

Real Estate Markets Turn Chilly Lenders, regulators, builders grow nervous as red-hot markets trun frigid.

Missouri Sues Foreclosure "Rescue" Business St. Joseph business engaged in deceptive and unfair trade practices, state charges.

Insurance Rates Up Sharply in Katrina's Wake Survey finds premiums up 33 percent in some areas.

The Fed Raises Interest Rates Again Consumers confounded by differing interpretations of the nation's economic health.

Illinois Launches Offensive Against Foreclosure "Rescuers" Attorney General files suits, proposes legislation to stop "cancer on our community."

Home Improvement Complaints Increase Connecticut reports an 8 percent increase in the last year.

TV Logos Blamed for Plasma Screen Burn-In Australian sports fans complain of burned-in logos long after games are over.

Consumers Sweating Over Home Heating Bills Natural gas prices double in some states.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Payments Headed Up in 2006 Homeowners who locked in at 3 percent could see their rates double this year.

Homeowners Associations Extend their Grip More than 50 million Americans now covered by "private governments."

Realtors See A Cooling Market In 2006 Existing-home sales expected to dip as much as 4.4 percent to 6.79 million units, which would still be the second highest ever.

Gulf Coast Homeowners File Class Action against State Farm Lawsuit argues homeowners' "all perils" policies should cover wind-driven water damage.

Feds Tuck In Adjustable Bed Company Company's telemarketers allegedly violated do-not-call law.

Texas Warns of Post-Fire Scams Scam artists may prey on homeowners, attorney general warns.

Florida Wins Refunds for Hurricane Ivan Homeowners Restoration firm allegedly overcharged homeowners.

Few Americans Prepared For Disaster Survey finds Americans think attack or disaster is likely in their area but say they're not prepared.

Illinois Earthquake Rattles Insurers Some insurers plan to stop writing earthquake insurance in Illinois, Missouri.

Consumers Pay the Price for Disasters: Tips on Minimizing Your Losses in 2006 Disaster planning includes avoiding dangerous situations, picking the right insurance coverage.

Maytag Shareholders Approve Merger With Whirlpool Justice Department scrutinizing anti-trust elements.

Feds Again Warn Mortgage Lenders Too mamy "creative" mortgages spell trouble, regulators warn.

Future of Gulf Coast Homeowners Insurance Murky, S&P Warns Insurers being tight-lipped about their plans.

Sen. Trent Lott Sues State Farm over Katrina Damage Prominent Republican turns to his brother-in-law, plaintiffs' attorney Richard Scruggs, to sue State Farm.

DirecTV Fined $5 Million for Do-Not-Call Violations Federal penalty follows a $5 million settlement with 22 states.

DirecTV Will Reform Ad Practices, Pay Millions in Refunds Twenty-two states sued after receiving complaints from consumers.

Mortgage Rates Continue To Rise The cost of financing a home inched higher in early December, putting additional pressure on skyrocketing real estate prices.

Pellet-Burning Stove Owners Have a Problem: No Pellets Supply of wooden pellets dries up as propane, fuel oil users turn to wood.

Utility Payment Center Diverted Funds, NY Charges Electro-Pay, Inc. collected utility payments but did not forward them to the appropriate companies.

Report: Housing Slowdown But No Recession UCLA forecasts no major loss of manufacturing jobs because there are virtually none left to lose.

Dodging Recalls with Resales Auction sites like eBay shirk responsibility for keeping recalled products off their sites.

Movers Fined for Multiple Violations Feds crack down on unlicensed, unethical moving companies.

Bakers Beware: Shattering Pyrex Pans Consumers report baking dishes explode unexpectedly.

Busiest Hurricane Season on Record Finally Ends Damage at $60 billion and climbing as season officially comes to an end.

Researchers Study East Coast Tsunami Danger Study covers area from the Carolinas to Maine.

Congress Considers Taxpayer-Funded Catastrophe Insurance Recent disasters show need for more protection, consumer group argues.

KitchenAid, Samsung Rank Highest in Home Appliance Study J.D. Power study ranks KitchenAid dishwashers and ranges highest, while Samsung ranks highest in refrigerators.

Five Reasons Not To Buy An Extended Warranty Based on the experiences of our readers, we'd have to say extended warranties are a bad idea.

Connecticut Heating Oil Dealer Arrested Company allegedly failed to deliver on prepaid contracts.

The Fading Housing Frenzy Luxury home builders warn of falling sales as mortgage rates rise and speculators look elsewhere.

Sony Slammed for Hidden CD Software Copy-protected CDs insert hacker-prone software on users' computers.

Arizona Settles Fraud Case with O Premium Waters Company misled consumers into signing long-term service contracts.

Mayors Alarmed at Threat to Home Mortgage Deduction Presidential panel's plan would harm cities, mayors warn.

J.D. Power Survey: Hurricanes Destroy Consumer Satisfaction with their Insurance Amica Mutual ranks highest in overall customer satisfaction.

Consumer Groups Raise Questions about Fed Chair Nominee Senate committee asked to grill Bernanke on his commitment to consumer protection.

Beware the Pitfalls of Creative Mortgages The author is about to lose her home, thanks to the "creative" mortgage that looked so good a year ago.

Hurricane Victims Irked at Companies, Charities Insurers, large retailers disappoint evacuees with inflexible policies, broken promises.

One-Third of U.S. Population Lives in Hazard-Prone Areas Columbia University study suggests better planning needed for future disasters.

Royal Prestige Cookware: A Royal Rip-Off? Three-month investigation documents consumer complaints, raises questions about company's resolution claims.

White House Panel Targets Middle-Class Tax Breaks Home mortgage interest, home equity loans, health and retirement savings at risk.

Feds Study Generator Safety Consumer Product Safety Commission chairman alarmed by increase in carbon monoxide deaths from portable generators.

Mortgage Rates Edge Above 6 Percent This is the highest the 30-year rate has been since March 31 when it averaged 6.04 percent.

Illinois Sues Natural Gas Provider Over Fixed-Price Contract Company reneged on long-term contracts, state charges.

Class Action Suit Filed Against AIG Over Katrina Claims Company has not responded to homeowners seeking assistance, suit charges.

Texas Orders Allstate to Pay Homeowners' Claims Homeowners unable to return home should receive living expenses, judge rules.

Bush Tax Panel Eyes Big Mortgages Tax deduction on jumbo mortgages and employer health care payments under scrutiny.

Consumers Face Sharply Higher Heating Costs Natural gas prices could double in some areas, feds warn.

Consumer Group Wants Ban on Exports of Heating Oil Oil shouldn't go overseas when there is a shortage at home, consumers argue.

Mold Sickens Hurricane Survivors ... and Mortgage Lenders Homes left standing rapidly destroyed by mold, which isn't covered by insurance.

Hurricanes Threaten Natural Gas Supplies This Winter Storms and increasing demand expected to stretch supplies this winter.

Congress Ponders Katrina Bankruptcy Relief Bills would exempt storm victims from some or all of new bankruptcy requirements.

No Slowdown In Housing Market Total sales up 2 percent in August, 7.8 percent over one year ago.

Oil Prices Jump Despite 'Light' Hurricane Damage Crude oil prices jumped more than $1 a barrel Monday as traders worried that supplies will not meet demand for heating oil in the months ahead.

Mississippi, Insurers In Stand-Off Over Hurricane Damage Mississippi Attorney General wants federal aid to help homeowners whose insurance claims have been denied.

Texas Warns Against Exploiting Hurricane Rita Victims Attorney General's office reports receiving more than 500 price-gouging complaints so far.

Lawyers Line Up to Sue Insurance Companies Over Katrina Denials Lawyers line up to sue insurance companies over exclusion of water damage.

Air Cleaners of Doubtful Value Consumer Reports finds even the best air purifiers may be a frivolous investment.

Katrina Victims Face Insurance Delays, Denials Mississippi files suit alleging wrongful denials of many claims.

No Bankruptcy Relief for Katrina Victims Rep. Sensenbrenner refuses to hold hearings on waiving portions of new bankruptcy law for hurricane victims.

Subprime Mortgage Pricing Varies Greatly Among U.S. Cities Area damaged by Katrina has some of the highest levels of subprime lending.

States Sue Feds Over Appliance Energy Standards Department of Energy not enforcing standards for 22 common appliances, states charge.

Feds File Anti-Trust Charges Against Realtors Realtors obstruct use of Internet to offer better services and lower costs to consumers, Justice Department charges.

Fix It or Nix It: Appliance Repair Tips Consumer Reports study finds homeowners increasingly likely to pitch defective appliances.

Massachusetts Seeks To Block Natural Gas Rate Hike No reason for big spike in natural gas prices, state argues.

Congress May Modify Bankruptcy "Reform" that Penalizes Katrina Victims New bankruptcy law replaces war on poverty with war on the poor.

Katrina Loss Put at More Than $100 Billion Insurance analysts blame inadequate levees, poor preparedness for rising damage, casualty tolls.

Insurance, Safety Tips for Homeowners in Katrina's Path It's not too early for homeowners outside flooded areas to contact insurers and begin the claims and rebuilding process.

Homeowners Insurance May Cover Additional Living Expenses for Katrina Victims Forced from Their Homes Living expenses generally not provided by flood insurance, however.

Housing Prices Post Largest Increases in More Than 25 Years Prices up more than 13 percent over last year.

Long-Term Mortgage Rates Drop 30-year fixed-rate mortgage down from last week, Freddie Mac reports.

Texas Halts Foreclosure Rescue Scam Scam artists preying on troubled homeowners, many of them elderly, state charges.

Higher Minimum Credit Card Payments Add to Consumer Queasiness "Creative" mortgages and higher minimum may put some consumers in a tight squeeze.

Mortgage Bankers Fret About "Creative" Loans Trade association warns consumers, bankers to be wary of interest-only loans.

More Economists Worry About Housing Bubble Effects of a housing crash would be worst than the stock market bust, one warns.

New Home Sales Set Another Record In July Signs of panic buying seen by some economists.

Not Many Happy Returns Consumer dissatisfaction with retailers' return/exchange policies growing. Complaints up 11 percent in one year.

Home Resales Down from Record, Price Gains Continue Third-highest month on record, even with price slippage.

$430 Million Florida Utility Increase Scrubbed Attorney general, AARP work to block big rate hike.

Whirlpool To Take Over Maytag Whirlpool will control nearly half the U.S. appliance market.

KB Home Customers Find FTC Penalties Inadequate Previous penalties and court orders brought little improvement, homeowners claim.

Reliant Energy Pays $453 Million For Staging California Energy Crisis The state�s two largest utilities were forced into bankruptcy during the "crisis."

Connecticut Digs Up Driveway Paving Scam Bogus pavers take homeowners' money but do a poor job, or none at all.

Home Prices Surge In Second Quarter Most metro areas experienced historically strong annual increases in the second quarter.

Loss Of Late Fees Hurts Blockbuster Video rental chain lost $57 million in the most recent quarter.

Tupperware Buys Sara Lee Beauty Products Unit Direct salespeople sell beauty products direct to consumers.

Suit Charges Martha Stewart Knew of Shattering Glass Patio Tabletops For three years, consumers have complained of glass suddenly shattering.

Realtors See Market Coasting For The Rest Of The Year Realtors predict a soft landing for the red-hot real estate market, not a crash.

Ameriquest Faces Blizzard of Suits and $325 Million Settlement with States Bush nominates its founder to be ambassador to the Netherlands.

Mortgage Rates Continue To Climb Average 30-year fixed rate rose from 5.77 percent to 5.82 percent.

KB Home to Pay $2 Million for Violating Home Warranty Agreement California homebuilder will also be required to extend home warranty coverage for an additional year for some homeowners.

Florida Consumers to Get $200,000 in Restitution After 2004 Hurricane Season An investigation into price gouging yields $200,000 settlement.

New Home Sales Surging Economist fears some buyers aren't being rational.

Existing Home Sales Surge To New Record In June Rising interest rates may slow the growth in July.

Ohio Settles With Craftmatic BedsFor $425,000 Craftmatic agrees to clean up advertising and sales practices.

Mortgage Rates Edge Higher Rates rose for the third straight week but are still below historic norms.

Greenspan "Certain" Some Housing Prices Will Dip Rising rate interests will catch up with housing prices, he vows.

Connecticut Arrests Fuel Company Owner For Failing to Make Good On Pre-Paid Contracts Criminal charges filed over allegations consumers didn't get fuel oil they had already paid for.

Whirlpool Bids $1.3 Billion For Maytag Bid tops previous offer from private investors' group.

Californians Seek Class Action Against Cost Plus Furniture chain doesn't disclose its furniture requires assembly, suit charges.

They Sure Don't Make Things Like They Used To What has happened to appliances? And why?

Martha Stewart Table Tops Shatter, Consumers Complain Summer brings another year of complaints about shattering glass table tops. No recall as yet.

Dennis Threatens Gulf Coast Tropical Storm Dennis, building quickly to hurricane status, poses a danger to the entire Golf Coast.

• Preparing Your Home for a Storm
• Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency

Court Upholds Restrictions On Pesticides Near Rivers Ruling limits the use of 38 pesticides near Northwest rivers and streams where salmon live.

Report Faults CenterPoint Energy�s Cold Weather Practices Consumers left out in the cold, attorney general finds.

Homeowners Lose Eminent Domain Case Supreme Court sweeps aside objections of homeowners displaced by government-backed commercial development.

Tremors Rattle Californians Now's the time to check on earthquake insurance, make sure your home and family are ready for the next quake.

Spitzer Charges Feds Conspiring to Shield Banks Against State Consumer Protection Laws "Unconscionable" that federal regulators try to shut down state probe of racial discrimination in lending, NY Attorney General says.

High Foreclosure Rates the Dark Side of a Hot Real-Estate Market Florida, Texas lead the nation in foreclosures.

Class Actions Challenge Adjustable Rate Home Equity Loans in Texas Loans violate a key clause of the Texas Constitution, the suits charge.

Zappers Zap the Good Bugs Bug zappers work, but they kill the wrong insects, including those that feed off mosquitoes.

New Forms of Credit Scoring Emerge Lenders looking for ways to evaluate those with little or no credit record.

Hurricane Season Is Time to Review Insurance Coverage Homeowners policies don't coverage most hurricane damage. Californians should review their landslide coverage.

Arizona Sues Alleged Foreclosure Scam Operators Virtual Realty falsely promised to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, suit charges.

Housing Values Continue to Rise National median home value reaches $140,000, up nearly 16 percent in the last three years.

Traveling Scam Artists Indicted on Racketeering Charges Group preyed on elderly homeowners in Ohio, prosecutors charge.

Massachusetts Sues Home Improvement Contractor Company took the money but didn't do the work, state chargse.

Be Wary of Pre-Paid Heating Fuel Contracts Consumers burned by fuel that doesn't show up.

Maytag Sold to Investor Group Fabled American appliance maker squeezed by high labor costs, ruthless global competition.

New York Takes On Predatory Real Estate Scams Scam artists posing as "foreclosure rescue agents" defraud homeowners.

Feds Warn Lenders to Tighten Up With interest rates rising, regulators worry that consumers may have trouble paying back their home-equity loans.

New Jersey Toughens Regulation of Builders Acting Governor signs executive order after report warns of widespread problems in new homes.

Oregon Hits Unlicensed Contractors Contractors took the money but didn't do the job, state charges.

Realtors Try to Head Off Justice Department Suit Over Internet Listings Association says it will try to find a compromise solution.

Federal Study Recommends Yearly Sealing of Treated Wood Decks, Playgrounds Arsenic emissions reduced by yearly staining or sealing, EPA and CPSC find.

Consumer Reports Tests Mattresses, Results Inconclusive Magazine finds there's no one best bed for everyone.

Feds Ready to Sue National Association of Realtors Justice Department objects to efforts to block discounted and online real estate sales.

Suit Challenges Utility's Gas-Leak Insurance Illinois utility charged customers for insurance they allegedly didn't need and didn't order.

Illinois Charges Hail Storm Chaser Contractor allegedly took down payments for storm repair but never did the work.

Mortgage Rates at Lowest Point Since February Rates on 30-year fixed mortgages down for fourth consecutive week.

Spitzer Probing Discrimination in Mortgages New York probe focuses on Citigroup, HSBC and other lenders with large subprime portfolios.

Maytag Settles Neptune Washer Lawsuit More than two million consumers eligible for refunds or credits toward purchase of a new machine.

Texas Sues Water Company Overcharged consumers can look forward to refunds.

Florida Kitchen Cabinet Scam Attorney general wins refunds for wronged consumers.

Ohio Sues Hot Tub Company Company didn't deliver on promises, charged for work not performed.

Like Crabgrass, Lawn Care Schemes Abound Homeowners spend big bucks on lawn care, often get little to show for it.

NY Alarm Company Cited for Deceptive Contracts Self-renewing contracts illegal in New York unless proper notice is given.

Tougher Criteria for Energy Star Clothes Washers Energy Department's new standards require water conservation as well as reduced energy consumption.

Colorado Mortgage Broker Barred from Making Deceptive Claims PWR Processing, Inc. promised consumers "no-fee," low-interest home mortgages following a process of multiple refinances.

Springtime Prime Season for Home Repair Fraud Homeowners should get agreements in writing, deal only with established firms.

Graco Faces $4 Million Penalty Failed to report safety hazards that threatened millions of children, feds charge.

Northeast Consumers Drained by High Heating Costs Massachusetts attorney general asks utilities to "go easy."

Florida Contractor Sued Over Hurricane Service Plans Company allegedly failed to perform hurricane preparedness tasks.

Chicago Home Remodeling Firm Under Fire Blizzard of complaints became an avalanche, attorney general charges.

Pennsylvania Sues Pool Contractor All Style Pools took customers' money but built no pools.

Sleepy's Gets Wake-up Call From New Jersey Mattress retailer pays $750,000 to settle complaints.

Illinois Charges Storm Chaser with Home Repair Fraud Company collected more than $225,000 for repairs that were never completed.

Online Lawn Mower Scammer Will Make Refunds Missouri business sold Troy-Bilt equipment through online auctions but didn't deliver.

California Slays Energy Vampires New regulations limit how much electricity devices can draw when not in use.

Court Rules Against General Steel In Consumer Fraud Case Colorado charged company deceived consumers nationwide in its sale of steel buildings.

Suit Hits Sears Made In USA Claim Class action suit says Craftsman tool parts come from many nations.

Tenants Win Equity Properties Suit Florida judge rules Equity charged illegal penalties for tenants who terminated their leases early.

Home Depot, Lowe's Settle Credit Card Suit Retailers applied customer payments to interest-free items first, letting other purchasers rack up interest charges.

Missouri Sues Water "Purification" Company Hague Quality Water falsely promised its treatment system would improve health and save water, state charges.

Kmart Buys Sears Combined company hopes to compete more effectively against Wal-Mart, Home Depot.

Illinois Sues Senior Housing Developer Units are not accessible to individuals with mobility problems, lawsuit charges.

Lawsuits, Investigations Bug Orkin Florida probes racketeering allegations, consumers seek class-action suit.

Ohio Sues Thermal Seal It's the second time the state has gone after the home-improvement contractor.

Cold Weather Warning Homeowners should home heating contracts carefully.

Illinois Consumers Lost $40,000 in Home Repair Scam Second time Illinois has sued Kabinitwerks owner.

Homeowners Hung Out To Dry By Arbitration Clauses Public Citizen wants insurance commissioners to take action.

Take the Pledge: Check Out Your Contractor Now, Not Later Spring and fall are good times to get ripped off by phony home improvement contractors.

Consumers Could Lose Big in Huffman Koos Bankruptcy Process unfair to consumers, Connecticut Attorney General charges.

Shortage of Building Materials May Boost Home Prices Home builders want White House to loosen import restrictions.

Don't Mess with Texas Contractors Texas homeowners gouged by renegade contractors as courts stand idly by.

Cigarettes' Role in Fires Growing Fire safety group wants more states to require self-extinguishing cigarettes.

Feds Target Pool Safety New guidelines proposed for pool safety and entrapment hazards.

California Charges Firm Preyed on Foreclosure Victims Housing Assistance Services charged high fees but did nothing, Attorney General charges.

Court Order Against Jennifer Convertibles New York court orders company to reform its practices and pay restitution to consumers whose complaints were ignored.

Huffman Koos Furniture Chain Declares Bankruptcy Consumers urged to use caution to avoid losing deposits; pay be credit card when possible.

Whirlpool Named in Class Action Suit Suit alleges company knew of defects in Calypso washers, dryers.

Water Purification Company Faces Fraud Charges Pittsburgh company made unsubstantiated claims, Attorney General charges

An Insider's View of the "Mattress Mafia" "New" mattresses are often anything but. A longtime insider reveals industry secrets.

Study Confirms Mold Causes Health Problems The question is how to effectively deal with mold and dampness.

Class Action Charges Insurers Chiseled Hurricane Victims Insurers low-balled damage estimates, suit claims.

New York Closes BeaverHome.com Online home furniture store took money but didn't deliver.

Lawsuit Charges Mr. Coffee Knew of Problems Illinois consumer says three successive Mr. Coffee units failed.

New York Seeks Contempt Order Against Jennifer Convertibles Says furniture dealer is violating 1998 court order barring deceptive practices.

Home Improvement Contractors Charged Illinois and Missouri crack down on alleged crooked contractors.

New Jersey Sues Sleepy's Mattress chain selling defective merchandise and failed to keep delivery promises, state charges.

AARP Sues Tenant Screening Company Seniors and others denied housing because of firm's errors, suit charges.

Class Action Suit Names Home Depot, Lowe's, Monogram Credit Card Bank "Six Months Interest-Free" is anything but, suits claim.

Flood Damage? Fraud May Be Next Hazard Fraudulent "inspectors," home repair scams common after natural disasters.

New York Sprays Terminix with $759,000 Penalty Company violated environmental and consumer protection laws, state charged.

New York Sprays Terminix with $759,000 Penalty Company violated environmental and consumer protection laws, state charged.

GE to Pay $1.4 Million in Dishwasher Recall Lawsuit New York attorney general charges company duped consumers into buying a new machine instead of making a simple repair.

Goodyear Hoses Damaging Home Heating Systems National class action lawsuit being considered.