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Consumer News & Alerts

May 7, 2007

THAT CINGULAR FEELING
There are some customers, like Justin Callaway, you just shouldn't kiss off. Justin encountered a little-publicized problem with Cingular cell phones and didn't get any help -- or even any interest -- from Cingular. The result: a music video that spoofs Cingular and cancels out more than a few million dollars worth of American Idols advertising. Cingular could have avoided looking foolish by paying a little attention to its customer. But it didn't. Like most companies, Cingular still doesn't get it. They don't realize that the consumer marketplace is no longer a one-way street. Through Web sites like ours, consumers can compare notes, go on rants and, if they're as creative as Justin, create their own music videos.

“This is an exciting time for consumers. More than any other time there are outlets like ConsumerAffairs.com, where they can share, hear and respond to other consumer's stories,” Justin said.

We agree, of course, but companies aren't happy that consumers have their own voice, as demonstrated by the increasing number of lawsuits against consumers and consumer sites. There are quite a few other ominous machinations going on that lead us to suspect business interests are mounting a campaign to muzzle consumers and their Web outlets. In the long run this won't work but we may be in for a few years of fireworks. Stay tuned.

HIGH TECH PETS SETTLES CHARGES
Tail between its legs, the purveyor of doggie doors, electronic collars and other accessories last week agreed to settle charges filed by the Ventura County, Calif., district attorney that it used deceptive sales and advertising to sell pet-care accessories, and agreed to replace or repair defective products or give customers refunds. The DA's charges mirrored those submitted to our site over the years.

SENATE APPROVES FOOD SAFETY BILL
Hounded by angry pet owners and food-poisoning victims, the Senate has approved an amendment to strengthen the country’s food safety system. But the measure is missing a key ingredient -- the FDA would still lack the authority to order a recall of contaminated food. It's estimated that 76 million people suffer from food poisoning each year. At least 5,000 of them die.

Even in the best-case scenario, Congressional action won't have much of an effect right away, leading the ASPCA to warn that the pet food crisis is far from over. Pet owners should watch their pets carefully and head for the vet's office at the first sign of illness.

Our Lisa Wade McCormick has been following the many developments in the never-ending pet food saga, including ...

• Menu Foods Expands Recall, Questions about Other Brands China arrests executive implicated in contaminated exports.

• New Theory on Dog and Cat Poisonings Food safety agencies "asleep," Congresswoman says.

• Melamine Shows Up In Chicken Feed Risk of adverse human health effects low, government officials insist.

• Spiked Pet Food Nothing New to Chinese, Times Finds New recalls include Harmony Farms, Natural Balance.

WATCH FOR RISING PRICES
The oil companies are turning Wal-Mart's falling-prices slogan upside down, setting new records every day in California and elsewhere. The average price of gas nationwide hit $3.01 at week's end and may continue to rise through May, our Joe Benton reports. Meanwhile, economists are beginning to worry that high gas prices could choke economic growth as consumers cut back their spending on other commodities.

In other automotive developments ...

• U.S.-Mexico Cross-Border Trucks Ready to Roll Despite protests from safety advocates, U.S., Mexico proceed with pilot program.

• Feds Probe Jeep Commander, Pontiac G6 Problems Stalling and power steering problems reported by consumers.

SOMETHING FOR NOTHING
We're always warning consumers that they shouldn't expect to get something for nothing. But now and then, we're proven wrong. Such is the case with Ubuntu, the open-source Linux software that is a no-cost, no-hassle replacement for the expensive and often-bloated products from Microsoft and Apple. We have been testing the latest version for weeks and can't find anything bad to say about it. See our review to learn how Ubuntu just might be right for you.

SENATE MOVES AHEAD WITH DATA BREACH BILLS
The Senate appears to be serious about enshrining at least minimal consumer protection against data breaches. Trouble is, while the proposed protection would be better than nothing, Martin Bosworth reports it would be weaker than consumers now enjoy in some states and, as usual, federal law trumps the states.

CitiTube Remember how we used to worry that the government would have cameras everywhere and would be watching our every move? Turns out, everybody has a camera and it's big business and government who are being embarrassed. Latest example: the dust-up over a video that is said to show discarded consumer data in trash bins outside Citibank offices in New York.

KILLER SMOKE
A new study confirms the risk of secondhand smoke outdoors. Stanford University researchers conducted the first in-depth study on how smoking affects air quality at sidewalk cafés, park benches and other outdoor locations. They found that a non-smoker sitting a few feet downwind from a smoldering cigarette is likely to be exposed to substantial levels of contaminated air for brief periods of time. And, as the Surgeon General has found, even brief exposures to secondhand smoke may have adverse effects on the heart and respiratory systems and increase the severity of asthma attacks, especially in children.

None of that means anything to our loyal band of smokers, who regularly exhale all over us everytime we publish a story about smoking's ill effects. "You are so FULL OF IT," wrote Beth of Marlboro, Mass. "Give me a break; you're trying to tell me that people die of second hand smoke??? I'd like to see concrete evidence of this." Beth should, of course, read the story a little more carefully, since it reports that researchers have found just that -- concrete evidence. A visit to the nearest respiratory ward might pay off as well.

States Attack "Cocaine" Drink Some marketing genius thought it would be cool to sell an energy drink and call it "Cocaine." It's said to be a “legal alternative” to illicit street drugs but no one's very amused. Texas has obtained an injunction banning the sale of the stuff and Illinois is demanding the drink be removed from shelves.

More health news ...

• FDA Wants Stronger Anti-Depressant Warnings The agency wants drugmakers to update the existing black box warning on their products' labeling to include warnings about increased risks of suicidal thinking and behavior, known as suicidality, in young adults ages 18 to 24 during initial treatment.

• Aches and Pains? You May Be Depressed A study finds it's often physical symptoms that bring individuals to seek treatment for depression.

• Moderate Coffee Drinking Reduces Health Risks Researchers say myths about coffee's supposed risks are just that, myths.

• Aging, Medications Can Affect Appetite Seniors need to have a plan to ensure they can adequate nutrition, the Healthy Geeze reminds us.

DISNEY DOUSES SMOKING AT RESORT HOTELS
The Disney empire plays up its supposed family-friendly attributes but it was certainly in no hurry to ban smoking at its resort hotels, despite very clear evidence that secondhand smoke is especially harmful to children. It's finally done so, long after other major chains.

More travel notes from Dan Schlossberg's play book ...

• Spirit Offers Tickets for Pocket Change Discount carrier lowers the ante with some fares in the single digits. You'll pay for every extra, though.

• New Runway Eases Atlanta Airport Gridlock Black hole of air travel gets some relief as another runway opens at Hartsfield.

• The Two Faces of First Class International airlines take first class into new stratospheres but it is disappearing at home.

SCAMS & OUTRAGES

• Publishers’ Clearing House Seniors buying lots of unnecessary merchandise in hopes of winning big, Iowa warns.

• Property Deed Scheme Scheme soaks consumers for something they could get much cheaper, may expose them to identity theft.

• Warehouse Bank Promoter told taxpayers they could legally hide their assets to avoid taxation.

• Human Smuggling Scam Targets Hispanic Families Families told their relative is being held for ransom.

RECALLS

DAGWOOD'S GETTING CLUMSY
First it was nail guns, now it's ladders that are tripping up weekend handymen. A new study finds a rapid increase in the number of ladder injuries lately. “Individuals using ladders are often not mindful of the severe risks associated with use,” said the study’s co-author. In other words, they're not careful enough. Most of the accidents, not surprisingly, occur at home.

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