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Consumer News & Alerts

February 19, 2008

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TOYS GETTING SAFER?
In a speech to toymakers, the head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission said the agency will be better suited to protect children from dangerous toys in 2008 and congratulated the toy industry for its new voluntary safety measures. Nancy Nord provided scant details on the agency's Import Surveillance Division and once again carped about press coverage without many clues as to the exact nature of her complaints. REad more ...

War on Plastic
In the wake of the massive recalls of millions of toys with harmful levels of lead, many big retailers are going proactive and removing toys containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from their shelves, preferring to use organic and recycled plastics. Even as industry giants like Wal-Mart, Target, and Sears seem to be doing the right thing, toy industry lobbies are pushing hard to convince buyers and retailers alike that PVC is still safe to use. Who will win the plastic toy wars?

ATV Deaths Climb
Even as all-terrain-vehicle makers spar with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and consumer groups over who bears responsibility for ATV accidents, the total number of injuries and deaths continues to climb with each passing year. Joseph Enoch crunched the numbers and found 555 deaths and over 14,000 injuries from ATV-related accidents in 2006 alone, and there may be even more fatalities and accidents going unreported or unnoticed.

MAD COW SCARE LEADS TO MASSIVE BEEF RECALL
After the Humane Society released a bootleg video showing "downer" cows--clearly too sick to stand--being herded to the slaugher for sale as meat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ordered the recall of 143 million pounds of frozen beef over fears of Mad Cow disease. While the USDA is investigating the company responsible for the slaughtered cows, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) charges that the USDA is equally responsible for not acting to deal with the problem until it was too late.

More product safety news...

• Lawmakers Call For Slaughterhouse Probe Safety of school lunch program's meat questioned.

• States Asked to Probe AT&T U-Verse Explosions Equipment cabinets a threat to life and property, real estate brokers claim.

• Doctors Issue Warning on Skin-Altering Products Lightening creams linked to dangerous medical conditions.

DON'T GET LAID OUT BY FAULTY MATTRESSES
It's such an ingrained part of Presidents' Day that the Onion has written satire about it--the frenzied rush of discounted mattress sales and the attendant high-pressure pitches of salespeople desperate to move products, no matter how defective or flawed they really are. Mattress Warehouse, in particular, has been a continuing source of ire and frustration for ConsumerAffairs.com readers, who regale us with tales of deceptive sales practices and failed deliveries. Joseph Enoch takes a look at how the discount chain responds to the criticism, and what you can do to make sure you get a mattress that'll leave you lying down, not lied to.

The week's scams and outrages...

• Colorado Sues For-Profit 'Legal Aid' Firm Consumers thought they were getting competent legal help.

• Friendly Skies Could Bring Check in the Mail Virgin Atlantic, British Air admit price-fixing.

• Debt Reduction Companies Settle with Feds Companies falsely claimed they could reduce consumers' debt.

• Caremark Settles Drug-Switching Charges Company will pay millions to settle charges by 27 states.

• New York Targets Health Insurers Cuomo opens industry-wide probe of reimbursement schemes.

• FTC Sues Cephalon over Provigil Pricing Charges it blocked sale of low-cost generics.

• Kevin Trudeau Now Offering 'Debt Cures' Consumers find it hard to avoid buying more than just the book.

• Last Year's Valentine's Candy Found In New York Stores Can true love long endure if the candy is stale?

• Ohio Shuts Down Charity Bingo Game Trustees accused of stealing bingo proceeds.

• Caution: Scam Warning Is A Scam 'Warning' asks bank customers to call a toll-free number.

FEDS PREDICT RECORD GAS PRICES
The only things that change faster than gas prices are gas price predictions. This time the government's Energy Information Administration is predicting the cost of a gallon of gas may soar past $3.40 by spring. Automotive correspondent Joe Benton has the roundup of gas prices around the country for the week, and what to expect in the future.

This week's automotive news...

• New Auto Safety Legislation Aims to Protect Children 'Backovers' account for half of auto fatalities involving children.

• GM Cuts Prices for February Automaker increases incentives to move unsold units.

• Ford Recalls 57,000 More Trucks, SUVS for Fire Hazard Latest recall unrelated to other fire-related Ford recalls.

• Hazards of Rent-A-Car Child Safety Seats Consumer makes noise about illegal, unsafe seats; gets results.

Recalls ...

• Pokemon Valentine's Day Lollipop

• Bassettbaby Drop-Side Cribs

• 'A Life of Faith' Charm Bracelets

• Polaris ATVs

• Karl Kani Boys' Hoody Sweatshirts

• GE Gas Dryers

CONSUMERS SEND VALENTINES TO CONGRESS ASKING FOR CREDIT CARD REFORMS
Like most of America, Congress got its fill of Valentine's Day cards and chocolate last week--but along with the hearts and flowers came a message to push harder for reform of the credit card industry. Truman Lewis reports that the valentines to Congress are part of a larger crusade by consumer groups to end the abusive practices of credit card companies to lighten the burden from a weak economy.

More economic and financial news...

• Tax Rebate Goes Only to Those Who File Even taxpayers who don't normally file a return must do so.

• Home Sales Plummet in 4th Quarter Western states see biggest drop, south close behind.

• Fewer Consumers Getting Mortgages Interest rates fall but so does loan activity.

• Foreclosures Up In Most Urban Metros Last Year Detroit, Stockton, Las Vegas among the hardest hit.

• ACORN, Countrywide Tweak Subprime Relief Plan Plan helps distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure.

IS IDENTITY THEFT DECREASING OR NOT?
A pair of reports were published in the past week dealing with identity theft--but they had very different conclusions. A study conducted by Javelin Research and funded in part by Visa claimed that identity theft was on the decline, with telephones supplanting computer crime as the biggest source of fraud. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission published its annual consumer fraud report, which indicated that not only was identity theft and fraud still the biggest source of consumer annoyance, but that it was also on the rise. Who should you believe?

More technology news...

• Anonymous E-mails Could Reduce STDs Be sure to read morning-after emails.

• Congress Gets Net Neutrality Legislation Bill would bar ISPs from blocking or delaying content.

• Starbucks Serves Up Free Wi-Fi Coffee shops switch from T-Mobile to AT&T.

• Love Bug Hits the Internet Those seeking love online may wind up with a virus instead.

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS LINKED TO WEIGHT GAIN
For years we've been ingesting low-or-no-calorie sodas and sweeteners in an effort to tame our weight. But a new study from Purdue University shows that ingesting these sweeteners actually has the opposite effect--that they can screw up the body's digestive process and lead people to eat more and put on more calories. While the information isn't yet conclusive, the research indicates that calorie counters will have to do more work than simply trust sweeteners to do their job.

More health news...

• ALS Not Just an Older Person's Disease Lou Gehrig's disease can also strike younger people.

• Doctors Issue Warning on Skin-Altering Products Lightening creams linked to dangerous medical conditions.

• China Connection in Heparin Problems? FDA investigating whether active ingredient came from China.

• Fast Food+Sedentary Lifestyle=Liver DamageBad habits can add up over time.

• Children Face Increased Heart Risks Studies indicate heart disease on the upswing.

• Heart Attacks Drop After Smoking Ban in Italy Ban on smoking in public places pays off.

• More Painkillers Can Cause More Pain One experimental treatment stopped; rest of study continues.

• Heparin Linked to Severe Allergic Reactions FDA advises caution til problem is resolved.

• 'Secrets' of Extreme Longevity Revealed Good habits in early old age lead to extra decades.

• Blood Pressure Patients Ignore Recommended Diet Study finds dietary habits getting worse.

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