Complain about a product or service

Mark Huffman's Consumer News & Alerts

Mark Huffman

ConsumerAffairs.com offers these professionally-produced :59 features for your unrestricted use anytime. Updated each Friday afternoon.

Weekend of January 27, 2007

• Firm sued for pushing annuities on seniors
• Old scam resurfaces in Canada
• Taxpayers shun free IRS tax service
• Hoodia peddlers make off with consumers' credit card info
• Acid reflux relief doesn't have to cost a lot

Weekend of January 20, 2007

• Cashier's checks growing targetof counterfeiters
• "Hit man" scam quickly evolves
• Even small banks can be phishing targets
• Don't miss these late-added deductions
• "Zombie" computers multiply, and so does spam

Weekend of January 13, 2007

• USDA proposes lifting Canadian beef import ban
• Study points to disparities in Medicare Drug Program
• To criminals, scamming is better the second time around
• Don't fall for the Tony Soprano Scam
• Feds take aim at weight loss claims

Weekend of January 6, 2007

• Improving food safety
• Will the new Congress help consumers?
• Restaurants shedding transfat
• Don't fall for the scholarship scam
• Weight loss scams abound this time of year

Weekend of December 30, 2006

• Gift cards becoming new criminal currency
• Pill target's alcoholics' cravings
• Jetblue rips out some seats
• Job seekers beware
• Microsoft extends Xbox warranty

Weekend of December 23, 2006

• Survey finds jump in holiday debt
• Gift cards can be big gifts for stores
• A transfat that's good for you?
• FTC scores one against the scammers
• FDA wants warning about some pain relievers

Weekend of December 16, 2006

• AOL settles fraud charges with Florida
• Realors see no rebound in 2007
• Dead cat invited on student trip
• Negative option marketer pays fine
• Feds crack down on work at home schemes

Weekend of December 9, 2006

• Fake travelers checks scam resurfaces
• A cheaper alternative to Medicare Part D
• Stay away from payday loans
• At least one state cracking down on "scareware"
• Air travel may be difficult for the holidays

Weekend of December 2, 2006

• Gift card scam could spoil holiday for some
• A possible solution to laptop thefts?
• Canadians warn of puppy scam
• Do violent video games have impact on young brains?
• Two different visions of the video game future

Weekend of November 25, 2006

• Watch out for "credit card traps"
• Home prices slip in third quarter
• MADD seeks technological solution to drunk driving
• Fundraising appeal exploits seniors
• Payday lenders move into cyberspace

Weekend of November 18, 2006

• Consumers seek refunds from online furniture seller
• Online holiday shopping tips
• Cell phone shoppers fall for scam
• Scammers impersonating Social Security Administration
• Extended warranties usually a bad idea

Weekend of November 11, 2006

• Major adware firm pays hefty fine
• Planning for retirement is one thing, planning for old age is another
• "Smishing" targets mobile phone users
• NASD warns of stock scam
• What do you know about dietary supplements?

Weekend of November 4, 2006

• Use caution when buying a car online
• New concern about bird flu
• Prescription drug discount cards can be misleading
• "Utility" lottery the latest scam from Canada
• Common drug renders Tamiflu ineffective

Weekend of October 28, 2006

• Some lottery scammers impersonate consumer organizations
• Foreclosures on the rise
• CT Scans might prevent lung cancer deaths
• More counterfeit check scams cropping up
• Sony recalls more computer batteries

Weekend of October 21, 2006

• FBI cautions online job seekers
• Kansas scam victim finds more help in Canada than U.S.
• Phony MySpace music download site is ID theft scam
• Pyramid schemes continue to find victims
• Drug reactions can be life or death matter

Weekend of October 14, 2006

• Another reason to lose weight
• Beware of door to door salesmen
• R.J. Reynolds' flavored cigarettes are a no-no
• What's ahead for gas prices?
• "Convenience" checks come with a price

Weekend of October 7, 2006

• Wireless carrier sued over marketing practices
• Hotels a good place to catch a cold
• Florida sues to stop cramming
• Expert seems more food safety trouble ahead
• FTC shuts down Qchex

Weekend of September 30, 2006

• Scammers pushing bogus group health insurance
• NYC restaurants may have to go trans-fat-free
• A sea change in home prices?
• States may add oversight to online dating sites
• Hospital costs continue to rise

Weekend of September 23, 2006

• Researchers worried that Botox may be addictive
• Government offers ways to stiop ID theft
• Recognizing a pyramid scheme when you see one
• How to cope with the fresh spinach crises
• Trust your broker, not some email

Weekend of September 16, 2006

• Doctors want kids under 16 off ATVs
• Many complaints about "magnetic" bedding products
• Who's buying your medical records?
• "Girls Gone Wild" charged with sexually exploiting children
• Parents question international travel marketing practices

Weekend of September 9, 2006

• Nigerian "419" scam still victimizes
• Concerns about "affinity" scams
• Joining this club could make air travel easier
• A new low for scammers
• Smokers may get their own airline

Weekend of September 2, 2006

• Tech world to study laptop battery problem
• Pennsylvania cracks down on dating service
• AT&T sues to stop sale of private phone records
• Car safety outpaces driver safety
• Avoiding those "secret shopper" come ons

Weekend of August 26, 2006

• New rules for Plan B birth control pill
• Does paying extra for a hybrid pay off?
• New fake travelers checks look like real thing
• Finding a good prepaid wireless plan
• Watch out for travel scams

Weekend of August 19, 2006

• Dell recalls 4.1 million laptop batteries
• Why truck drivers should get their full 8 hours
• Another drawback to dial up servicet
• FTC shuts down spyware operations
• New pension law signed

Weekend of August 12, 2006

• Chinese consumers have a beef with Dell
• Soft drinks' role in obesity debated
• New scam has JFK conspiracy twist
• FTC sues to stop spyware operation
• New pension rules signed into law

Weekend of August 5, 2006

• Dell laptop suspect in truck fire
• GAO report says home DNA test kits a waste of money
• Lottery company warns scammers are using its name
• Airlines keep losing more luggage
• How to spot a spoof

Weekend of July 29, 2006

• Study blasts state real estate commissions
• A dangerous new twist in phishing scams
• Serious concerns about cancer drug
• Bogus tonic maker fined
• Progress reported on bird flu vaccine

Weekend of July 22, 2006

• Food marketers target kids online
• Are computer prices too high?
• Flu shots may not be so critical for seniors after all
• Seniors increasingly the target of investment fraud
• Talking to telemarketers can be dangerous

ConsumerAffairs.com offers these professionally-produced :59 features for your unrestricted use anytime. Updated each Friday afternoon.

Weekend of July 15, 2006

• FDA pressed for stronger mercury warnings for fish
• Group says seniors growing target of scams
• Medicare drug help lines said not to be that helpful
• Company fined for misleading consumers about drug benefits
• New scam targets PayPal account holders

Weekend of July 8, 2006

• Credit card company rapped for not revealing ENOUGH information
• Stats show consumers getting squeezed
• Google won't cede Net Neutrality without a fight
• Verizon Wireless adds some consumer protection
• "WhoIs" database called vital for fight against scams

Weekend of July 1, 2006

• A dangerous new scam
• Your Congressman may not be that eager to hear from you
• Homeowners increasingly worried about rising costs
• Troubling new report about secondhand smoke
• Girls Gone Wild may be out of control

Weekend of June 24, 2006

• Don't fall for advance fee credit scams
• Whole Foods to post warnings about mercury in seafood
• Scammers impersonate PayPal to steal identities
• Southwest Air tests assigned seating
• Study shows fewer consumers using Web as travel tool

Weekend of June 17, 2006

• State ID Theft protections endangered by Congress
• Study warns of crises in emergency care
• Netflix customer suspects postal employees enjoying his movies
• The latest email scam targets credit union members
• Suits accuse tax relief company of fraud

Weekend of June 10, 2006

• Scammers losing interest in your credit card number
• Consumers could be wasting billions on prescription drugs
• Restaurants urged to limit portion sizes
• Scammers exploit banking law loophole
• Gas pump entertainment

Weekend of June 3, 2006

• Scammers follow the news
• Jobseekers are favorite scam targets
• How to spot a scam in your in-box
• Consumers keep wolfing down trans fatty acids
• For Vertrue, another state, another fraud suit

Weekend of May 27, 2006

• The Internet's getting scarier all the time
• International probe brings down major scam operation
• A warning for inventors
• Sleep off the pounds
• The hiddle cost of those supersize meals

Weekend of May 20, 2006

• Good luck with your bags at the airport
• Florida opens wide-ranging "cramming" probe
• Scammers can use scraps to steal from you
• FTC widens action against telemarketers
• Has the bird flu virus mutated?

Weekend of May 13, 2006

• Inside the infamous 419 Scam
• FTC cracks down on weight loss marketers
• Scammer uses newspaper ad for loans to ensnare victims
• States put heat on MySpace.com
• Phishing scammers go Old School

Weekend of May 6, 2006

• Soda distributors agree to limits on soft drinks in schools
• Home Depot settles charges its interest policies were deceptive
• Analyst sees more recalls ahead for Bausch & Lomb
• Beware the trash hauling scam
• Watch out for work at home scams

Weekend of April 29, 2006

• Alcohol and pain relievers could be dangerous
• Online car scam still snares victims
• Don't fall for a "live check" scheme
• Consumer Confidence takes a surprising turn
• Consumers reach their "ouch" limit on gas

Weekend of April 22, 2006

• There's no cure for high gas prices
• Phony bill collector targets Cingular customers
• Pesticides turn up in cigarette smoke
• Washington deletes shady spyware pitch
• Feds may crack down on "creative" mortgages

Weekend of April 15, 2006

• Adjustable Rate Mortgages favored by low income homebuyers
• Scammers exploiting air disaster
• Immigrants targeted in new scam
• Lottery scam gets a new look
• Consumer group wants to ban popular fat blocker

Weekend of April 8, 2006

• Airline complaints take off
• Fake Ebay email will try to scam you
• Report says tax preparers prone to mistakes
• State officials worry about IRS privacy policies
• More people are "losing" their identities

Weekend of April 1, 2006

• "Cheap Goverment Land" scam making a comeback
• Class action suit targets Blue Hippo's high priced computers
• GAO report raises concerns about IRS security
• Chase customers target of phishing scam
• Beware the scams of spring

Weekend of March 25, 2006

• "$299 Scam" exploits Medicare drug confusion
• Consumer groups call for stronger protections against phishing
• A ticket to trouble
• 911 still a problem for Internet telephone customers
• Bird flu pandemic fears may be overblown

Weekend of March 18, 2006

• Identity Theft Victims Getting Younger
• Your tax preparer may be allowed to sell your data
• States making progress against smoking
• How your trade-in can take you for a ride
• Opposition grows to proposed Wal-Mart bank

Weekend of March 11, 2006

• FTC issues warning about online auction fraud
• Cigarette sales plunge in 2005
• Another scam warning from the IRS
• Use care in selecting mulch this spring
• New twist on the sweepstakes scam

Weekend of March 4, 2006

• Study warns cell phones on planes are accident waiting to happen
• New scam targets nannies
• One state gets serious about phone record sales
• Iowa suspends Vision Enhancement product
• Feds smack down shopping spree scam

Weekend of February 25, 2006

• How satisfied are you with your cell phone?
• Scammer uses phony Oprah tickets as bait
• Group charges Refund Anticipation Loans target poor
• A scammer could be hiding in your local phone book
• Gift cards continue to draw consumer complaints

Weekend of February 18, 2006

• A Scam Victim Fights Back
• Group Says Mercury Levels Rising In Sport Fish
• Caliornia Sues Over Refund Anticipation Loans
• It's Tax Scam Season
• Seniors Should Guard Against Medicare Scams

Weekend of February 11, 2006

• Your Privacy Is For Sale
• Parking Lot Offer Of Cheap Computer Is A Scam
• New Jersey Hits Lawn Service With Fraud Charge
• Iowa Sues For Unclaimed Consumer Rebates
• Don't Fall For The Mystery Shopper Moneygram Scam

Weekend of February 4, 2006

• Avoid Credit "Repair" Businesses
• As If The Price Of Gas Wasn't High Enough
• Updating The Old Lottery Scam
• Battle Over Phone Record Sales Heats Up
• Mortgage Rescuers Prey On Desperate Homeowners

Weekend of January 28, 2006

• Online Scammers Targeting Bank Customers
• The Top 10 Scams
• What Worries Web Users?
• "Fat" Pill May Be Headed For OTC Sales
• Handheld Digital Device May Be In Danger

Weekend of January 21, 2006

• A New Face On An Old Scam
• Lots Of Scams Among The Home Business Opportunities
• How About Some Free Help Doing Your Taxes?
• Consumer Groups Sue Over Junk Food On TV
• A Victim Of The Digital Revolution

Weekend of January 14, 2006

• Adjustable Rate Mortgage Rates Ready To Jump
• Using Princess Di's Memory To Fleece The Public
• Home Sales Should Slow In 2006
• FBI Warms Scammers Exploiting Mine Disaster
• Old Scam Gets A New Look

Weekend of January 7, 2006

• Credit Card Thieves Come Up With New Scam
• Spyware Firms Fined For Deceptive Tactics
• Telemarketing Firm Hounding Consumers For Questionable Debts
• Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places Gets Expensive
• Resolve To Protect Your Identity

Weekend of December 31, 2005

• NASD Warns Investors Of Bogus Stock Tip
• 2005's Top Telemarketing Scams
• Resolve To Protect Your Bank Account Info Better
• Don't Fall For Free Merchandise Offers
• Fannie Mae Impersonator Tries To Scam You Twice

Weekend of December 24, 2005

• H&R Block Settles More Payday Loan Cases
• Callers Who Want To Steal Your Identity
• Latest Scam Features Free Computer Offer
• Lenders Warned Not To Be So Creative
• Scammers Active Online During Holidays

Weekend of December 17, 2005

• FDA Slams 9 Companies For Selling Bogus Bird Flu Drugs
• It Will Be Harder To Buy Some Cold Medicine Under Revised Patriot Act
• Double Trouble For DirecTV
• Corporate America Wants Tougher Video Game Guidelines
• AAA Predicts Record Holiday Travel

Weekend of December 10, 2005

• Mazda5 Tops Consumer Reports List
• Government Report Charges Advertisers Help Make Kids Fat
• FDA Warns Consumers About Miracle II
• New Xbox Already Object Of Lawsuit
• Feds Seize Supplements Containing Ephedra

Weekend of December 3, 2005

• FTC Says ISPs Getting A Grip On Spam
• When Shopping, Keep Return Policies In Mind
• Some Pitfalls Of Online Holiday Shopping
• Avoid The Coupon Book Scam
• The IRS Doesn't Give Frequent-Payer Awards

Weekend of November 26, 2005

• Connecticut To Probe Wal-Mart Pricing
• Survey Shows Consumers Dislike Shopping For Wireless Phones
• Some Toys Can Still Be Hazardous
• Tennessee Couple Avoid Stolen Check Scam
• Don't Gobble These Consumer Turkeys

Weekend of November 19, 2005

• Western Union Agrees To Fight Fraud
• A Predatory Lending Trap
• States Want Fed Help In Protecting Car Buyers From Lemons
• Who Do Consumers Pick As Best Rental Car Agency?
• Group Says Cleaner Hospitals Would Save Taxpayers Billions

Weekend of November 12, 2005

• Fake Google Site Tries To Steal Your Identity
• Illinois Sues Health Discount Plans For Fraud
• Government Warns Marketers Of Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Oil Companies Defend Record Profits
• Verizon Wireless Sues To Protect Customers' Privacy

Weekend of November 5, 2005

• Apple Sued Over Alleged Ipod Defect
• Cost Of Drugs Still Soaring
• Survey: Hurricane Area Consumers Insurance Satisfaction Falls
• Foreign Lottery Victim Speaks Out
• States Charge Company Trying To Deceive Consumers About New Medicare Drug Benefit

Weekend of October 29, 2005

• Offer Of Free Merchandise Almost Always Bogus
• Airline Industry Faces A Crossroads
• Advance Fee Credit Card No Bargain
• Group Wants More Honesty On Food Packages
• Health Officials Gear Up For Possible Bird Flu Pandemic

Weekend of October 22, 2005

• FTC Says "Anti-Aging" Sprays Don't Work
• Another State Shuts Down Grant Schemes
• Check Your Credit Card Bill Closely
• Court Shutters Music Sharing Site
• Scammers Use Sweepstakes Offer To Get In Your Pocket

Weekend of October 15, 2005

• FTC Tries To Unplug Web Kiosk Business
• Groups Seek Nutrition Labels For Alcohol
• Study: Cancer Diagnosis Errors Common
• Groups Seek To Block H&R Block's Bank Ambitions
• Jury Duty Scam Now Found Nationwide

Weekend of October 8, 2005

• Consumer Group Slams Credit Card Industry
• Consumers Balk At $3 A Gallon Gas
• Bank Finds Way To Help Consumers Save
• FTC Settles With Spyware Maker
• Cell Phone Consumers Increasingly Likely To Switch

Weekend of October 1, 2005

• Makers of Abs Force Citied For Ad Claims
• Foreign Currency Scam Snares Seniors
• Don't Let ID Theft Fears Make You Fall For A Scam
• Doctors Investigated For Transplate Procedures
• High Gas Prices Causing Slow Credit Card Payments

Weekend of September 24, 2005

• Cortislim Marketers Forfeit Assets
• ChoicePoint Data Breach Worse Than First Thought
• Cox Wins Honors In Internet Provider Survey
• Court Rules Text Messages Covered By Telemarketing Law
• Telemarketers Cited For Trying To Sell Placement On Free Do Not Call List

Weekend of September 17, 2005

• Analyst Sees $100 Brl Oil By 2007
• FBI Investigates Scammers Posing As Red Cross
• We May Think We Know More About Credit Than We Do
• Study Says Insured Get Most Timely Medical Care
• Canon Subject Of Class Action Suit

Weekend of September 10, 2005

• Coffee Prices Headed Higher
• Ford Recalls 4 Million "Flaming" Trucks
• States Record Numerous Gas Price Violations After Katrina
• Beware Of The Katrina Relief Scams
• Government Says Tires Are Getting Safer

Weekend of September 3, 2005

• Extra Perk From Your Morning Java
• Scammers Targeting Medicare Recipients
• FDA Approves New Flu Vaccine
• Beware Of The Collect Call Scam
• Study Doubts Cell Phone-Tumor Link

Weekend of August 27, 2005

• Same Scam, Different Variations
• FTC Reaches Settlement With Marketers Of "Smoke Away"
• Donated Cell Phone Ends Up On Ebay
• Economists Fret Over "Runaway" Real Estate Market
• Software Technician Uncovers Identity Theft Operation

Weekend of August 20, 2005

• FreeCreditReports.com Settles FTC Charges
• That Free Cell Phone Ring Tone May Not Be So Free
• Iowa Sues Makers Of See Clearly Method
• Consumer Doesn't Fall For Car Sale Scam
• Job Seekers Targeted In Check Scam

Weekend of August 13, 2005

• That "Survey" Could Be A Scam
• Texas Shuts Down Internet Bank
• Realtors Say Home Sales Ready To Slow Down
• Martha Stewart, Kmart, Sued Over Patio Furniture
• That "Overpaying" Buyer Is Scamming You!

Weekend of August 6, 2005

• Do Obese People Get Less Prentative Health Care?
• How Banks Could Increase Debit Card Security
• When It Comes To Mercury, Not All Canned Tuna Is The Same
• Advertising.com Settles Charges With FTC
• IBM Study Sees Surge In Spam And Viruses

Weekend of July 30, 2005

• AMA Warns Against Health Insurance Mergers
• Is Real Estate Market Overheated?
• Feds Close Down Cold Remedy Factory
• Recall Roundup
• Seniors Growing Target Of Fraud

Weekend of July 23, 2005

• Study Faults Alcohol Ads
• Fed Chief Says Home Prices To Fall In Some Areas
• Target Recalls Toys Trucks
• Feds Shift Course, Seeks Bigger Tobacco Penalty
• Tiki Torch Sold At Wal-Mart Recalled

Weekend of July 16, 2005

• Financial Advisors Arrested For Fraud
• Consumer Complain About "Shattering" Martha Stewart Furniture
• NHTSA Concerned About Mustangs' Carpet
• Feds Want To Listen In When Airline Passengers Web Surf
• Consumer Economy Improves In June

Weekend of July 9, 2005

• 9/11 Coin Suit Gains Class Action Status
• Gas Prices Mostly Keyed To Oil Price
• Poll Shows Motorists Irked At Other Drivers
• US Air Bags Snacks In Coach
• FDA Issues Warning About Some Cake Batter Ice Cream

Weekend of July 2, 2005

• Americans Want More Efficiency From Detroit
• Consumers Sue Over Data Security
• Who Stands Behind Your Extended Warranty?
• Lexus Voted "Most Dependable" Again
• Bill Would Give Consumers Control Of Their Credit Reports

Weekend of June 18, 2005

• Identity Theft Can Be Pretty Simple
• Housing Sales Still Hot
• Bomb Sniffers Coming Soon
• VW Clears the Air
• Northwest Fares Take Off

Weekend of June 10, 2005

• Hartz Mountain Flatlines Tea & Flick Collars
• Tires Get Old Too
• Feds Not Likely to Stiffen Car Roof Strength Standards
• New Credit Rules - Benefit or Headache?
• Will the Boxfish Give the Prius a Run?

Weekend of June 3, 2005

• Tropicana not so "heart healthy" after all
• Silverado drivers becoming very cautious
• Ford jumps on tire-dating bandwagon
• Infant seats getting safer, feds find
• Able Labs recalls all its generic drugs

Weekend of May 28, 2005

• Credit Scores Tell the Tale, Insurers Insist
• Side Airbags Prove Their Worth
• Real Estate Still Rising
• West Virginia Clips Coupon Company
• Suzuki Verona Flunks Crash Test

Weekend of May 21, 2005

• Pilots Slam Airport Security
• Senate Rejects SUV Mileage Rules
• 911 Comes to the Web Telephone World
• Perplexing Prius Problems
• Numbers Aren't Everything

Week of May 16, 2005

• Carmakers On Their Own White House won't ride to the rescue this time.
• Merck's Marketing Murky Congress looks at Merck's Vioxx sales practices.
• Realtors May Be in Trouble Justice Department looks at alleged anti-competitive practices.
• Toyota Lends a Hand Toyota willing to work with GM on hybrid technology.
• Doing Well by Doing Good New Lexus hybrid gets tax break.

Week of May 9, 2005

• A&P Learns Meaning of "Do Not Call" Kitchen magic sweepstakes out of line, New York charges.
• Judge Wants Vioxx Settlement Merck wants to fight but judge wants settlement.
• Credit Bureaus: Part of the Problem? Big three credit bureaus not much help.
• Casket Class Action Lawsuit charges funeral homes have blocked casket competition.
• Wrong Number Scam Scam artists leave phony "wrong number" stock tip.

Week of May 2, 2005

Mark Huffman anchors these 59-second reports. There are no spots, breaks or commercial avails. Outcue: "For ConsumerAffairs.com, I'm Mark Huffman."

• Cell Phone Roulette Finding the right cell carrier shouldn't be a shot in the dark.
• Consumer Drug Ads Hit Docs What patients want, they get.
• How Do Those Pills Work? Sometimes the answer is, they don't.
• Mortgage Rates Still Going Down Good news for homebuyers.
• Driving in the Dark? Report questions value of government rollover tests.

Week of April 25, 2005

Mark Huffman anchors these 59-second reports. There are no spots, breaks or commercial avails. Outcue: "For ConsumerAffairs.com, I'm Mark Huffman."

• Intel Pushing WiMax Chip New technology will extend wireless broadband's reach.
• It's Not Easy Being Thrifty American consumers score poorly on crafty consumer test.
• The Grass Is Always Greener Yes, but greener for who?
• Health Discount Not Health Insurance Discount scam entraps many consumers.
• Are We Ready for a Major Flu Outbreak? Disturbing answers from a new report.

Week of April 18, 2005

Mark Huffman anchors these 59-second reports. There are no spots, breaks or commercial avails. Outcue: "For ConsumerAffairs.com, I'm Mark Huffman."

• Congress Passes Bankruptcy Bill It will soon be much harder to clear all debts in a bankruptcy proceeding.
• Big Bowflex Fine Nautilus was too slow in reporting safety problems with its Bowflex machines.
• Data, Data Everywhere There've been more leaks of consumer data than previously admitted.
• Big Bad Blogs Security experts say blogs can be dangerous to your computer's health.
• A Breeze that Blows No Good Air purifiers that emit ozone can cause problems.

Week of April 11, 2005

Mark Huffman anchors these 59-second reports. There are no spots, breaks or commercial avails. Outcue: "For ConsumerAffairs.com, I'm Mark Huffman."

• FDA Clamps Down on Painkillers Bextra pulled from the market, stiffer warnings for other drugs.
• VOIP Gets Serious AOL gets into the race.
• How High Can You Go? Gas prices climbing stairway to Heaven
• Are Stress Tests Effective? Bill Clinton poster child for stress test, report says.
• GM Trucks Do Poorly in Crash Tests Latest government test results are hard on GM.

Week of April 4, 2005

Mark Huffman anchors these 59-second reports. There are no spots, breaks or commercial avails. Outcue: "For ConsumerAffairs.com, I'm Mark Huffman."

• Cingular Wins Complaint Derby Combined Cingular/AT&T Wireless most complained-about.
• Diesel Getting More Popular High gas prices driving the switch to diesel.
• Credit Counselors Closed Down Federal prosecutors say counselors misled consumers.
• Dangerous Appliances Hamilton Beach/Procter Silex pays penalty for failing to quickly report safety defects.
• Readers Digest Settles Sweepstakes Suit Connecticut sued the magazine, claiming fraud.

Week of March 28, 2005

Mark Huffman anchors these 59-second reports. There are no spots, breaks or commercial avails. Outcue: "For ConsumerAffairs.com, I'm Mark Huffman."

• Flaming Ford Probe Expands Feds look beyond 2000-year models.
• Ameridebt Pays Up, Signs Off Debt counseling firm settles federal charges, goes out of business.
• JetBlue, Southwest Sweep Customer Satisfaction Survey Low fares and smiles all around.
• Mutual Funds Settle Charges More market-timing charges emerge.
• Hyundai Ups Ante with Satellite Radio Koreans are first to make satellite radio standard in new cars.

Week of March 21, 2005

Mark Huffman anchors these 59-second reports. There are no spots, breaks or commercial avails. Outcue: "For ConsumerAffairs.com, I'm Mark Huffman."

• MasterCard Snuffs Online Cigarette Sales Almost all online cigarette sales are illegal and can't be processed, MasterCard reminds banks.
• Overweight Country Kids Obesity a bigger problem for rural kids than their city counterparts.
• Credit Scores Can Be Puzzling Survey shows Americans don't understand their credit scores.
• Korean Carmakers Not Happy Insurance safety survey found Korean cars dangerous.
• The Nigerian Scam Revisited New version of old scam, this one supposedly from a U.S. soldier in Iraq.

Week of March 14, 2005

Mark Huffman anchors these 59-second reports. There are no spots, breaks or commercial avails. Outcue: "For ConsumerAffairs.com, I'm Mark Huffman."

• More Kids Dying on Motorbikes Fatalities increase as moutainbikes are ridden on the street.
• Asian Cars Still the Favorites Toyota Prius scores highest in satisfation survey.
• Disabled Want Full Access to Cruise Ships Supreme Court hears arguments on whether cruise ships must comply with Americans With Disabilities Act.
• Safety in Small Packages? Small cars do poorly in side impact tests.
• Consumer Warnings Don't Always Work Seniors often get it backwards, study finds.

Week of March 7, 2005

Mark Huffman anchors these 59-second reports. There are no spots, breaks or commercial avails. Outcue: "For ConsumerAffairs.com, I'm Mark Huffman."

• Should FDA Be More Powerful? The agency claims it doesn't have enough power to regulate drugs.
• Ford Loses Another One A Texas jury finds Ford liable for a rollover accident involving an Explorer.
• Pay More, Get Less A study finds that higher insurance prices don't mean better service.
• Hang Up and Drive! The number of drivers who are on the phone continues to climb.
• Protect Yourself Against Burglary A home inventory is invaluable in recovering stolen goods and collecting compensation for those that can't be recovered.

Back to the top |