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Consumer News 2003

FedEx Buys Kinko's Response to UPS' purchase of Mailboxes Etc.?

FDA Moves to Ban Ephedra "Natural speed" blamed for more than 155 deaths.

Inspectors Try to Trace Source of Mad Cow Disease Safety tips for consumers.

FDA Wants Couriers, Credit Card Issuers to Betray Prescription Drug Reimporters Agency wants FedEx, UPS, Visa, et al, to "rat" on Canadian clients.

Apple Offers Battery Replacement for iPod After Consumers Complain Underground movie takes its toll.

FCC Issues First Do-Not-Call Citation California mortgage company cited for eight calls.

Feds Charge "Girls Gone Wild" Producers with Deceptive Practices Charged consumers' credit cards without permission, prosecutors allege.

Court Closes the Book on Charity Scam "Healing Hands" raised money for books supposedly given to sick children in hospitals.

Suzuki Recalling SUVs Grand Vitara, XL-7 accelerator cable will be fixed.

Apple Hardware Glitch Mars Birthday Repeated systemboard failures vex the faithful.

Envelope-Stuffing Schemes Targeted Feds, states charge work-at-home promoters.

Ford Escape Recall Ford will fix seat belt problem.

AT&T Wireless Leads In Number Portability Problems At&T also reported to be losing the most customers.

Feds Want Media to Lighten Up on Weight-Loss Ads Too many false claims on the air and in print. FTC wants publishers to crack down.

Internet Mortgage Scam Halted 30 Minute Mortgage sold consumers' private financial data without permission.

GMAC Faces $125 Million Penalty in California Repo Case Company violated California law regarding legal notice to consumers, judge rules.

Report Alleges Massive Fraud in Auto Sales Public Citizen calls for law enforcement crack-down on crooked dealers.

Fewer Choices in Medicare Bill Than Some May Have Expected Medigap insurance outlawed under new benefit.

Top Medicare Official Jumps Ship Washington insiders shocked at rapid exit of Medicare bill architects to private "consulting" posts.

Lenders Ratchet Down Payments to Credit Counselors Rebate program gives way to charitable contributions based on agency's "benefit to consumers."

Wal-Mart Will Decline Some MasterCards Consumers will have to key in PIN to use MasterCard debit cards.

FAO Bankrupt Again Toy retailer succumbs to price pressure from Wal-Mart, Target and other discounters.

Volvo Recall to Fix Fuel Leak Problem Fuel could leak into engine.

Automakers Vow To Improve Safety 15 manufacturers adopt new safety standards. Not enough, critics charged.

California Study Finds Rampant Fraud in Auto Body Shops Fender benders dispute state's findings.

Consumers Warned About Spanish Lottery Scam Latest foreign lottery scam can mean fat losses.

Season's Warnings: Gift Safety Guide Dangerous toys can ruin holiday fun.

The New Medicare: What It Means for Consumers and Caregivers It's no longer one-size-fits-all.

AARP Looks Towards Boomers in Supporting Medicare Rx Bill Organization faces generation gap, tilts towards boomers.

Illness Strikes Carnival's Legend Cruise Ship Dozens of passengers sickened by stomach virus, fourth such episode on Carnival ships in recent months.

Flaw in Microsoft Explorer Endangers Data Consumers should disable active scripting or use a different browser.

GM Buys Back Noisy Trucks, SUVs "Hundreds" of Sierras, Silverados, Yukons, etc., repurchased to settle lemon law cases.

AT&T Hikes Fees by $40 Million MCI, Sprint, WorldXChange right behind.

Cell Phone Numbers Unshackled Court refuses to block new rules allowing transfer of home phone numbers to cell phones.

FTC, Texas & Minnesota Sue AmeriDebt Debt counseling company faces millions in penalties.

Court Closes Peoples Credit First, Consumer Preferred Advance fee credit scheme preyed on credit-hungry consumers, FTC charges.

Ford Offers New Fuel Module for Focus Models Recall-plagued Focus choking on U.S. fuel, Ford says.

"Radiation Blockers" Blocked From Misleading Consumers Technozone claimed to block "harmful radiation" from cell phones, video screens.

Safety Panel Drops BB Gun Recall Safety begins behind the trigger, commission decides.

Canadian Versions of Asthma Medication Recalled GlaxoSmithKliine warns of problems with some Canadian versions of Ventolin, Flovent and Serevent.

PayPal Scam Spreading Fast E-mailed worm tricks consumers into giving out credit card information.

Nokia Pursues Battery Counterfeiters "Sophisticated enemy" selling millions of dangerous knock-offs in Europe.

StarBand Exits Bankruptcy Satellite-based ISP hopes to rebuild following 18 months in bankruptcy.

Fairbanks Capital To Refund $40 Million To Consumers Company settles federal charges it illegally gouged subprime mortgage customers.

Number's Up for Local Phone Companies Consumers will be able to move their home phone number to a cell phone beginning Nov. 24, the Federal Communications Commission ruled.

Any Good Diet Will Do, Researchers Say Long-term study finds four leading diets all produced significant health benefits, but not much weight loss.

FTC Charges BodyFlex with False Advertising Feds debunk claims of "four to 14 inch" weight loss in "just a few days."

Chrysler recalls 438,000 Jeep Libertys Suspension problem can result in loss of control.

FTC Charges BodyFlex with False Advertising System doesn't lead to rapid weight loss and doesn't take inches off the waist in days, feds charge.

IDT Calling Card Charges Probed New Jersey investigating whether card fees are adequately disclosed to consumers.

Ford Recalls 2001-2003 Windstar Vans Rear seat can come loose in a crash.

Medicare Rx Bill Stalled as Time Runs Out Congress eyes Nov. 21 adjournment.

Study: Health System Fails Seniors Half the Time Record is even worse for common age-related disorders.

Long Nurses' Hours Endanger Patients National Academy of Sciences cautions nursing homes, hospitals.

Court Orders Rx Depot to Close Nationwide chain imports drugs from Canada.

Louisiana Eye Surgeon Fined $1 Million Violated federal rules regarding clinical studies of LASIK device.

Priceline Faces Class Actions Low-cost tickets sent travelers to towns many miles from their destination, suit charges.

OSI Financial Settles Charges Illinois loan broker misrepresented loan terms, FTC charges.

Feds Hammer Pop-up Spam Scam Scam artists used Windows Messaging software to create annoying pop-ups.

Web Crammers Accused of Fraud Miami operation billed businesses and non-profits for Internet services they didn't want and didn't use.

AT&T Faces $780,000 Do-Not-Call Fine FCC says it got 360 complaints fron consumers who had asked not to be called.

Feds Investigate GM Fuel Leaks Six fires reported in Oldsmobile and Cadillac models.

Chrysler In No Hurry to Fix Durango Ball Joint Problem For more than three years, company has been "investigating" early ball joint failures.

Nissan Recalls 2.5 Million Units Worldwide Faulty engine sensor at fault.

Ignition Flaw Leads to Honda Recall Vehicle can roll after key is removed.

Wildfires Spark Charity Scams Be alert for scams that tug at the heartstrings.

Ohio Latest to Sue AOL State says AOL failed to honor customer requests to cancel.

Cross-Border Lottery Scams Shut Down by Court Order Five Canadian companies accused of defrauding elderly Americans.

Stewart Finance Barred from "Packing" Consumer Loans Court imposes injunction pending trial.

Do-Not-Call Complaints Hit 37,000 53 million consumers have signed up so far.

How-to-Spam Spammers Fined $2 Million California terminates Los Angeles spammers.

Body Solutions Evening Weight Loss Formula Promoters Settle Federal Charges Company used local radio to hawk its wares.

AmeriDebt Retrenches Under Barrage of Legal Actions and Bad Publicity Lawsuits by two states accuse debt counseling firm of misdeeds.

Fairbanks Trying to Settle Abusive Loan Practices Charges Company allegedly victimized, abused homeowners.

Seniors Must Beware of Elder Abuse Consumer protection forum outlines risks.

Older Americans Just Average in Consumer Awareness AARP study finds 45+ consumers need to brush up on the basics.

2 Million AOL Subscribers Quit in Last Year Top executives subpoenaed by SEC investigators.

Consumer Group Sues Nextel, Cingular Los Angeles suits seek class action status.

Qwest Pays Big Refunds in Arizona Company settles suit in hopes of winning approval to sell long-distance in state.

Medicare Deadline Passes Without Action Congress still optimistic it will pay Medicare "reform."

Illinois Governor Wants Canadian Drugs Cash-challenged states pressing for imports of cheaper Canadian drugs.

CPSC Votes To Regulate Baby Bath Seats 104 infant drownings documented, 80 of them while agency studied the issue.

It's Cell Phone Deal Days As Number Portability Nears Nov. 24 is the day when you can take it with you.

Wal-Mart Won't Sell Nasal Flu Vaccine Differing state regulations made implementation difficult, company says.

Consumers Wage War on Telemarketers More than 15,000 complaints filed against callers.

FDA Approves Alzheimer's Drug First drug approved to treat moderate to severe disease levels.

Halloween Warning: Decorative Contacts Can Be Dangerous FDA bans some importation of colored lenses.

Credit Counseling Scams On the Rise Consumers need to check organization's credentials carefully.

IBM Knew Drives Were Defective, Documents Indicate Class actions pending in Texas, California.

Taxes, Fees & Regs Add 18% to Cell Phone Bills Consumers will soon be paying $10 per month in fees and taxes.

AOL Will Offer $9.95 Dial-Up Service Hopes to slow customer defections.

Illinois Charges Bernard Haldane Co. With Deceiving Job-Seekers Clients paid for access to "secret job market" that doesn't exist, state charges.

KB Toys Settles Class-Action Lawsuit $3 million settlement will be paid through at-register discounts.

Retirees Often Lose Dental Insurance Coverage Lack of dental insurance a growing problem for seniors.

Supreme Court Upholds AT&T Customers' Right to Day in Court Denies company's appeal of Appeals Court ruling on arbitration clause.

Court Orders Cable Firms to Share Broadband Don't hold your breath. Lengthy appeals likely.

Texas Scammers Must Refund $815,000 AllPreApproved.com stretched the truth, FTC charges.

FTC Tightens Noose on Ab Force Belt Promoters Device doesn't firm and tighten abs or contribute to weight loss, agency charges.

Medical "Quality Gaps" Cause 57,000+ Deaths Annually Patients die when proven methods are ignored.

Life Expectancy Increases But Diabetes Epidemic Worsens Americans living longer than ever but chronic diseases on the rise.

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

Yahoo To Clean Up Telemarketing Policies Agrees to pay $75,000 in settlement with New York Attorney General.

Girls Still Going Wild Best Buy, other major retailers, selling DVDs that prosecutors say include underage girls.

Class Action Accuses AOL of Double-Billing Scheme Hundreds of thousands of consumers duped into paying two monthly fees for one service, suit charges.

AOL, Compuserve Settle Federal Charges of Unfair Practices AOL agrees to stop billing customers who cancel their service.

AOL Employees Complain of Cut-Throat Corporate Culture Lack of diversity, locker-room atmosphere faulted.

Network Solutions Settles FTC Charges Agrees not to stop bilking customers into transferring their Internet registration.

HHS Will Allow "Feeding Assistants" in Nursing Homes Consumer groups say untrained workers will endanger patients.

Rx Drugs a Potential Terror Target Difficult decisions needed to reduce vulnerability, study finds.

Companies Fined $1.5 Million for Safety Violations Murray, Mongoose, Roadmaster, Blue Coral agree to settle federal charges.

Sears to Sell National Tire & Battery TBC Corp. will take over NTB's 226 stores.

Eight Insurers Hardest Hit by Isabel A few big companies face up to $1 billion in claims.

Many Cell Phones Down for the Count During Isabel Cell towers failed quickly when electrical grid went down.

FTC Settles with Cross Border Con Artists Canadians bilked U.S. seniors with lottery and bond scams.

Public Citizen Warns Against New Statin Drug Crestor Drug has significant potential to cause kidney damage and failure as well as muscle destruction, group charges.

Feds Upgrade Honda Ignition Probe Key can sometimes be removed when vehicle is not in park.

Feds to Write New Tire Pressure Rule Court overturns first attempt, calls for tougher standards to give drivers early warning of insufficient tire pressure.

H-P Wins Inkjet Suit North Carolina jury finds company did not deceive consumers with "economy" inkjet cartridges.

Feds Charge DataTech with Fraudulent Business Directory Sales Canadian company misled U.S. businesses, complaint charges.

Deadline Nears for Household Finance Claims Borrowers eligible to share in $484 million settlement must file by Oct. 14.

AmeriDebt Deceives Consumers, Missouri Charges "Nonprofit credit counselor" actually a growth-oriented business, lawsuit alleges.

Wal-Mart.com Enters Contact Lens Business Congress considering legislation to encourage greater competition.

FDA Seeks Injunction Against Rx Depot Charges firm illegally importing dangerous drugs into U.S.

FDA Warns Importers of Accutane Internet importers take shortcuts with established safety procedures, agency charges.

Life & Health Insurers Profits Plunge 38% Industry profitability in first three months of 2003 reached its lowest level in 10 years.

9/11 Losses Reach $9.3 Billion Effects felt by consumers and businesses in higher insurance premiums, reduced dividends.

Mazda Offers to Buy Back RX-8 Company misstated horsepower of the 2004-model rotary-engine sports model.

Stewart Finance Charged with Illegal Lending Practices Subprime lender packs additional products onto loans, deceives customers, FTC charges.

27 Million Identity Theft Victims in Last 5 Years Stolen credit cards, checks and mail most common cause.

"Debt Counselor" Settles Federal Charges; Forfeits Home and Bank Accounts Jubilee Financial Services claimed to help consumers get out of debt.

Raw Health May Be A Raw Deal Feds charge Raw Health continues making unproven health claims for its products.

Pennsylvania Recovers Another $9 Million from Summit Life Case Money will be used to pay consumers' policy claims.

Conseco Sells GM Building, May Emerge from Bankruptcy by Mid-September Meanwhile, Conseco loan portfolio reverts to Greentree.

Health Insurance Scams Hit Thousands Poor economy drives many to unlicensed insurance plans.

GAO Finds Malpractice Lawsuits Don't Limit Access to Care Agency disputes doctors' claims they are being driven out of business by malpractice awards.

Auto Premiums Up, Satisfaction Levels Off J.D. Power study finds consumers tolerating higher premiums.

Side Airbags Saving Lives, Study Finds Insurance tests find airbags with head protection cut deaths by almost half.

Illinois Sues Car Dealers Two Chicago-area dealers allegedly took consumers for a ride.

Subaru Recalls Some 2004 Models Possible fuel leak in some Outack and Legacy vehicles.

Enough Flu Vaccine This Year Immunizations should begin in October, CDC reports.

Per Capita U.S. Health Care Costs Triple Canada's Harvard study suggests single-payer system more efficient.

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.

Sears Must Refund NY Battery Overcharges Charged customers $7 recycling fee instead of the $5 allowed by state law.

Copa Hair System Marketers To Pay $300,000 Customers often got more -- and less -- than they bargained for.

NYC Cracks Down on Car Ads 19 dealerships cited for violations.

Mercury Communications (gointernet.net) Charged with Contempt FTC charges company is violating previous court orders.

Companies Selling Ads in "Minority Publications" Settle FTC Charges Defendants allegedly billed for ads victims had not placed.

FTC Drives International License Marketers out of Business Phony "international driving permits" cost up to $350.

NHTSA Creates New School Bus Category To Discourage Van Use Modified school buses wouldn't be required to have traffic control lights and stop arms.

Wal-Mart Tries to Buff Its Image Sex discrimination suit, community resistance to new stores causing sleepless nights in Bentonville.

Lights Out! What worked, what didn't. What you can do about it.

Doctors Group Calls for Single-Payer National Health Insurance System Critics say Canadian-style plan introduces long waits, holds back technology.

Credit "Repair" Promoters Face $1 Million Penalty Claims of a "one-of-a-kind computer disk" untrue.

Student Group Wants to Slice Up Vector In-home knife sales company promises big earnings that often aren't realized.

National Warranty Insurance Company Insolvent "Smart Choice" extended warranties worthless.

Abercrombie to Pay $2.2 Million in "Uniform" Suit California Labor Dept. charged Abercrombie with requiring employees to wear its clothes.

Court Blocks Cell Phone "Ray Blockers" Safety Cell, Rhino patches ineffective at blocking cell phone radiation, FTC charges.

Court Halts Trek Alliance Pyramid Scheme Feds charged Trek lured job seekers into losing sales scheme.

Envelope-Stuffing Promoters Seal Plea Deal America’s Shopping Network Inc. and Consumer Services, Inc. barred from future sales.

California Proposes Bill of Rights for Telecom Consumers Cell customers would have 45 days to cancel if service proved inadequate.

Suit Filed in Illinois Van Rollover Two killed, 16 injured when van overturns while taking inmates' families to visit downstate prisons.

Equifax to Pay $250,000 to Settle Charges It Blocked and Delayed Consumer Calls Delays violated terms of an earlier consent decree.

Bio Lab Settles Federal Charges "Fat Blocker" and "Cellu-Fight" ineffective, government charged.

Laetrile Promoter Convicted of Contempt Company continued selling supposed cancer cure after judge ordered it to stop.

Automakers Turn to Banking Ditech.com, GMAC propping up GM, Ford's profits come mostly from Ford Credit.

"Fast Abs" Promoters to Pay $5 Million Fast Abs & Abtronic are "ABsurd," feds charge.

Feds Probe Durango Steering Problems Upper ball joint in the front suspension could fail, NHTSA says.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car To Refund Millions Company failed to provide customers with liability insurance and deceptively sold supplemental policies, New York charged.

Mercedes-Benz Replacing 2,000 E-Class Cars Problems with navigation system in early models blamed.

Teen-Aged Identity Thief Nabbed Youthful bandit hijacked AOL logo to pry information from victims.

Congressman Wants Crack Down on Rogue Movers Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.) sponsoring bill that would let consumers sue movers.

16 South Florida Movers Indicted FBI undercover operation snares 16 companies, 74 individuals on charges including extortion, wire fraud and mail fraud.

Virgin to Launch US Airline Chairman Richard Branson thinks there's room for a third major discount airline.

Evenflo Settles Crib Death Suit for $2.6 Million "Happy Camper" and other portable cribs have killed at least 15 children in the U.S.

Judge Bars Alyon From Collecting For Videotext Services Internet scheme tricked consumers into dialing expensive number.

Court Bars Business Registry Scam "American Business Registry" tricked businesses into paying for listing they had not ordered.

Sears Sells Its Credit-Card Business Citigroup will take over 25 million Sears Card and Sears MasterCard accounts.

Medicare Conferees Begin Negotiations Committee faces difficult task, deep divisions evident.

Fraudulent Grant-Matchers Settle Federal Charges Companies falsely promised foundation grants to consumers.

PayPal - The New Blackbeard? States probe PayPal insurance scheme as consumers fume and SEC looks at money-market management practices.

Agreement on Medicare Drug Benefit Proves Elusive Bush ponders third rail principle.

Daewoo Returns - Incognito GM-owned Daewoo will sell cars with Suzuki badge in U.S.

Beverly Hills Spa Diet Promoter Fined Again Company violated previous court orders in ads for weight-loss and air freshener products.

Bloussant Breast Enhancement Promoters Must Pay $3 Million FTC charges claims for breast enhancement, increased sexual potency and snore cure unsupported.

Trans Fat Content Will Be Added to Food Labels Trans fatty acids a major contributor to heart disease, HHS says.

Domestic Cars Outpace Euros in Reliability Study GM, Ford up, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Audi down.

FTC Charges Internet Mall Is a Pyramid Scam Earnings promises were overstated, suit charges.

Feds Sue Electronic Payment Processor Company worked with fraudulent telemarketers, Federal Trade Commission charges.

Mini-ATM Promoter Settles Federal Suit Merchant Payment Solutions promised big bucks but most takers suffered losses.

Feds Sue Australian Lottery Scam Operator Canadian scam artists targeted elderly Americans.

Verizon Buys Into Number Portability Largest wireless carrier says it will stop fighting FCC rule that lets customers take their number with them when changing providers.

Dell Breaks Out of Prison Deal Environmental group had criticized Dell for using cheap prison labor to break up old machines.

FDA Warns Against Using STAMINA Rx Over-the-counter drug contains potentially dangerous ingredients, agency says.

Auto Leasing Companies Flee New York State law lets accident victims sue leasing companies.

Prison Term for Promoter of Phony Spinal Injury "Cure" Idaho clinic promised cure for paralyzed patients.

Wal-Mart Bans Discrimination Against Gays Giant retailer is one of the last Fortune 500 companies to formally ban anti-gay actions.

Court Seizes Internet Treasure Chest Get-rich-quick scheme worked only for its promoter, feds charge.

Envelope Stuffers Snuffed Work-at-home scheme shut down, one principal faces jail term.

Ephedra Promoters Charged Feds charge promoters with making false advertising claims.

Congress Must Decipher Rival Medicare Rx Bills White House wants agreement quickly but GOP leaders urge caution.

AstraZeneca Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud Drug company defrauded Medicare and Medicaid to tune of $40 million.

National Do Not Call Registry Opens Federal program seeks to limit telemarketing calls.

UrbanQ Settles "Q-Bate and Switch" Charges Company failed to pay rebates, FTC charges.

General Electric, Merrill Lynch, Clarica Insurance Downgraded Weiss Ratings downgrades 54 companies, upgrades 21.

U.S. Carmakers Lead in Consumer Loyalty Domestic brands lead in 12 of 14 categories.

Music Police on the Prowl Record industry sets out to squash fans who don't pay up.

Netflix Wins Patent on DVD Rental Process Gives smaller firm a leg up on Wal-Mart, Blockbuster.

Feds Issue New Tire Safety Standards Light truck tires must meet tougher speed and endurance standards.

Saturn Recalls 254,000 L-Series Cars Exhaust system problem could cause fires.

Magazine Solicitors Fined $1 Million Consumers wound up paying much more than expected and were unable to cancel.

Record Distribution "Opportunity" Shut Down Promoters made unreasonable promises, feds charge.

Kennedy Angers Allies, Supports GOP Drug Bill Congress set to pass historic legislation this week. Much tinkering lies ahead.

Congressman Wants to Shield Food Industry from Lawsuits Consumer advocates called Rep. Ric Keller's bill "frivolous."

Nasal Mist Flu Vaccine Approved Should free up supply of traditional vaccine for older Americans and those with chronic conditions.

Dallas Advance Fee Loan Scam Shuttered "Credit Card Services" and "Destyne Enterprises" charged much, delivered little.

No Silver Lining for Seasilver Feds seize inventory, charge company with making unsubstantiated health claims.

Lipitor Recall Expanded Counterfeit versions of the popular drug being sought.

Most Small SUVs Flunk Side-Impact Test Subaru Forester only model to earn a good rating in both side and front crash tests.

Wheels Cracking on GM Trucks & SUVs NHTSA opens preliminary investigation.

Florida Set to OK Credit-Insurance Link Gov. Bush set to sign industry-sponsored bills.

Guess Settles FTC Security Charges Company didn't properly secure credit card data, feds charge.

Ephedra Pushers Feeling the Heat "Fat-burning" drugs facing a new wave of consumer lawsuits and legislative action in wake of pitcher Steve Bechler's death.

Delta Strands Returning Soldiers After nine-hour flight, returning soldiers stranded in Seattle.

New Rules Will Speed Access to Generic Drugs Consumers should save billions per year.

Botched Mortgage Settlements On the Rise Bush Administration changes could shave $1,000 from average closing.

Coral Calcium Promoters Face Federal Charges Benefits of coral calcium unproven, feds charge.

Heartbar Agrees to Muzzle Health Claims Company claimed its food bars could prevent heart disease.

Portable Phones, Portable Numbers Court Upholds Cell Phone Number Portability

AOL Loses Million Subscribers Dial-up customers jumping ship, broadband customers not taking AOL's bait.

Dog Food May Carry "Mad Cow Disease" Infected Canadian cow was used to make dry dog food for export to U.S..

Danger of Prescription Errors for Seniors Increasing, Study Finds Improper doses, interaction with other drugs most frequent problems.

Damage Caps Don't Prevent Malpractice Premium Increases, Study Finds States without damage caps show slower premium increases than states with caps.

Senate May Overturn FCC Media Ownership Rule Neither party thrilled at prospect of more media concentration.

American Products Company Fined Replacement bulbs & lenses don't meet federal highway safety standards.

Q-Ray Claims False, Feds Charge No evidence "ionized" bracelet relieves pain, Federal Trade Commission charges.

Toronto Credit Card Scam Shut Down Advance-fee scam promised credit cards but didn't deliver.

Bogus Credit File E-mail Debunked Rite of Spring: same bogus e-mail appears each year.

ConsumerAffairs.com Expanding Its Advocacy New not-for-profit advocacy organization will vigorously press for consumers' rights.

Leasecomm Settles Fraud Charges, Cancels $24 Million in Judgments Boston company preyed on would-be entrepreneurs.

BestBank Executives Indicted Bank's collapse stuck FDIC with $200 million bill.

Gero Vita, Theraceuticals Use Deceptive Advertising, FTC Charges Agency goes to federal court to seek permanent ban.

AT&T Helps Itself to $1.08 Per Month Adds a "regulatory assessment fee" to pay for its lobbyists and expert witnesses.

Firestone Agrees to Settle Tire Class Action Case involves all non-injury claims linked to Wilderness AT, ATX tires.

"Girls Gone Wild" Producer Gets His Plane Back But Joe Francis still face criminal charges in Florida.

Staples Fined $850,000 for Lying to Its Web Customers About Delivery "Real-time" inventory and "one-day delivery" claims false, FTC charges.

Sony Playstation 2 Defective, Class Action Charges Units stop playing DVDs within a few months of purchase, consumers complain.

Bad-Check Chasers Charged with Fraudently Collecting Millions New Jersey firms threatened consumers to collect debts they did not owe.

Continental Tire, Ford Named in Suit by Survivors of Six Killed in Expedition Rollover Tires involved in fatal crash were later recalled by General.

Web Posses Rope Mavericks Feds and state agencies file 45 criminal charges as part of Web fraud crackdown.

Web Redial Scam Busted A scam operation that allegedly forced victims' computers to call an over-priced phone number was among those shut down.

Bridgestone Steeltex Tires Recalled Defect can cause tread separation in the heavy-duty tired used in pickups, SUVs and motor homes.

Yale Hospital Will Stop Foreclosures Attorney General charges hospital is misusing its $37 million "free bed fund."

65 Died After Feds Dropped GM Pickup Probe LA Times wins release of sealed documents showing GM paid $495 million in damages.

Feds Warn Web Sites Selling Supposed SARS Remedies None of the advertised products have been shown to prevent, treat or cure SARS.

Feds Crack Down on Pre-Registration Scams for National "Do Not Call" List FTC seeks temporary restraining order against California Web sites.

Court Order Snags Cell Phone "Radiation Protection Patches" Patches not shown to be effective, feds charge.

Visa, MasterCard To Pay $3 Billion in Debit Card Suit Retailers save billions, banks lose billions. Consumers? Hard to say.

Direct One Settles With Oregon Company accused of "upselling."

Feds & States Pursue Internet Auction Fraud 57 complaints filed so far.

Virginia Draws Bead on Spammers Spammers face prison terms, asset seizure under tough new bill written to please AOL.

Study Finds 66% of Spam Fraudulent FTC wades through thousands of emails to reach its conclusion.

Wal-Mart Fined $750,000 for Exercise Equipment Safety Defects Despite customer injuries in stores, Wal-Mart did not report problems with gliders.

Nissan Will Replace Air Bags In 1994-95 Altimas Bags deployed with too much force, causing head and eye injuries.

New Safeguards for Living Organ Donors NIH will study safety of organ donation by living donors.

Hearing Will Examine Rising ATV Death Rate Consumer Product Safety Commission "concerned" about 104% increase in injuries.

Pets Rescued Faster Than Elderly After 9/11 Better disaster planning needed, study concludes.

AT&T Will Run Do-Not-Call List Even though there were more consumer complaints about AT&t's telemarketing practices, company's bid was the "strongest," officials say.

First USA Pays $1.3 Million to Settle Deceptive Practices Case Bank gave customer lists to telemarketers, then shared in the proceeds, suit charges.

72 Health Insurers Upgraded, 11 Downgraded

ShopNBC Fined $215,000 For Quackery Disobeyed earlier FTC order to stop making unsubstantiated health claims.

WorldCom Morphs Into MCI WorldCom hopes to exit bankruptcy this summer. Changes name (back) to MCI.

"Married But Lonely" Spammer Nabbed FTC accuses St. Louis man of sending disguised pornography.

AOL Sues Spammers, Is Sued by Investors The company claims spammers have flooded its network with more than a billion pieces of spam.

NHTSA Watching Windstar Wheels Possibly faulty studs can make wheels fall off.

Medicare Restructuring Dead For Another Year Both parties racing to enact prescription drug benefit instead.

Medicare Caps Sneak Up On Seniors New caps on payments for physical, speech and occupational therapies.

Norwegian Lines Buys The United States Once the fastest passenger ship on the sea, she'll sail again under the American flag.

Snore Formula Settles Federal Charges Agrees to stop making claims it can't back up.

Beware of "Operation Freedom" Coins Michigan Attorney General warns Web site to clean up its advertising or face lawsuit.

GM Will Offer Overnight Test Drives Desperate to jumpstart sales, GM will let prospective buyers take cars home overnight, drive them up to 100 miles.

Montana Slaps Farmers Insurance for Credit Scoring Premiums higher for consumers with department store credit cards than for those with oil company cards, state charges.

Ford Will Appeal $18 Million Rollover Verdict Texan was killed when his pickup truck roof collapsed in a rollover.

Visa, MasterCard Ordered to Refund Currency Conversion Fees Companies "hid" conversion fees, judge rules. Refund could exceed $800 million.

Minnesota Fines Qwest $26 Million The state may also contest the company's application to provide long-distance service.

HHS Fines California Seminar Company U.S. Seminar Co. allegedly represented its Medicare seminars were "required."

Default Judgment Against Pioneer First Company's "platinum" card cost a lot but bought little.

House Panel Slams FDA Crackdown on Drug Imports "You're going to be here a lot," Panel chair warns FDA officials.

Work-At-Home Scammers Silenced Florida couple ran a variety of scams preying on the jobless.

Boston Scientific Fined $7 Million Acted in "bad faith" to block latest technology for treating heart disease.

Vending Machine Franchisor Settles Federal Charges Univend failed to make proper disclosures, FTC alleges.

Sears Extends Pay & Benefits for Reservists Full-time employees protected for up to two years.

WebNet Fined $1.2 Million for Slamming Company switched customers' long-distance service without permission, FCC charges.

Missouri Fines Axces for Slamming Company snared consumers with supposed sports-car raffle.

LASIK Ads Misleading, FTC Charges Agency charges two large LASIK providers can't substantiate their claims.

FTC Sets Schedule for National "Do Not Call" Registry Registration by consumers begins in July.

Seniors in Same Neighborhoods Pay Widely Different Prices for Identical Drugs, NYC Study Finds "Shop around," consumer commissioner Dykstra advises.

Investment Training Material Marketer Settles Charges Ken Roberts Institute agrees to more fully disclose risks.

Kansas Court Upholds Spam Law Anti-spam crusader wins suit against online marketer.

A Consumer Economy in Wartime Consumer pullback imperils travel, auto industries.

Georgia Fines UnumProvident $1 Million A.M. Best lowers Unum's debt rating.

FDA Begins Drug-Import Crackdown Orders Arkansas pharmacy to stop importing Canadian drugs.

Mortgage Scam Spammers Silenced "30 Minute Mortgages" tricked consumers into revealing personal financial data, feds charge.

Medical Billing Scam Settles Charges Med Data's operators banned from future work-at-home promotions.

Bush Would Limit Medicare Appeals President seeks to limit role of judges in appeals by frail elderly patients.

Cell Phone Radiation Suit Dismissed Judge says state courts have no authority in cell phone issues.

Rexall to Pay up to $12 Million for Cellulite Claims Claims for "Cellasene" unfounded, feds charge.

President Bush Signs Do-Not-Call Bill Telemarketers can be fined $11,000 for violations.

Feds Tighten Definition of "Recall" All recalls must henceforth be called, well, recalls.

Ford Police Car Flunks Ford's Own Test, Dallas DA Charges Ford making "civilian" models that are safer than police cruisers.

Greyhound Parent Emerging from Bankruptcy Judge approves Laidlaw Inc.'s new business plan.

Associates Insurance, 72 Others Downgraded in Latest Ratings Only two property, casualty companies upgraded.

Greenspan Warns of "Painful Adjustments" When Boomers Retire Lower benefits, later retirement top the list.

71 Life and Health Insurers Downgraded; 22 Upgraded in Recent Review Stock market losses deplete assets.

Maryland Fines CareFirst $400,000 Company blames problems on "rapid growth."

Hershey, Mrs. Fields Fined for Violating Children's Online Privacy Web sites collected personal information without parental consent.

Ford Settles Van Rollover Suit Judge denounced company's alleged withholding of safety data "almost criminal."

"Zoetron" Cancer Scam Shut Down Cross-border scheme lures Americans to Mexico for bogus cancer treatment.

FCC Upholds Local Competition Rules Bells given free reign in broadband.

Court Order Closes MedPlan Canadian scheme targets Americans with phony health discount, credit protection, FTC charges.

Carmakers Sued for Blocking Canadian-U.S. Imports Companies "broke the law" to preserve profits, suit charges.

Ford Recalls Escort, Tracer Models Airbag monitor problem has caused several injuries.

Italians Link Glaxo to Illegal Doctor Gifts Thousands of doctors got free computers, wine and free trips, police charge.

Telemarketing Scammers Shut Down Arizona boiler-room bilked consumers through a variety of ruses, FTC charges.

Sturm und Drang for VW, Chrysler Ignition coil recall and threatened minority boycott bring discord to Germans' U.S. efforts.

Debt Relief for Active Duty Military Service personnel and their families should be sure they take advantage of legal protections afforded to active duty military.

AT&T Can't Require Arbitration, Court Rules 7 million California customers freed from "oppressive" regulations.

U.S. & Canadian Groups Turn Up Heat on Glaxo Drug company's ban on Canadian imports draws fire.

FTC Chair Asks Media to Reject Deceptive Weight Loss Ads "Do the right thing," Timothy Muris urges cable television executive.

Report Documents Dangers of Treated Wood Preservative used in playground sets contains arsenic, a known carcinogen.

VW, Audi Will Finally Replace Defective Ignition Coils Companies squirmed around for more than a year, letting customers twist in the wind.

ILD Fined $675,000 For Deceptive Phone Charges Wrongfully dialed consumers who called toll-free numbers.

"Coral Calcium" Claims Debunked Substance has "no unique health properties," medical authorities say.

Medical Billing Scam Settles Charges Physician Healthcare Development fined $65,000.

Air Cleaner Manufacturer Settles Federal Charges Lentek agrees to stop making unsubstantiated claims for its air freshener, mosquito- and pest- control products.

Pelle Fined for Improper Labels Dry-cleaning damaged fabric, Federal Trade Commission alleged.

$1.4 Million Fine for Advance Fee Marketers

Sprint Raises Long-Distance & Residential Rates AT&T also circling as MCI WorldCom's canteen runs dry.

Student Survey Companies Settle Federal Charges Survey data supposedly for educational use was sold to commercial marketers.

"Super Zapper" Gets Zapped A magic dietary supplement that cures cancer? Not likely.

Feds Challenge Slim Down Solution Feds say weight-loss claims are false.

California Doctor Wins $31 Million in Suit Against UnumProvident At least 2,500 other suits pending against nation's largest disability insurer.

Class Action Filed Against Nextel Imposed new fees without prior notice, suit charges.

Kaiser Will Publish Treatment Guidelines Will help patients assess their treatment plan.

Kaiser Publishes Guide to Handling Health Plan Disputes Intended to help consumers in disputes with health plans and their employers.

Online Service Helps Seniors Find Drug Discounts Non-profit agency lists 240 prescription discount programs.

Breast Cream Developer Settles Federal Charges Promoter agrees to stop making undocumented claims.

Telemarketers Sold Bogus Advance-Fee Credit Cards, FTC Charges Low-income victims lost hundreds of dollars each.

"International Driving Permits" A Scam, Feds Charge Spammers selling useless "permits" for hundreds each.

GlaxoSmithKline Threatens to Boycott Canada Outraged seniors threaten to boycott Glaxo.

Safety Official Assails SUVs Rollover fatality rate three times higher than passenger vehicles, NHTSA head observes.

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

ConsumerProtectionAgency.us Is a Business, Not an Agency, BBB Warns Web site charges consumers to file complaints.

Hertz, Avis Charging for Frequent Flier Miles As travel slump drags on, so do cost-cutting measures.

Tax Evasion Promoter Ordered to Recant Claim that Americans not required to pay income tax is "nonsense," judge holds.

Unscrupulous Lenders Stalking Elderly & Low-Income Homeowners Predatory lenders offering loans too good to be true.

Fraudulent Greeting Card Franchise Settles Federal Charges Feds say franchise "opportunity" was anything but.

Microsoft Settles California Antitrust Suit 13 million consumers eligible for vouchers redeemable for hardware and software.

Congress Cool to Do Not Call List What's the rush? House committee asks.

Electric Mobility Fined $225,00 by New Jersey Company agrees to clean up sales practices.

Lawsuit Names Sprint PCS, Nextel Missouri attorney general says the companies' bills are misleading.

"Daezuki" Coming Soon? GM plans to begin importing Daewoos under a different brand this year.

Stocks Tank, Prices Rise The past is prologue. Consumers face another year of rising prices, new fees and declining service.

Judge Freezes Assets of Evening Weight Loss Formula Promoters Lose weight while you sleep? The judge doesn't think so.

Quicken Loans Settles Federal Charges Consumers weren't told of their rights to contest adverse credit reports.

Isis Breast Enhancement Claims Deflated Isis promoters must pay up to $22 million in consumer redress.

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