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Consumer News & Alerts

December 10, 2007

By Martin H. Bosworth
ConsumerAffairs.com

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TOP 10 SCAMS OF 2007
Another year, another 30 million scams. Most are old, a few are new but they all have one thing in common -- consumers lose their money, time and maybe more. As in years past, Mark Huffman ventured bravely into the Scam Alerts archives to hunt down the scams that made their mark in the previous 12 months.

No one would ever say these are all the scams out there but they're good examples of the pitfalls that await the unwary. Keep in mind there are lots of rotten, no-good products and services on the market that can't be called scams. A scam is by definition a purposeful deception. Before the year is out, we'll have our annual "12 Duds of Christmas" report wrapping up the worst products and services of 2007. For now, it's worth scanning the scams just to be sure your radar is up to date. Read more ...

LOBBYISTS PROTECT DEADLY RIDES
A roller coaster or ferris wheel is designed to give riders a safe adrenaline rush and a fake thrill of danger, but defective rides cause thousands of injuries and many deaths for unsuspecting riders every year. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is tasked to investigate and oversee the safety of carnival rides across the U.S. while the states supposedly regulate amusement parks, but the reality often falls short of the goal. Joseph Enoch takes a closer look at how industry lobbyists have protected dangerous rides from investigation, and how riders are at risk as a result.

More product safety news...

• Lead, Arsenic Found in Popular Toys Hannah Montana card pack, Circo baby shoes had high lead levels

• Wal-Mart Shoppers Steer Clear of Toys Consumers looking for 'non-chewable' gifts, survey finds.

• Pediatricians Alarmed About 'Wheeled' Shoes Kids can roll right into the emergency room.

• Toy Dangers Not Confined To Lead Even safe toys can be dangerous if broken or mishandled.

• Senators Press White House For More FDA Funding More inspections needed as imports grow.

This week's recalls...

• Ford Recalls 1.2 Million Diesel Trucks, SUVs, Vans
• Foster Grant & Other Children's Sunglasses
• Starbucks Coffee Mugs
• Home Depot Holiday Figurines
• 'Whatever' Hooded Sweatshirts
• 'The First Years' Feeding Seats
• 'The First Years' Potty Seats
• 'Personal Identity' Sweaters Sold by Sears
• TKS Children's Pants Recalled by Sears
• Kmart 'Basic Editions' Girls' Clothing Sets
• Polaris Ranger Utility Vehicle
• Nautilus Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gyms
• Heat-Wave' Heaters Sold at Menards' Stores
• Ridgewood/Charleswood Entertainment Cabinets
• Bell Mini Racing Helmets
• Black & Decker Toasters
• GE, Kenmore Microwave Combo Wall Ovens
• Nordic Track, Reebok Inversion Benches

Shopping for gifts? All safety recalls for the last several years are listed on our site, both alphabetically and by category. They're also easily searchable via our site's search box. The Recalls Home Page is the place to start.

HOUSING BAILOUT GETS COOL RECEPTION
In an effort to stem the bleeding of the housing sector into the overall economy, President Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced a plan that would enable homeowners in trouble from ballooning mortgage payments to qualify for a five-year rate freeze at their current, lower interest rate. Although Bush and Paulson insisted the plan was not a federal bailout since there is no federal money involved, the proposal met with a cool reception all around. Consumer advocates say the plan is too narrow and won't help homeowners already behind on their payments, while Wall Street said the plan would spark lawsuits from investors in mortgage-backed securities.

HOME PRICES STILL FALLING; DELINQUENCIES, FORECLOSURES INCREASE
If you were hoping that 2008 would bring an end to the avalanche in the housing market, think again. A new report from financial analysts Moody's paints a grim outlook for the housing sector, predicting that nationwide home prices will fall by 13 percent through 2009, with some markets experiencing price decreases of as much as 30 percent. Moody's economists predict that the market won't experience a full recovery until 2010.

Meanwhile, the Mortgage Bankers' Association reported that rates of loan payment delinquency and foreclosure starts were at record-high levels, with California and Florida representing the largest percentage of foreclosures, particularly for adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) with subprime loan terms.

More scams and outrages...

• Losing Your Cell Phone Could Cost More Than You Think Consumers should treat phones like credit cards.

• Texas Sues Kids' Web Sites Sites allegedly collect personal information on children.

• Hannah Montana Fans Skip the Scalpers Same-day tickets save the day for Kansas City fans.

• Indiana Sues Timeshare Marketers Promoters allegedly failed to honor refunds, award prizes, deliver the goods.

• AT&T Exits Pay Phone Business Clark Kent will have to change somewhere else.

• Spoofed Credit Union E-Mails Brazen new scheme takes 'phishing' one step further.

• Oklahoma Man Charged in eBay Scam Bidders didn't get their gold and silver.

JUMPIN' JEEPS CAUSE MORE INJURIES
ConsumerAffairs.com continues to receive stories of Jeeps suddenly accelerating without warning and not stopping even when the driver slams the brakes, causing injury and property damage for bystanders. This week's case comes from Neil in Minneapolis, who relates a terrifying tale of his Jeep suddenly accelerating out of a car wash, injuring three people, one of whom was paralyzed, and totaling four cars. Chrysler and federal authorities, naturally, blame driver error for the problem.

More automotive news...

• Gas Above $3 for the Winter Average price up 72 cents over last year.

• Consumer Reports Snubs Toyota Highlander Magazine withholds its coveted "Recommended" designation.

• Hybrid Universe Expanding Rapidly Monetary savings may not be extreme but hybrids are 'greener'.

• Japanese Dominate Car Owner Satisfaction Survey Europeans gain slightly, domestics inch upward.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED WHEN TRAVELING BY AIR
Lost luggage, long lines, being bumped from flights--ah, the joys of modern air travel. Whether it's a holiday rush or an overnight business trip, your chances of getting tripped up while flying will be considerably lessened if you know what to look out for. David Wood has the rundown of unexpected tricks and smart tips to keep in mind when taking to the skies.

More travel news...

• Airlines Working on Chronically-Late Flights Overall airline performance slips slightly in October.

• Study: Airport Delays Threaten NYC Economy City's comptroller wants feds to modernize air traffic system.

CREDIT CARD COMPANIES ON THE CARPET
Consumers have been victimized by the credit card industry in many ways for years, not least of which has been hiking a customer's interest rate if their FICO lending score drops--even if they pay their bills on time. The Senate held hearings on the practice, with Michigan Democrat Carl Levin promising more regulation on the financial industry doesn't clean up its act and stop penalizing customers who, as he put it, "hold up their end of the financial bargain."

More credit card news...

• Study: Seniors Not Familiar With Credit Freezes Barriers include cost, accessibility, AARP study finds.

LOWER BACK PAIN A PROBLEM FOR ALL AGES
Lower back pain is one of those ailments so common that people almost don't realize how extensive and debilitating it is--and that it can be treated with good diet, exercise, and better habits. In a three-part-series, Fred Cicetti looks at the causes of lower back pain, and how even small changes to your daily life can protect your back.

More health news...

• Patients Balk at New Asthma Inhalers Dr. Henry Fishman reports the new HFA inhalers are better for the environment but how about the patients?

• Need New Knees? Read This First New surgical procedure cuts recovery time for many.

• Cancer Warning Urged for Beta-Carotene Supplements Researchers find 'convincing' evidence of higher risk.

• Research Finds Green Tea Helpful Against Breast Cancer Military scientists find antitumor effect in breast cancer cells.

• Low-Calorie Food Prices Surge Fresh fruit, vegetable prices outpace less nutritious foods.

• Some Common Sinus Treatments May Not Be Effective Antibiotics, steroids no better than placebo, study finds.

• Fitness May Outweigh Fat as Longevity Indicator Study finds fit seniors less likely to die, even if overweight.

• Entrust Your Pet to a Pet Trust Trusts can care for your pet when you're no longer able to.

• Feds List Worst Nursing Homes 52 facilities make the 'worst of the worst' list.

• Honey May Relieve Children’s Cough Study finds more relief from honey than from cough medicine.

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