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Consumer News & Alerts

February 25, 2008

By Martin H. Bosworth
ConsumerAffairs.com

THE SKINNY ON KIMKINS DIET PROMOTER

Woman's World gushed about the Kimkins diet. "Better than gastric bypass!" "Kim lost 200 lbs in 11 months!" "Christin lost 100 lbs in 5 months!" the popular supermarket check-out mag proclaimed. But the reality is somewhat different. There are lots of weaknesses in the story -- the "before" and "after" shots for one -- but perhaps most notable omission is the inconvenient truth about the diet's founder and namesake, Kim Drake.

The problem, you see, is that Kim is ... well, let's say she's a woman of size. There's nothing wrong with this, of course, unless you happen to be the promoter of a supposed sure-fire weight-loss program. And what does Woman's World have to say about all this? Not much, our David Wood discovered. Read more ...

DECEASED TEEN'S FAMILY ASKS FEDS TO INVESTIGATE PEOPLE TO PEOPLE
16-year-old Tyler Hill died while on a student ambassador trip organized by the Ambassadors Group and its People To People organization. Despite the group's claims that Hill, a diabetic, would be looked after and receive prompt medical treatment in case of emergency, Hill's parents allege that their son was left alone and denied emergency care despite becoming violently ill over the course of the trip. Now Lisa McCormick reports that the Hill family is taking its case to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), alleging a long history of deceptive marketing, dubious claims, and unethical business practices from People to People that contributed to their son's death.

TIP-PRONE SEARS STOVES ILLUSTRATE SAFETY AGENCY SHORTCOMINGS
Even as Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) head Nancy Nord continues to argue against increasing her own agency's funding and manpower, a settlement in a long-running case indicates the agency's weakness when it comes to enforcing consumer safety regulations. Sears recently settled a class-action lawsuit over stoves that tip over and can cause major injury--even death--without the use of brackets to fit them to the wall. Truman Lewis reports that despite evidence Sears was aware of the problem and took no action to correct it, the CPSC also sat on the issue for nearly twenty years without enforcing safer installation standards for the ranges.

This week's scams and outrages...

• Avoid Tax Rebate Direct Deposit Scam Callers claim to be with the 'tax refund department'.

• Kevin Trudeau's 'Natural Cures' Agrees to Missouri Refunds Consumers complained they were billed for newsletters they didn't order.

• Scammer Targets Our Scam Reporter 'Money Transfer Scam' doesn't float Mark's boat.

• Ionic Breeze Suit Drives Sharper Image into Bankruptcy Ionic Breeze lawsuits foul the retailer's air.

FROM HIGH-TECH DINOSAURS TO HANNAH MONTANA: TOYS OF THE FUTURE
All the recalls and hazards in the world can't keep children's love of toys down, and the toy industry is gearing up to take toys and children alike to the next level. Our Joseph Enoch visited the Toy Industry Association's toy fair and found that in the future, kids can play with remote-control cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells and animatronic interactive dinosaurs, and every product you can think of will come emblazoned with a Hannah Montana logo.

More toy news...

• Toys Safer than Ever, Toy Makers Claim Companies try to get back in the game at annual industry expo.

• Toy Industry Needs Import Safety Checklist Safety recalls frighten, repulse consumers, JPMorgan analyst warns.

ONSTAR GOES OFFLINE FOR SOME
General Motors has officially shut down the analog cellular network that powered OnStar service for 2002 and older model cars, leaving their drivers frustrated at the possibility of having to pay for a digital upgrade out of their own pockets--or not being offered an upgrade at all. Joe Benton looks at cases of GM owners angry at OnStar going offline.

More automotive news...

• National 'Hot Fuel' Lawsuit Moves Forward Federal judge refuses to dismiss suit alleging deceptive sale of gasoline, diesel fuel.

• Honda Civic GX Natural Gas Car Tops Greenies' List VW Toureg least eco-friendly.

• Feds Stop Up Probe of Chevy Aveo Stuck Throttle Ice formation in engine can cause problems.

• VW New Beetle Air Bags May Fail Feds step up investigation of sensor problems.

• Family Dollar Dart Boards

• Pecoware Children's Necklaces

• Riverside Publishing Memory Testing Cards

• Aloha Portable Heaters

• Louisville Ladder Extension Ladders

• Porsche Recalls Cayenne SUVs

• Nissan and Infiniti Recall 16,000 SUVs

• Cinderella Battery-Powered Toy Cars Sold at Wal-Mart

• Spiderman Water Bottles Sold at Sears

23 MILLION TV SETS MAY GO DARK IN DTV SWITCHOVER
In just under a year, over-the-air television broadcasts will switch from analog to digital signals, and a new report from Consumers' Union shows that as many as 23 million people may lose television service completely. The report points the finger at a lack of education on the issue, including the government's lack of effort to publicize it, and greedy electronics makers conning people into buying expensive electronic equipment for the transition they may not need.

More technology news...

• Lexis-Nexis Parent To Buy ChoicePoint $4.1 billion deal would create massive new information brokerage.

• Ionic Breeze Suit Drives Sharper Image into Bankruptcy Ionic Breeze lawsuits foul the retailer's air.

• Verizon Rolls Out Unlimited Calling Can wireless providers hear their customers now?

BANKS PULLING BACK ON HOME EQUITY LOANS
During the best times of the housing boom, homeowners could count on using their homes as ATMs, taking out big equity loans to pay for everything from home improvement to vacation to college tuition. No longer. Truman Lewis reports that as the housing market continues to collapse, major banks and lenders are shutting off or suspending access to home equity loans and lines of credit in order to shore up their weakening assets.

More financial news...

• Conference Board Bullish on Economy Little chance of a recession, report argues.

• Supreme Court Upholds Right To Sue 401(k) Administrators Unanimous decision defends right of individuals to sue.

• Retirees May Face Unexpected Lifestyle Changes Rising cost of health care threatens seniors' financial security.

NEW STUDY SUGGESTS CELL PHONE-SALIVARY GLAND CANCER LINK
Do cell phones cause cancer? It's a theory that's been suggested, debunked, and suggested again many times over the years. Now a new study from the American Journal of Epidemology raises the issue again by alleging evidence that prolonged usage of cell phones may cause the formation of cancerous tumors in the salivary glands. Researchers caution that the evidence is inconclusive, but that precautions should still be taken.

More health news...

• Less Salt, Fewer Soft Drinks? Reducing kids' salt intake could help them cut back on sugary sodas.

• Tobacco 'Innovations' Aimed at Younger Smokers Public health groups urge Congress to give FDA power to regulate tobacco.

• Obesity Blamed for Rising Stroke Rate in Women Study finds risk twice as high in obese middle-aged women.

• Glucosamine Doesn't Work, Study Finds Popular arthritis treatment has no apparent effect.

• Cataract Surgery Options Can Eliminate Bifocals New implantable lenses let patients see near, far and in between.

• Worst Time to Have a Heart Attack? Survival rate lowest on nights and weekends.

• Smoke and Booze Can Damage Sperm Would-be family men, beware.

• Spanish Language TV Linked To Latino Child Obesity Children bombarded by fast-food commercials.

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