ConsumerAffairs.Com Scam Alerts http://www.consumeraffairs.com/scam_alerts/scam_alerts.htm New scams, alerts, warnings from ConsumerAffairs.Com en-us Copyright 2004 ConsumerAffairs.Com info@consumeraffairs.com (Truman Lewis) jhood@consumeraffairs.com (Jim Hood) http://backend.userland.com/rss California Targets Medical Discount Plans http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/02/ca_medical_discounts.html State officials seek new licensing regulations Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:19:00 GMT FTC Issues Bamboo Ad Warning http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/02/bamboo02.html Retailers, including Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart, get agency letters Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:25:00 GMT FTC Wants to Outlaw Advance-Fee Foreclosure Rescue http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/02/ftc_advance_fee.html Several states already have such bans in place Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:25:00 GMT Eli Lilly Pays Mississippi $18.5 Million to Settle Zyprexa Claims http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/02/ms_zyprexa_settlement.html Money arrives at critical time, state says Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:55:00 GMT Ohio Sues California Rescue Operations for Conning Consumers http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/02/oh_ca_mortgage_lawsuit.html Attorney General's lawsuit targets Orange County law firm, disbarred attorney Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:35:00 GMT Church Groups Indicted in Delaware Mortgage Rescue Scheme http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/02/de_mortgage_scam.html Largest foreclosure rescue scam in state history, attorney general says Tue, 02 Feb, 2010 21:35:00 GMT Kansas Attorney General Warns of Debt Collection Scam http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/ks_debt_collection.html Fraudsters pose as cops to extort money Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:40:00 GMT West Virginia Sues Capital One http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/wva_capone.html State finds loophole in banks' preemption defense Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:05:00 GMT Indoor Tanning Association Settles Skin Cancer Case http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/ftc_tanning_settlement02.html FTC charges group lied about skin cancer risks from tanning Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:20:00 GMT New York Probes Online Stores for Unauthorized Charges http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/ny_unauthorized_charges.html 1-800-Flowers.com and Classmates.com among those investigated Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:35:00 GMT Extended Warranty Settlers Settle With Oregon http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/or_extended_warranties.html Dealer Warranty Services and owners required to pony up $20,000 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:40:00 GMT Scammers Target Families of Haitian Earthquake Survivors http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/haiti_disaster_scams02.html Claims that special documents can bypass immigration process Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:35:00 GMT Don't Let Your Heart or Wallet Get Hijacked This Valentine's Day http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/valentines_scams.html Scammers taking advantage of holiday once again Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:45:00 GMT Midas Franchise Pays California $1.8 Million to Settle Bait-and-Switch Charges http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/fast_food_labels.html State investigators go undercover to expose car repair scam Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:59:00 GMT Salon Owner Gets Jail Time for Using Fake Botox http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/wa_botox_scam.html Woman injected with unknown substance Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:20:00 GMT Pennsylvania Sues Computer Training School http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/computertraining_scam.html School suddenly closed after collecting tuition payments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:59:00 GMT West Virginia Reins In Three Debt Settlement Firms http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/wva_debt_settlement.html Investigation stemmed from single consumer's complaint Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:40:00 GMT Bill Me Later Charges Illegal Interest Rates, Class Action Says http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01//bill_me_later_suit.html eBay subsidiary uses bank affiliation to skirt California usury laws. Wed, 14 Jan 2010 14:45:00 GMT FTC Wins Case Against Marketers of Unproven Weight-Loss Products http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/ftc_weightloss.html $2 million fine ordered in case of diet tea and Bio-Slim patch Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:49:00 GMT Watch Out For Scammers Exploiting Haiti Earthquake http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/haiti_disaster_scams.html Consumer advocates offer tips on vetting charities for donation Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:59:00 GMT Arizona Sues Loan Modification Company for Deceptive Practices http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/az_loanmods.html Attorney General accuses company of demanding advance fees Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:35:00 GMT Exercise Caution With Health Clubs http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/health_clubs_caution.html Clubs have history of high-pressure sales, broken promises Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:25:00 GMT Class Action Says DirecTV Forces Consumers to Pay for Fraudulent Accounts http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/directv_suit.html More legal trouble for perennial corporate defendant. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:15:00 GMT Ohio Consumer Complaints Hit Record in 2009 http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/oh_consumer_complaints.html Automotive complaints, debt collection top the list Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:12:00 GMT Oregon Blocks Loan Modification Firm http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/or_loanmods.html Law firm was charging advance fee for services Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:55:00 GMT FTC Wins $675,000 Settlement With Debt Collectors http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/ftc_debt_settlement.html Agency releases new video explaining consumer rights Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:10:00 GMT States Win $22.5 Million Settlement Over Blocking of Generic Drugs http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/tricor_settlement.html Attorneys General charge that drugmakers prevented alternatives from hitting market Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:10:00 GMT Consumers Continue To Fall Into The Rebate Trap http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/rebate_trap.html Rebates consistently produce consumer complaints. Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:45:00 GMT Consumer Reports: Many Infomercial Products Not Worth Buying http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/cr_infomercials.html Snuggie, Slap Chop, and ShamWow among them. Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:30:00 GMT FDA Warns Against Con Artists Posing as Agents http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/fda_impersonation02.html Scammers demand "fines" over the phone Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:15:00 GMT Missouri Continues Auto Warranty Crackdown http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/mo_auto_warranty.html Attorney General sues total of 10 marketers Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:51:00 GMT Six Arrested For Exploiting Nursing Home Residents http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/ms_nursing_home.html Mississippi attorney general charges money taken from residents Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:40:00 GMT Pop-Up Security Warnings Pose Threats http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/security_popups.html 'Malvertising' a growing problem, FBI says. Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:20:00 GMT Michigan Busts Ponzi Scheme Targeting Seniors http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/mi_ponzi.html Attorney General charges three over $350 million fraud Tue, 28 Dec 2009 21:55:00 GMT Visa Pledges Help On Unauthorized Charges http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/visa_unauthorized.html Identifying merchants with excessive cardholder disputes Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:10:00 GMT New York Announces Settlement With Three Home Health Agencies http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/ny_medicaid_fraud.html Cuomo's suit accused company of employing unqualified aides Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:01:00 GMT Top 10 Scams of 2009: Scam Artists Go Corporate http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/top_10_scams.html There's never a recession for innovative, forward-looking scam artists, as 2009 proved. Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:10:00 GMT Top 10 Scams of 2009: Scam Artists Go Corporate http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/top_10_scams.html There's never a recession for innovative, forward-looking scam artists, as 2009 proved. Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:10:00 GMT California Wins $21 Million Settlement Over Albuterol Price Hikes http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/ca_albuterol.html Firm accused of cheating state health system Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:15:00 GMT FTC Urged To Place Tighter Controls On 'Free' Credit Reports http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/blackberry_down.html Consumers are confused, New York officials say. Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:59:00 GMT National Home Protection Settles New York Suit http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/ny_home_warranties.html Defunct "warranty" company accused of defrauding customers Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:40:00 GMT Florida Resolves Toll Pass Dispute With Avis http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/fl_avis.html Company allegedly changed policy without telling customers Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:45:00 GMT Connecticut Post Office Hiding Mail http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/ct_post_office.html You've got mail...or do you? Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:40:00 GMT Missouri Sues California Auto Warranty Telemarketer http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/mi_telemarketers.html Company allegedly ignored state's Do Not Call List Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:25:00 GMT Washington Sues DIRECTV for Unconscionable Sales Practices http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/wa_directv.html Claims consumers buried by big fees in fine print Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:55:00 GMT Credit Card Scam Preys on Union Workers http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/oh_credit_card_scam.html Advance-fee offers may be too good to be true. Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:15:00 GMT Illinois Sues Spa for Unapproved Treatments http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/il_spa_treatments.html Allegedly caused patients extreme pain Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:45:00 GMT Job Placement Scams Proliferate in High Jobless Area http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/oh_job_scams.html Beware of guarantees, upfront fees Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:50:00 GMT States Warn Against Dubious Charities http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/states_charity_scams.html Attorneys General warn citizens about professional solicitors Wed, 9 Dec 2009 21:05:00 GMT Arizona Supplement Firm Settles Deceptive Ad Suit http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/az_supplements.html Suit claimed consumers got stuck with unauthorized charges Wed, 9 Dec 2009 20:30:00 GMT Attorneys General Warn of Free Credit Report Confusion http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/ags_freecreditreport.html Call for clear disclaimer in advertising Wed, 9 Dec 2009 19:30:00 GMT California Takes Closer Look at Commercial Fundraisers http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/ca_charity_donations.html Some fundraisers take large cut Fri, 4 Dec 2009 19:55:00 GMT Senator Presses Credit Card Companies on Unauthorized Charges http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/rockefeller_credit_cards.html Rockefeller seeks more information on data pass Fri, 4 Dec 2009 17:45:00 GMT Price-Comparison Web Sites Accused of Fraud http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/tx_price_comparison_web_sites.html Texas charges sites secretly accepted cash for high ratings. Fri, 4 Dec 2009 14:40:00 GMT Avoid Counterfeit Products When Holiday Shopping http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/12/counterfeit_shopping.html Knock-offs can hurt consumers as well as manufacturers Tue, 1 Dec 2009 23:55:00 GMT States Step Up Pressure on Mortgage Fraud http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/il_nj_mortgage_fraud.html Illinois, New Jersey among states taking action Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:16:00 GMT Consumers May Soon See Fewer Scam Ads http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/scam_ads.html Google banning advertisers, not just ads, from its ad network. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:50:00 GMT Hy Cite Refunds Still Available to California Consumers http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/ca_hycite.html Brown: Company 'hoodwinked' consumers using deceptive tactics. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:35:00 GMT Consumer Reports Takes on Pushy Retail Practices http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/cr_pushy_retailers.html New campaign unveils survey of top holiday shoppping turnoffs. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT Consumers Warned About 'The Twelve Scams of Christmas' http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/12_scams_of_christmas.html Cybercriminals take advantage of the holiday season. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:40:00 GMT California Targets Church Kiosk Scammers http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/ca_kiosk_scam.html Attorney General says 30 churches sold shoddy equipment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:05:00 GMT Retailers Applaud GAO Report on Interchange Fees http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/gao_interchange.html Government agency finds fees rapidly increasing Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:25:00 GMT Ohio Sues Credit Rating Agencies http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/oh_credit_agencies.html Accused of 'spectacularly misleading' ratings Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:25:00 GMT Suit Says Facebook Scammed Gamers Out of Information, Cash http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/facebook_zynga.html Developer accused of tricking players into unwanted monthly charges Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:20:00 GMT Florida Attorney General Warns Big Banks On Modifications http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/fl_homeowners.html Consumers complain about getting a runaround from servicers Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:55:00 GMT How To Get The Most Out of Consumer Protection Laws http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/ca_wellsfargo_scam02.html Consumer Reports' money advisor offers tips Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:05:00 GMT California Settles With Wells Fargo, Recovers $1.4 Billion for Investors http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/ca_wellsfargo_scam02.html Attorney General accuses bank of leaving customers out in the cold Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:59:00 GMT Senate Committee Slams Abusive Marketers http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/senate_abusive_marketers.html Consumers tricked into spending billions, investigators find Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:16:00 GMT Illinois Sues Natural Hair Growth Institute http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/il_hair_scam.html Attorney General says company makes claims it can't prove Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:20:00 GMT FTC Files Contempt Citation Against BlueHippo http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/ftc_bluehippo_contempt.html Agency claims company has ignored 2008 court order Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT California Arrests Alleged Mastermind of Multimillion-Dollar Ponzi Scheme http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/ca_ponzi.html Attorney General hits alleged culprit with 100 criminal counts Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:50:00 GMT DOT Fines Ultimate Fares $600,000 For Advertising Violations http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/dot_ultimatefares.html Company failed to state full fare to customers Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:50:00 GMT Marsh & McLennan Settles Investor Suit for $400 Million http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/marsh_mclellan.html Alleged scheme caused stock to lose half its value Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:22:00 GMT Celebration Studios Owner Pleads Guilty to Theft http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/nj_celebration_studios.html Closes book on New Jersey bridal nightmare Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:30:00 GMT Virginia’s Price Gouging Statute Activated As Storm Batters the East http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/va_gouging.html Tropical Storm Idea and coastal Nor'easter bring high water, power failures Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:45:00 GMT Protecting Your Credit Card from Unauthorized Charges http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/unauthorized_charges.html Think before giving anyone your credit card information Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:25:00 GMT Avoid Fraud When Holiday Shopping Online http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/holiday_shopping_scams.html AutoTrader.com offers smart buying tips Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:30:00 GMT Companies Sued for Credit Card Interest Rate Scheme http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/il_credit_card_scam.html Consumers warned about telemarketers' claims of immediate savings Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:55:00 GMT Florida Accuses Loan Modifiers of Fraud http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/fl_mortgage_scams.html Companies charged homeowners upfront fees Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:59:00 GMT Companies Warned Against Marketing Illegal Flavored Cigarettes http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/11/fda_flavored_cigarettes.html FDA letters spell out consequences Mon, 9 Nov 2009 20:40:00 GMT