News in March 2009

Judge Dismisses Amex Class Action

Cardholders' travel insurance gripes don't hold up, judge finds

Internet Crime Hit Highest Levels Ever in 2008

New report documents massive jumps in fraud, complaints

Yamaha Halts Sales of Rhino ATVs Pending Repairs

Feds count 46 fatal accidents involving the Rhino

Congress Moving Toward National Cap On Payday Loans

High-interest loans trap low-income consumers in 'spiral of debt'

Chase to Refund $4.4 Million in Credit Card Fees

Monthly fee was added to balance-transfer accounts

Computer Worm Set To Evolve April 1

DownAd worm morphs, dives more deeply below the surface

West Virginia Sues Online Payday Lenders

'Loan sharks of today'

Realtors Group Warns Of Rental Scam

Victims instructed to send money to 'agent' in UK

Federal Government Guarantees GM, Chrysler Warranties

Feds Oust GM CEO, Issue Overtime Parking Warning to Chrysler

California Cancels "Big Bad Student Travel" For Student Ripoffs

Agency pocketed money and didn't provide promised Spring Break trips

New Jersey Dodge Dealer Settles Fraud Charges

Accused pays $50,000 over falsifying loan applications

Pistachio Nuts Subject Of Latest Recall

Georgia company says products may be tainted with Salmonella

Groups Call For Food Safety Overhaul

Report wants increased oversight and coordination among responsible agencies

Parties Settle Paxil "Split Pill" Class Action

Alleged manufacturing defect in $28M settlement

Lawsuit Alleges Best Buy's "Price-Matching" Ignored, Violated

Judge certifies New York consumer lawsuit as class action

Digital Converter Box Program Vows to Replace Expired Coupons

Feds claim program is back on track after multiple stumbles

Pet Food Class Action - Menu Foods

One case is settled but controversy over destroyed pet food continues

Credit Card Reform Comes Back To Congress

Dual hearings emphasize need for changes to industry

Class Action Claims Petland Supports "Puppy Mills"

Pet store chain accused of deceiving owners as to origin of puppies

Red Meat Consumption May Increase Death Risk

New study shows greater likelihood of cancer occurrence

Rising Health Premiums Growing Problem For Consumers

Even privately insured families have trouble keeping up

Connecticut Probes Acai Berry Scams

Bogus weight loss claims, unauthorized charges at issue

Florida Targets Fraudulent Foreclosure "Rescue"

Company charged with deceptive marketing, victimizing Hispanic community

California Shuts Down Statewide "Home Repair" Scheme

Attorney General, state licensing board target inadequate, overpriced jobs

QVC to Settle Deceptive Claims Charges

Dietary supplements, anti-cellulite skin cream at issue

Tier IV Pricing Challenges Doctors And Patients

New insurance policies leave customers footing more of the bill

Babies, Bathtime, and Cancer?

Researcher disputes 'toxic bubble bath' study

Court Snuffs Vioxx Suit

Individualized issues rule out class action, judge decides

Texas Takes on Scams Targeting Seniors

Lead card and fake grandchild hoaxes investigated

Jackie Joyner-Kersee: FDA "Insensitive" to Asthma Patients' Problems

Sen. Grassley investigating federally-mandated "death machine" inhalers

Recession Has Consumers Thinking Of Hanging Up Cell Phones

Sagging economy has users dropping service, choosing prepaid

Pet Food Class Action Preemptively Thrown Out

Judge rules individual inquiries preclude class certification

New Jersey Sues Verizon Over Deceptive FiOS Marketing

State alleges telecom failed to live up to bargain promises

California Authorities Arrest "Loan Modification" Scam Artists

Defendants charged with bilking homeowners in trouble

Are Identity Theft Services Worth the Cost?

"Protection" often does little that consumers can't do for selves

CD Sales Decline, Downloads Rise in 2008

8 million more purchases of digital music in previous year

Pennsylvania Settles Miley Cyrus Fan Site Suit

Fan club members were unable to buy tickets early

Feds Charge Seven Credit Repair Companies with Deceiving Consumers

Companies claimed they could remove negative information from credit reports

New Jersey Calls 'Time Out' On Prepaid Calling Cards

Seven companies told that every second counts

California Cracks Down on Internet Get-Rich-Quick Scams

Sites promised consumers they could earn big bucks quickly

American Seniors Alliance Settles Texas Charges

Packaged and sold seniors' confidential information to telemarketers, solicitors

Loan Modifications Can Reduce Foreclosures, Study Says

Combining lower payments with write-downs significantly reduces defaults

Scammers Use Forged Bank Letterhead to Con California Consumers

Attorney General warns homeowners to not be fooled

FTC Settles With Atlanta Company Over Untimely Rebates

Telecom accused of deceptive marketing

Congress to Tackle Junk Food in Schools

Legislation introduced would update nutritional standards, ban unhealthy foods

New Jersey Funeral Homes Closed For Body Parts Harvesting

Director allowed to retain ownership, but placed under restriction

California Acts Against Subprime Auto Lender

Lobel Financial accused of harassing and intimidating borrowers

FDA Warns of Contaminated Cheese

Mexican-style cheese may be contaminated with Listeria

Identity Thieves Prowling for Job Seekers

Fake job ads up 345% as recession creates opportunities for scam artists

FDA Closes Tortilla Plant

Unsanitary conditions found at Chicago company's plant

Six Companies Stop Using Bisphenol-A In Bottles

Mounting evidence that chemical is dangerous despite FDA claims

Recaro Recalls Child Safety Harnesses

Financial Fraud Hits 7.5 Percent Of Americans In 2008

Data breaches lead to big changes in buying practices

Illinois Charges Car Dealers' Stimulus Ads Are Scams

Ads claim consumers won't pay sales tax on auto purchases

America Betrayed: Report Blasts Wall Street, DC Corruption for Financial Disaster

Legal bribes, influence peddling led to excessive deregulation

Obama Begins Mortgage Rescue Program

Mortgage rescue plan aims to help responsible, troubled homeowners

Net Neutrality Advocate Tapped As FCC Head

Genachowski expected to support Internet openness

NY to AT&T: Please Deposit $2.63 Million

State charges rebate offers were "onerous and condition-laden"

FTC Warns Consumers About "Stimulus" Scams

Don't fall for ads promising government payouts

FDA Falls Short in Regulating Dietary Supplements

Government report finds agency behind the curve in oversight

Peanut-Related Recalls Continue

Granola, cookies among latest recalled products

Teens Who Wear Alcohol-Branded Gear More Likely To Drink

Study claims that marketing is specially geared to teens

New Jersey Steps Up Cell Phone Law Enforcement

Police departments crack down on talking while driving

Johnson & Johnson Fined $4.47 Million For Deceptive Marketing

Pharmaceutical subsidiary allegedly made false statements about drugs

Teens Want To Learn More About Money

Many young adults still pick up financial acumen the hard way

FreeCreditReport.Com Is Far From "Free"

Service lures buyers into paying for credit monitoring

American Express Safe from Class Actions? Court Says No

In big win for consumers, federal appeals court turns aside Amex claims