News in May 2009

Texas Charges Conn's Failed to Honor Warranties

Suit charges appliance chain deceived customers, engaged in false advertising

Obama Promises Support for Cybersecurity, Net Neutrality

Advocates appointment of "cyber czar," increased funding and education

Lawmakers Target Bank Overdraft Fees

Democrats want Fed to restrict "courtesy" program

Court Rules Lawsuit Against AT&T/Cingular Can Proceed

Customers allege poor service during buyout

New Jersey Sues Over Phony Springsteen Ticket Sales

Investigators bust companies for deceptive practices

California Files 79 Criminal Charges in $200 Million Ponzi Scheme

Defendants accused of bilking investors out of retirement savings

Advanta Closes Customers' Credit Card Accounts

Analysts: company under severe financial stress

Systemax Buys Circuit City Name, Web Site

No retail locations planned but name will survive online

Consumers React to NUTRO Recalls; Zinc, Copper Levels Cited

FDA investigators say agency's probe is 'high priority'

Prevention Needed to Curb Foreclosure Rescue Scams

Consumer group warns that more enforcement and education are necessary

Two Hydroxycut Class Actions Filed

Suits follow recall of liver-damaging dietary supplement

Obama Signs Credit Card Bill

Measure bans some of issuers' least popular tactics

Another Chinese Drywall Suit Filed

Senate ponders what to do next

Harvard Study Raises BPA Concerns

Study finds chemical leaches from plastic water bottles

Feds, States Target Charity Scams

Bogus telemarketers claim to help police, firefighters, veterans

Nutro Recalls Dry Cat Food Products

Incorrect levels of zinc, potassium

NUTRO Recalls Dry Cat Food Sold in 11 Countries

Company blames supplier for incorrect zinc, potassium levels

Craigslist CEO Sues South Carolina Attorney General

Henry McMaster's threats violated federal law and the Constitution, suit argues

TicketsNow Once Again in Hot Water

Site sold Springsteen tickets that didn't exist

Obama Orders Rollback of Preemptions on State Laws

Decision hailed as victory for consumer protections

Bill in Congress Would Ban Substandard Drywall, Steel, Cement

"Junk should be ... shipped back to China," Rep. Stupak declares

Emails Suggest Cozy FDA-BPA Industry Relationship

Retailers drop products containing BPA despite FDA's position

Consumer Groups Challenge Chrysler Bankruptcy

Consumers shouldn't lose their lemon law, defective vehicle rights, groups argue

Swine Flu Spreads to 48 States; NYC Hard-Hit

26 schools closed in NYC, attendance down citywide

Texas Attorney General Takes on Text Message Scammers

"Smishing" uses fake mobile messages to harvest personal data

Consumer Site Appeals FDA's Refusal to Release NUTRO Records

Agency claims there is no investigation, so records should be released, site argues

Teflon Suit Slides Off DuPont

Cookware contains likely carcinogen

Internet Job Scams On The Rise

Jobs sound too good to be true

West Virginia Gets Injunction Against Texas Debt Firm

Able Debt Settlement blocked from doing business in state

Craigslist CEO, South Carolina AG Trade Potshots Over Erotic Ads

Attorney General promises to prosecute over charges of sex trafficking, porn

U.S. Energy Savings Corp. Agrees to Refunds

State cracks down on false promises of big savings

Judge Orders Halt to Warranty Robocalls

Senators spur FTC investigation against automated scammers

North Carolina Locks Down Phony Locksmith Scam

Attorney General targets scammers for false pricing

New York Cracks Down on Immigration Ripoff Scheme

Attorney General charges woman with fraud and deceptive practices

H-P, Compaq Notebook Computer Batteries Recalled

California Blocks Costly Property Tax Rip-Off

Attorney General takes on reassessment scheme

Growing Number of Adults in ATV Accidents

Seniors account for high percentage of injuries

Craigslist Shuts Down "Erotic Services" Ads

Pressure from Attorney Generals leads to revamp, more scrutiny

Illinois Files "Cramming" Suit Against California Firm

Chatsworth company accused of adding unwarranted charges to bills

FDA Warns General Mills About Cheerios Claim

"Heart-healthy" cholesterol-lowering claims challenged

People to People Uses Dead Student's Name as Recruiting Tool

Promise to remove Tyler Hill's name from database goes unfilled

FTC Seeks Comment On 'Negative Option' Rule

Tricky sales tool often turns 'no' into 'yes'

Feds Accuse Medical Billers Network Inc

Promoters sold deceptive work-at-home scheme

Senate Studies Soda Tax

Tax on sugary drinks would help finance health care

Iowa Bans Get-Rich-Quick Scheme

NYC promoter used Des Moines address to lure victims

More Boomers Losing Health Coverage

Older workers losing insurance when they need it most

Scammers Targeting Social Security Recipients

Seniors should be suspicious of any offer of help with stimulus payment

Feds Accuse California Lender of Charging Hispanics Higher Rates

Golden Empire Mortgage accused of illegal discrimination

California Gets Judgment Against Calling Card Company

Attorney General slams company for "hidden and deceptive" fees

New Jersey Broker Charged In $10 Million Ponzi Scheme

Accused of defrauding elderly investors

New York Subpoenas Debt Settlement Companies

Attorney General Cuomo launches nationwide probe of companies' practices

All 19 Banks Pass Stress Tests

But many require new capital infusions to stay solvent

BBB Warns of Door-to-Door Sales Scams

Consumers should be wary of door-to-door solicitations

Lawsuit Alleges Mac Power Adapters Are Faulty

Second suit alleging negligent design

Indiana Hit By Swine Flu Scams

Attorney General targets solicitors selling "swine flu kits"

Illinois Sues Two Debt Settlement Firms

SDS West, Debt Relief USA accused of deceptive practices

One In Five Homeowners Underwater

Bad real estate news persists, despite signs of life in market

Congress To Consider Legalizing Online Gambling

Frank wants 2006 ban amendment overturned

Texas Senate Places Limits On Tuition Hikes

Increases would be limited to five percent

Best Gas Grills For Under $500

Manufacturers move away from stainless to maintain pricing; Advice on how to choose

NUTRO Pulls Greenies Dental Chews from Supermarkets

Snacks will be distributed only through veterinarians, specialty retailers

California Foreclosure Rescue Defendants Rounded Up

Feds, state squash scams that preyed on troubled homeowners

More Warnings Against Swine Flu Scams

Agencies warn against promotions touting cures or treatments

Senate Defeats Mortgage 'Cram Down' Bill

Banking lobbyists prevail, bill's sponsor vows to keep trying

Eating Healthy Costs More

New study draws links between nutrition and economic status

FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Hydroxycut Weight-LossProducts

Dietary supplements linked to one death; risk of liver injury