News in January 2010

Microsoft Hit with Class Action Over XBox Points

Suit latest in a long line of points-related complaints

Honda Recalls Cars To Fix Fire Hazard

Problem in Honda Fit linked to power window switch

West Virginia Sues Capital One

State finds loophole in banks' federal preemption defense

Credit Card Direct Mail Back on the Rise

Card issuers increase direct marketing as economy levels out

BlueHippo Charged with Violating Texas Law

Bankrupt firm continues to draw angry complaints

Study Claims Cellphone Bans Don't Reduce Crashes

New insurance data indicates various laws are ineffective

Kansas Attorney General Warns of Debt Collection Scam

Fraudsters pose as cops to extort money

New York Probes Online Stores for Unauthorized Charges

1-800-Flowers.com and Classmates.com among those investigated

ATV Injuries and Deaths Among Children Decrease

Numbers trending downward but still high

Indoor Tanning Association Settles Skin Cancer Case

FTC charges group lied about skin cancer risks from tanning

Toyota Adds 1.1 Million Vehicles to Accelerator Pedal Recalls

Feds say they pressure Toyota to suspend sales of affected models

Feds Ban Texting by Commercial Drivers

Violations carry heavy fines

'Extended Warranty' Sellers Settle With Oregon

Dealer Warranty Services and owners required to pony up $20,000

Can Antioxidants Be Harmful?

Researchers say antioxidants can impair muscle function

Fireproofing Chemicals May Cause Fertility Issues

New study claims that exposure causes pregnancy delays

Toyota Suspends Sales of Popular Models Plagued by Sticking Accelerators

Unprecedented sales hiatus leaves dealers with little to offer customers

Grieving Father Seeks Better California Ski Resort Safety

Accident leads to proposal to strengthen safety rules

Survey Reveals Dwindling Confidence In Social Networking Security

Consumer awareness of identity breaches on the rise

Scammers Target Families of Haitian Earthquake Survivors

Claims that special documents can bypass immigration process

Did WHO Hype Swine Flu to Boost Drug Sales?

Agency denies charges it fanned fears to help Big Pharma

Study: Calorie Postings On Fast Food Menus Help Kids

Parents choose fewer calories for their children but not themselves

Major Changes To Quick Tax Refund Loans Industry

8.4 Million Refund Anticipation Loans Made in 2008

Midas Franchise Pays California $1.8 Million to Settle Bait-and-Switch Charges

State investigators go undercover to expose car repair scam

Don't Let Your Heart or Wallet Get Hijacked This Valentine's Day

Scammers taking advantage of holiday once again

Study: Better Chemical Safety Laws Could Reduce Chronic Disease

Revamping legislation could also lower health care costs

CPSC Outlines Revamped Crib Recall Policy

Credits or refunds for recalled items a possibility

Stroke Therapy Successful in Animal Tests

Could have implications for human stroke patients

Samsung TVs Draw Unusual Number Of Complaints

Consumers complain sets fail after two or three years ofuse

Public Citizen to FDA: Pull Fibromyalgia Drug from the Market

Medication has limited efficacy, risky effects, group says

Driving Wrecks Conversation

Talking while driving not as simple as it sounds

Group Adds Up 'Cost Of Bad Lending'

Site makes the case for Consumer Financial Protection Agency

Indiana Puppy Mill Operator Sentenced To Clean Cages

Consumer fraud case began with failure to pay state sales taxes

Toyota Recalls 2.3 Million More Vehicles to Fix Runaway Acceleration

4.2 million Toyotas and Lexuses were recalled late last year for a similar problem

California Recovers Stolen College Scholarship Funds

Trustee looted money from living trust

Graco Recalls Strollers Due to Fingertip Amputation and Laceration Hazards

Salon Owner Gets Jail Time for Using Fake Botox

Women injected with unknown substance

Do Consumers Have Too Many Choices?

More really is better, study suggests

California Firm Recalls Beef Products

Possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination behind recall

Dorel Asia Recalls Cribs After Infant Death, 10 Injuries

Pros and Cons of Gastric Bypass Surgery Charted

Surgery could be life-saving or fatal

Pennsylvania Sues Computer Training School

School suddenly closed after collecting tuition payments

U.S. Fidelis Facing Another Class Action

Warranty company issues bare-bones, loophole-ridden policies, suit charges

West Virginia Reins In Three Debt Settlement Firms

Investigation stemmed from single consumer's complaint

Tyson Foods Settles Suit Challenging 'No Antibiotics' Claim

Class action accused food giant of making false claims

FDA Warns Pet Owners of Salmonella in Beef Treats

Merrick Beef Filet Squares flagged for recall

Verizon Wireless Expands Data Charge To All 3G Phones

Part of new price structure on unlimited calling, data

Bill Me Later Charges Illegal Interest Rates

eBay subsidiary uses bank affiliation to skirt California usury laws

Class Action Says DirecTV Forces Consumers to Pay for Fraudulent Accounts

More legal trouble for perennial corporate defendant

Exercise Caution With Health Clubs

Clubs have history of high-pressure sales, broken promises

Watch Out For Scammers Exploiting Haiti Earthquake

Consumer advocates offer tips on vetting charities for donation

FTC Wins Case Against Marketers of Unproven Weight-Loss Products

$2 million fine ordered in case of diet tea and Bio-Slim patch

Scam Alert: Scammers Target Mobile Banking Customers

Phishing, lottery and census scams plaguing consumers

BPA Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Disease

Industry group says British study doesn't establish cause-and-effect relationship

California Sues E-cigarette Marketer

Claims product targets kids

Louisiana Files Chinese Drywall Suit

State claims tax revenues have fallen because of toxic drywall

California Lawmakers Consider Legalizing Marijuana Sales

Supporters say tax revenue could raise nearly $1 billion

AT&T;, Motorola, Qwest, V-Tech Telephone Batteries Recalled

Oregon Blocks California Loan Modification Firm

Law firm was charging advance fee for services

Class Action Says Chicago Mass Transit Discriminates Against Minorities

Points to disparities between city transportation and commuter rail

FTC Wins $675,000 Settlement With Debt Collectors

Agency releases new video explaining consumer rights

Ohio Consumer Complaints Hit Record in 2009

Automotive complaints, debt collection top the list

Medicine 2.0: Taking Your Health Into Your Own Hands

ePochondria pandemic drives millions to self-inflicted medical malpractice

Many Older Adults Still Use Illegal Drugs

Aging boomers' drug use could strain future treatment resources

Google's Nexus One: Could It Be A Kindle Killer?

Big screen, fast processor make for a pleasant reading experience

Ford Improves In-Car Internet Radio

New SYNC technology upgrade said to enhance experience

Study: Cell Phone Exposure May Protect Against And Reverse Alzheimer's Disease

Research indicates long-term exposure to cell phone signals may boost normal memory

States Win $22.5 Million Settlement Over Blocking of Generic Drugs

Attorneys General charge that drugmakers prevented alternatives from hitting market

Dismissed Federal Class Action Can't be Reheard in State Court, Judge Rules

Baycol decision could have far-reaching implications

EPA Delays Report on Flea and Tick Products That May Harm Pets

Pet owners continue to report adverse effects on animals

Master Forge Recalls Gas Grills Sold at Lowe's

Google's Nexus One: It's Unlocked But ...

T-Mobile still has a lock on Google's 'unlocked' phone

Pending Home Sales Plunge In November

Sales drop just ahead of expected end to tax credit

Consumer Watchdogs Challenge Comcast On 'TV Everywhere'

Cable giant accused of promoting monopoly, blocking competition

Consumer Reports: Many Infomercial Products Not Worth Buying

Snuggie, Slap Chop, and ShamWow among them

Bankruptcy Filings Increase 32 Percent In 2009

States with high foreclosure rates lead in filings

Consumers Continue To Fall In The Rebate Trap

Rebates consistently produce consumer complaints

Race To Replace Gas With Green Batteries

Battery could store almost as much energy as a tank of gas

Ohio Appeals Court Rejects Class-Action Settlement With Carfax

Approval of coupon settlement overturned

Banks Eye New Fees, Revenue In 2010

New rules protect consumers but reduce bank profits

Number of Pets Diagnosed with the H1N1 Influenza Virus Continues to Grow

Most animals catch the virus from their owners, handlers

FDA Seeks Shutdown Of New Jersey Cheese Plant

Plant has alleged history of contaminated products

Court Has Heard Enough in iPod Earbud Suit

Appeals court affirms 2008 dismissal of class action

RockYou Hit With Data Breach Class Action

Suit says hacking was result of company's negligence