Current Events in October 2010

With the announcement that "The Starbucks Digital Network" is launching in all 6,800 company-operated U.S. stores, providing Starbucks customers with a wide array of free, premium online content, Norton wants to take the opportunity to provide consumers with some basic tips on how to stay safe when using all Wi-Fi networks.

"While Wi-Fi networks are a great resource when you're away from home, they inherently can carry some risks as well," says Marian Merritt, Norton's Internet Safety Advocate. "Use some common sense and don't just hop on a network with a strong signal. Find out which one is actually coming from the coffee shop or airport lounge you're sitting in. With a little extra precaution, you'll avoid so-called 'evil twin' networks that trick travelers into connecting to unknown networks."

2. Beware of "Evil Twins": Some Wi-Fi networks can appear to be legitimate, but are not. Criminals can create "dummy" networks or websites that contain the name of the establishment you're in, but actually will direct your information to their own computer. If you always use the access keys provided by the business, you'll be protected.

For years, Ford and federal safety regulators were criticized for moving too slowly to recognize and remedy a fire-safety risk on millions of Ford vehicles.

Now it's Ford owners who are the target of a recall reprise. Federal regulators say that an estimated 8.4 million Ford vehicles that can possibly catch fire remain on the road because of lack of owner action even after the largest U.S. safety recall ever

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urged owners of the 14 million vehicles recalled between 1999 and 2009 for leaky cruise-control switches to take their unrepaired vehicles in to dealers. The switches on those vehicles may leak into the antilock brake system, dripping onto hot engine components and causing a fire, even hours after the vehicle has been shut off and parked.

Among the models that have been recalled over the years are 1992-2003 E series, 1993-2003 F series, 1995-2003 Windstars, 1995-2002 Explorers and 1995-2003 Rangers.

"If not repaired, the vehicles can catch fire, even if they are turned off, parked and unattended," NHTSA's statement said. The agency said that about 60 percent of the 14 million recalled vehicles -- or 8.4 million - have not been brought in for repair by owners.

For years, ConsumerAffairs.com has been receiving reports of Ford vehicles burning to the ground, often while unoccupied.  In a real-life version of the iconic firehouse fire, we have several reports of firemen complaining that their Ford trucks burned to the ground while parked outside the firehouse.

More routine are complaints such as this from Craig of Lake Zurich, Ill.:

"On the way to work one morning, heard a loud noise, sounded like the muffler fell off. Looked out the rear view mirror and there was a line of fire coming towards my truck. Threw the truck in park and opened the door to get out. The flames were already coming up from the bottom of the truck. Jumped over them and ran for safety. The truck burned to the ground."

Then there was Charlie of Elbertom, Ga.:

"My 2001 Ford Supercab pickup caught fire and burned 2 nights ago. The truck had been parked for over 10 hours. It also burned a car parked next to it, the parking garage and melted the vinyl siding on my house. Loss of all vehicles, 2001 Ford Supercab F150 and a 96 Toyota Corolla. Plus the damage to my house and garage."

Both vehicles likely were among the millions recalled, but owners -- especially those who bought the cars and trucks second- or third-hand -- may not have received or responded to the recall  notices.

Today's statement singled out used-car owners who may not know whether the vehicles they bought had ever been returned to dealers for needed repairs. It also urged owners "to watch for potential warning signs of an imminent fire."

Those signs include a cruise-control system or brake lights that stop working, low brake fluid and the illumination of brake warning lights on the dashboard.

Ford has notified owners about the recalls a number of times, company spokesman Wesley Sherwood said. The repair rate for the Ford models has been "likely lower than typical" because of their age, he added.

A Ford owner can check whether a vehicle has been recalled and repaired by entering the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the following site: www.myford.com.

We all have weird coworkers; when people who do and say ridiculous things, we think, "Surely, he's on drugs."

Well, you might be right.

According to the American Council for Drug Education, more than 70 percent of substance abusers hold a job. While this statistic includes abuse of both legal and illegal drugs, Quest Diagnostics, a diagnostic testing company, reported the use of prescription opiates by American workers and job applicants has increased by 40% since 2005.

Results from more than 5.5 million urine drug tests reveal an 18 percent jump in opiate positives in the general U.S. workforce in a single year (2008 to 2009), and a more than 40 percent climb from 2005 to 2009.

In addition, 2009 post-accident drug tests found opiates up to four times more often than pre-employment tests (3.7 percent in post-accident as compared to 0.78 percent in pre-employment tests in the case of hydrocodone), suggesting that these drugs may be playing a role in workplace accidents.

"Evidence of increased opiate use is now appearing in the workplace as well as the ER," said Dr. Barry Sample, director of science and technology for Employer Solutions, Quest Diagnostics. "Because more U.S. workers are performing their duties while taking prescription opiates, employers, particularly those with safety-sensitive workers, should note this trend and take appropriate steps to ensure worker and public safety."

And intoxicated employees aren't just a danger to themselves; they can be a danger to anyone around them.

The Florida Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (FSIPP), the group behind The Pain Truth, a statewide educational campaign dedicated to fighting prescription drug abuse; wants to educate employers and employees on ways to help reduce the risk of accidents precipitated by prescription addiction.

FSIPP pain physicians, located throughout the state, have drawn up some recommendations to help employers and employees raise awareness of prescription drug abuse in the workplace.

For Employers

• Provide materials that will educate employees on the harmful effects of prescription drug abuse.
• Be sure to have clearly stated rules in place outlining the disciplinary actions should prescription drug abuse be present in the workplace.
• Trainmanagers, human resource personnel, and others to identify and handle substance abusers.
• Look for abuse among the workforce; some signs of abuse include increased absences, decreased productivity and involvement in accidents both on and off the job.

For Employees

• Take responsibility - whether legal or otherwise, prescription pills do have side effects so be sure to be aware of the implications for both employee and employers if accidents do occur.
• If affected by prescription drug addiction, take advantage of the programs and information available.

"Being under the influence of prescription drugs can hinder an individual's mindset especially when operating heavy machinery," said Deborah Tracy, MD, president of FSIPP. "Safety and precaution are important first steps to take in order to start turning the tide on this current downward trend."

A Texas court has granted a temporary restraining order against two individuals that operated three Internet-based "home schools."

According to an enforcement action brought by the Texas Attorney General's Office, the defendants unlawfully marketed and sold fraudulent high school diplomas.

The state is seeking court-ordered restitution for customers who paid the defendants $225 to enroll in their program, take their "tests" and obtain their purported diplomas. The court ordered a temporary injunction hearing for 2 p.m. on Nov. 4.

The five unaccredited "diploma mill" defendants operate under a holding company called Advent Harvest Academy Corp. The "schools" named in the enforcement action are Sunrise Private High School, Longhorn Private High School and Bluebonnet Private High School. Defendants Teri Tout-Dennis and Mike Martin serve as director of education and executive school director, respectively.

"As the State of Texas strives to improve educational opportunities for all our children, it is intolerable to find unscrupulous individuals who would offer anyone with Internet access the ability to receive a diploma without the prerequisite studies," Attorney General Greg Abbott said. "This is a grave disservice to youngsters who later in life will come to realize they were exploited for their money and gained nothing in return."

According to state investigators, Advent Harvest Academy Corp. and its schools imposed no educational requirements. The schools required no age verification or identification; likewise, no instruction program or compulsory student "attendance" is mandated. Students simply pay $225 in advance via a credit card and then take an unaccredited "test."

Students are instructed to fax the test to the defendants who then "grade" it and respond with fraudulent academic diplomas through the mail, including "transcripts" containing credit hours based on the test results.

The defendants' so-called schools are registered with the Texas Secretary of State as domestic for-profit corporations and use the corporate number issued by that agency as their "school ID number" on diplomas. The numerical identification reflects an attempt to confer an air of legitimacy to the appearance of the diplomas., Abbott said.

The schools further attempt to make their fraudulent diplomas look legitimate by unlawfully superimposing a State of Texas seal onto the document. In an effort to avoid questions about state oversight, the defendants falsely told customers that they are not required to meet state licensing standards because they meet the "home school" exemption.

The schools have never been accredited by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools or the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission, Abbott charged.

Eating several servings of whole grains per day while limiting daily intake of refined grains appear to create less fat tissue in the body, according to researchers.

They add that limiting this particular type of fat tissue may help prevent cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

What's the difference between "whole" grain and "refined" grain? As the name implies, there is more of the grain in whole grain. It contains germ, endosperm and bran. Refined grain, on the other hand, usually just retains the endosperm.

Whole grains are a natural source of protein, as well as a source of carbohydrates.

Researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Researcher Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University observed lower volumes of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in people who chose to eat mostly whole grains instead of refined grains.

Whole grains three times a day

"VAT volume was approximately 10 percent lower in adults who reported eating three or more daily servings of whole grains and who limited their intake of refined grains to less than one serving per day," said first author Nicola McKeown, PhD, a scientist with the Nutritional Epidemiology Program at the USDA HNRCA.

An example of whole grain food is oatmeal or whole wheat bread. Examples of refined grain food are rice and white bread.

McKeown and colleagues, including senior author Caroline S. Fox, MD, MPH, medical officer at The Framingham Heart Study of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), examined diet questionnaires submitted by 2,834 men and women enrolled in The Framingham Heart Offspring and Third Generation study cohorts.

The participants, ages 32 to 83, underwent sophisticated tests to determine VAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) volumes.

Visceral fat surrounds the intra-abdominal organs while subcutaneous fat is found just beneath the skin.

"Prior research suggests visceral fat is more closely tied to the development of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors including hypertension, unhealthy cholesterol levels and insulin resistance that can develop into cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes," said co-author Paul Jacques, director of the Nutritional Epidemiology Program at the USDA HNRCA and a professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts.

"Not surprisingly, when we compared the relationship of both visceral fat tissue and subcutaneous fat tissue to whole and refined grain intake, we saw a more striking association with visceral fat. The association persisted after we accounted for other lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol intake, fruit and vegetable intake, percentage of calories from fat and physical activity," Jacques said.

Read the labels

Adding whole grain foods to your diet will probably require some label-reading. When shopping, check the ingredients list closely. If the first ingredient in the list is "whole wheat," "whole meal," or whole corn," then it's a whole grain food item.

Try to avoid products with ingredients described as "enriched" or "bromated." That could indicated refined ingredients.

Just because the first ingredient is listed as "wheat flour," that doesn't necessarily mean it's a whole grain product. A better indicator is "wholegrain wheat flour" or "whole wheat flour."

A coalition of consumer groups is calling on the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to adopt stricter guidance that requires banks to use fair overdraft practices and fully inform consumers.

In a letter to Acting Comptroller of the Currency John Walsh, the groups - including the Consumer Federation of America, the National Consumer Law Center, the Center for Responsible Lending, Consumers Union, Consumer Action, National Association of Consumer Advocates and U.S. Public Interest Research Group -- note that the nation's largest banks charge customers overdraft fees averaging $35 per transaction, often adding up to hundreds of dollars per day.

Overdraft triggers

The most common triggers of overdraft fees are small debit card transactions -- which cost the consumer nothing when they are simply denied due to lack of funds.

Over the summer, a new Federal Reserve rule went into effect requiring banks to get consumers' consent or "opt-in" to pay overdraft fees for debit card single purchase and ATM overdrafts. But because the Fed did not address the size or frequency of overdraft fees, banks still have strong incentives to push customers to opt in, and then continue to barrage them with fees, the groups contend.

Banks are sending letters to consumers trying to persuade them to opt into paying fees for overdrafts, saying that they may need this service in an emergency. The groups claim the banks typically carry a far lower-cost option -- an overdraft line of credit -- and many also offer transfers from savings accounts or credit cards, which are also usually less expensive.

Time to step up

"The FDIC and Office of Thrift Supervision have already proposed strengthening overdraft guidelines for the banks they oversee. Now it is time for the OCC to take action," said Rebecca Borne of the Center for Responsible Lending. "The OCC should prohibit banks from steering customers into the highest cost overdraft option. Banks should be required to evaluate any customer who wants overdraft coverage to determine whether the consumer qualifies for a lower-cost overdraft option."

Lauren Saunders of the National Consumer Law Center notes that the largest banks typically rearrange and process payments largest first, which significantly increases fees for low-balance customers by causing multiple fees when a single large payment exhausts available funds. "The OCC should make it clear to banks that they should not post transactions in an order that maximizes fees," she says.

Time for action

The OCC's recent $33 million enforcement action involving Woodforest National Bank "illustrates the need for the OCC to address excessive overdraft fees across the board," said Jean Ann Fox of the Consumer Federation of America. "Woodforest Bank's practices do not appear to be atypical. The OCC should also limit the number of overdraft fees to six per year, consistent with the FDIC's recent proposal recognizing that charging more than six fees per year constitutes excessive use."

Consumers Union's Lauren Bowne says it appears that during the last few months a number of banks have been pressuring consumers or asking them repeatedly to opt in to overdraft coverage. She believes the OCC put a stop to it adding, "If a consumer declines to opt in or to provide an answer, the bank should be required to assume that the consumer does not wish to opt in and not solicit the consumer again."

Informing consumers

"Consumers must be given information about the comparative cost of each alternative in order to make a truly informed and meaningful choice, including a sample APR disclosure to compare fee-based overdraft loans with a traditional overdraft line of credit or transfer from a credit card," according to Linda Sherry of Consumer Action. "Every opt-in form should prominently display that the cost of not opting in to ATM and one-time debit card overdraft coverage is $0."

Consumers should get a clear and prominent message that declining to opt in means they will never incur any overdraft fees for ATM and single debit card transactions, the groups said.

No one can argue that a baby changes everything.A few years ago, experts agreed they even change their moms' brains.Women, once sharp and focused, found themselves fuzzy and forgetful after getting pregnant or bringing their new baby home. The phenomena even got a funny, snappy name: "momnesia."

But new research claims motherhood may actually cause the brain to grow, not turn it into mush.

Exploratory research published by the American Psychological Association found that the brains of new mothers bulked up in areas linked to motivation and behavior, and that mothers who gushed the most about their babies showed the greatest growth in key parts of the mid-brain.

Led by neuroscientist Pilyoung Kim, PhD, now with the National Institute of Mental Health, the authors speculated that hormonal changes right after birth, including increases in estrogen, oxytocin and prolactin, may help make mothers' brains susceptible to reshaping in response to the baby. Their findings were published in the October issue of Behavioral Neuroscience.

The motivation to take care of a baby, and the hallmark traits of motherhood, might be less of an instinctive response and more of a result of active brain building, neuroscientists Craig Kinsley, PhD, and Elizabeth Meyer, PhD, wrote in a special commentary in the same journal issue.

The researchers performed baseline and follow-up high-resolution magnetic-resonance imaging on the brains of 19 women who gave birth at Yale-New Haven Hospital, 10 to boys and nine to girls. A comparison of images taken two to four weeks and three to four months after the women gave birth showed that gray matter volume increased by a small but significant amount in various parts of the brain.

In adults, gray matter volume doesn't ordinarily change over a few months without significant learning, brain injury or illness, or major environmental change.

The areas affected support maternal motivation (hypothalamus), reward and emotion processing (substantia nigra and amygdala), sensory integration (parietal lobe), and reasoning and judgment (prefrontal cortex).

In particular, the mothers who most enthusiastically rated their babies as special, beautiful, ideal, perfect and so on were significantly more likely to develop bigger mid-brains than the less awestruck mothers in key areas linked to maternal motivation, rewards and the regulation of emotions.  

The mothers averaged just over 33 years in age and 18 years of school. All were breastfeeding, nearly half had other children and none had serious postpartum depression.

Although these early findings require replication with a larger and more representative sample, they raise intriguing questions about the interaction between mother and child (or parent and child, since fathers are also the focus of study).

The intense sensory-tactile stimulation of a baby may trigger the adult brain to grow in key areas, allowing mothers, in this case, to "orchestrate a new and increased repertoire of complex interactive behaviors with infants," the authors wrote.

Expansion in the brain's "motivation" area in particular could lead to more nurturing, which would help babies survive and thrive physically, emotionally and cognitively.

Further study using adoptive mothers could help "tease out effects of postpartum hormones versus mother-infant interactions," said Kim, and help resolve the question of whether the brain changes behavior or behavior changes the brain - or both.

The authors said that postpartum depression may involve reductions in the same brain areas that grew in mothers who were not depressed. "The abnormal changes may be associated with difficulties in learning the rewarding value of infant stimuli and in regulating emotions during the postpartum period," they said.

Further study is expected to clarify what happens in the brains of mothers at risk, which may lead to improved interventions.

In their "Theoretical Comment," Kinsley and Meyer, of the University of Richmond, connected this research on human mothers to similar basic research findings in laboratory animals. All the scientists agreed that further research may show whether increased brain volumes are due to growth in nerve cells themselves, longer and more complex connections (dendrites and dendritic spines) between them, or bushier branching in nerve-cell networks.

An Illinois Jury has ruled that Whirlpool violated the state's Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act in marketing its steam clothes dryers. But the jurors said that violation did not rise to the level of fraud.

At issue was Whirlpool's ads for its Cabrio and Duet steam dryers, as well as its Maytag Bravo line. The jury found Whirlpool was deceptive in describing the dryers as "steam" models, since they actually use a cold water spray.

Whirlpool, on its part, hailed the split verdict as a victory.

"We are very pleased with the decision," saidMarc Bitzer, president, Whirlpool North America Region.  "This case is about consumer choice, competition in the American free market, and offering the kind of innovative laundry solutions Whirlpool has provided to consumers for nearly 100 years. Our steam dryers, which provide more convenient steam performance and consumer benefits, are a perfect example of our leadership.  This win means consumers will continue to have a choice in purchasing their steam laundry appliances."  

Nasty fight

The case was brought by Whirlpool's increasingly bitter rival, LG, which viewed the outcome as anything for a victory for its competitor.

In the case filed onJan. 10, 2008, LG alleged that Whirlpool made false statements in marketing its Duet and Cabrio Steam Dryers, as well as the Maytag brand Bravo Steam Dryer manufactured by Whirlpool, because these products do not produce or use steam.  

Instead, they spray water from a cold water source into a heated drum, which tumble dries the wet clothes in the same manner as conventional dryers. Whirlpool claimed that evaporation from the heated clothes is steam, but the jury rejected that defense, finding that Whirlpool violated the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

With JudgeAmy St. Evepresiding, the eight-woman, one-man jury made its determination of facts in the case upon deliberating for one day, after hearing from more than 19 witnesses during the 11-day trial.

"Today's verdict reaffirms LG's commitment to develop and produce the most technologically innovative laundry machines on the market," saidJames Shad, president of LG Electronics USA.

Marketing battle

The case actually appeared to be more of a marketing battle than a legal argument. Lawyers for LG pointed up what they said were differences between LG's Steam Dryer and Whirlpool's Duet Steam Dryer.

Both brands, by the way, get their fair share of complaints from consumers writing to ConsumerAffairs.com.

Both Whirlpool and LG put out competing press releases claiming victory in the case. LG said "the court will now determine the scope of an injunction prohibiting Whirlpool from continuing to market its misting dryers as Steam Dryers."

Whirlpool responded by saying it "proved that its innovative steam dryers, from itsMarion, Ohiofactory, use steam to deliver the consumer benefits of wrinkle relaxation and odor reduction."

Not long ago thyroid cancer patients who received a dose of radiation spent a day or two in the hospital. That's no longer the case, and one member of Congress thinks that poses a public health hazard.

Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) points to a congressional analysis that he says backs up his point. It highlights the potential dangers to public health from patients who have been released from the hospital after being treated with radioactive materials for cancers and other diseases.

"Releasing radioactively 'hot' patients who may expose an unwitting public to potentially dangerous levels of radiation makes absolutely no sense," Markey said. "Yet that is exactly what the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's current policies allow."

Markey, Chairman of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, also sent a letter transmitting the analysis to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Greg Jaczko in advance of two meetings the NRC is having on the subject. In the letter, Markey calls on the NRC to revise its regulations to ensure that the public is protected against unnecessary exposure to radioactive patients.

1,000 subjects

The subcommittee's investigation, which drew from a survey of more than 1,000 thyroid cancer survivors' experiences, indicates that there is a strong likelihood that members of the public have been unwittingly exposed to radiation from patients who are discharged after being treated with radioisotopes.

The analysis found that these risks occurred because of weak NRC regulations, ineffective oversight of those who administer these medical treatments, and the absence of clear guidance and procedures to ensure that such exposures do not occur.

Prior to 1997, most treatments for thyroid cancer and other disorders would have occurred on an inpatient basis. Other countries have similar rules, not just for the projection of the patient but for those who might come in contact with the patient immediately following the treatment.

In 1997, NRC revised its regulations to allow for patients treated with radioactive materials whose bodies are emitting high levels of radiation to be sent home, even if they live with young children or pregnant women, who are most vulnerable to such exposures. Patients can also be sent to hotels for recovery, even though hotel workers or other hotel guests may be unwittingly exposed.

The subcommittee's survey collected about 1,000 responses in just over two weeks, Markey said.

According to the National Cancer Institute, 44,670 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in 2010, and other thyroid disorders are also treated with radioactive iodine.  The survey results indicate that:

Radioactive patients

Two class action lawsuits target Facebook and the largest maker of Facebook applications -- alleging that the companies breached consumers' privacy by illegally sharing their information with third parties, in violation of Facebook's own policies.

Both suits follow a Wall Street Journal article on Monday detailing a disturbing apparent data breach -- or, more accurately, "leak" -- of consumer information.

Specifically, the article found that many Facebook applications "have been ... providing access to people's names and, in some cases, their friends' names ... to dozens of advertising and Internet tracking companies."

According to the report, the applications -- commonly called "apps" -- provide consumers' "user ID numbers," which can in turn be used to find their names and, in certain cases, other identifying information. The policy is in direct violation of Facebook's rules, which provide that developers cannot "directly or indirectly transfer any data you receive from us to (or use such data in connection with) any ad network, ad exchange, data broker, or other advertising related toolset, even if a user consents to such transfer or use."

Scores of users affected

The issue affects tens of millions of consumers who use Facebook apps, even those who have enabled the maximum privacy controls on their profiles, the Journal found. Additionally, all ten of the site's most popular apps transmit the user IDs and three of the top ten -- including FarmVille -- also send information about users' friends, according to the report.

The Journal found that data from the apps is going to "at least 25 advertising and data firms, several of which build profiles of Internet users by tracking their online activities."

Once the report was released, it took less than 12 hours for the lawsuits to start flying.

Separate suits, similar allegations

One of the lawsuits, filed Monday in a San Francisco federal court, targets Zynga, which makes many of Facebook's popular games, including FarmVille, Mafia Wars and Texas HoldEm.

That suit, which names Nancy Walther Graf as the lead plaintiff, accuses Zynga of "illegally sharing [customer data] with advertisers and data brokers" for "substantial profit," and is brought on behalf of all registered Facebook users in the U.S. who registered with Zynga any time after October 18, 2006.

Meanwhile, a Rhode Island suit targets Facebook directly, contending that it is responsible for the data leaks. The Rhode Island suit was originally filed in June but has been updated with charges similar to those in the California action.

"This appears to be another example of an online company failing the American public with empty promises to respect individual privacy rights," Michael Aschenbrener, one of the California plaintiffs' attorneys, said in a statement.

In a statement, Facebook said the California complaint "is without merit and we intend to defend against it vigorously."

The allegations between the two suits include breach of contract and violations of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Stored Communications Act and the Computer Crime Law.

Facebook's been down this road before

Class action lawsuits alleging privacy violations are nothing new for Facebook. Most recently, in July, a Canadian law firm filed a suit taking issue with the website's late 2009 decision to change users' default privacy setting to "public," making scores of photos, friend lists, and other identifying information available to the world, even if the user had previously set stricter controls on her account. Users who wanted to return to the more stringent privacy settings had to go in and affirmatively change their account preferences.

And last November, both Facebook and Zynga were named in a suit brought by Facebook gamers who say they were scammed into giving up personal information in exchange for virtual "cash" that could be redeemed in Zynga-created games. All the users got, according to the suit, was a subscription to "a useless SMS service" -- and the monthly fees that go along with it.

And, perhaps most infamously, there was the Facebook Beacon disaster. Beacon, an advertising feature rolled out in November 2007, recorded users' activities on other websites, then relayed it back to their news feeds. Facebook agreed to shut Beacon down in September 2009 as part of the settlement of yet another class action.

The word "recall" probably ranks right up there with certain four-letter words at Toyota headquarters. The once-proud automaker has recalled millions of automakers and suffered untold damage to its once-pristine reputation as the result of numerous safety-related problems.

The latest is today's recall of about 740,000 vehicles because of the risk that a small amount of brake fluid could leak from the brake master cylinder.

The recalled models are the  2005 through 2006 Avalon, 2004 through 2006 Highlander (non-Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 vehicles sold in the United States.

The company said that the brake fluid used during vehicle assembly for vehicles sold in the United States contains polymers, which act as lubricants for certain brake system components.

If during vehicle maintenance, brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers or that contains an improper amount of polymers, a part of the internal rubber seal located at the end of the brake master cylinder piston may become dry and may curl during movement of the piston.

If this occurs, a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder into the brake booster, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.

If the brake warning lamp goes on and the vehicle continues to be driven without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline.

Owners of the involved vehicles will be notified by first class mail beginning in early November 2010. Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed one at no charge to the vehicle owners.

As is usual in safety recalls, owners of models not covered by the recall have complained of similar problems.

Take Jennifer of Casa Grande, Ariz. She was driving her Toyota Tacoma pickup recently as she approached another vehicle that had stopped for a stop sign.

"It appeared the brakes were working but not catching as fast as usual so I put extra pressure on the brake. Getting too close than I should be for a stop, I pushed the brake to the floor and my truck dipped a bit appearing to come to a stop but then kept rolling and hit the car in front of me," she said.

In addition to the U.S. recall, Toyota is recalling nearly 600,000 vehicles in Japan because of defective fuel pump wires and brake master cylinders. In August, Toyota recalled 1.1 million Corolla and Matrix models that it said were prone to stalling.

Besides the latest recalls, Toyota is still struggling to deal with the fall-out from earlier recalls dealing with sudden acceleration. Most recently, Allstate Insurance Co. sued Toyota seeking to recover more than $3 million that the insurer says it paid in claims for accidents linked to sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles.

ConsumerAffairs.com has received numerous reports of accidents and near-accidents involving unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles. One of the most recent comes from Donna of Paso Robles, Calif.

"I was driving into a parking space, I applied the brake, instead of stopping, the car accelerated, it went over a 7 inch curb, and into a Shell gas station, going through a wall and plate glass window. My foot was on the brake the whole time, Donna said. When I saw the vehicle in Truman Lewis's report of 10/07/2010 regarding Toyota it was almost identical to what happened to us."

Read more about Toyota.

Consumers continue to lose money from work-from-home scams that assist cyber criminals in moving stolen funds. Worse yet, due to their deliberate or unknowing participation in the scams, these individuals may face criminal charges.

Once recruited, however, rather than becoming an employee of a legitimate business, the consumer is actually a "mule" for cyber criminals who use the consumer's or other victim's accounts to steal and launder money. In addition, the consumer's own identity or account may be compromised by the cyber criminals.

Example of a work-from-home scheme:

• An individual applies for a position as a rebate or payments processor through an online job site or through an unsolicited email.

• As a new employee, the individual is asked to provide his/her bank account information to his/her employer or to establish a new account using information provided by the employer.

• Funds are deposited into the account that the employee is instructed to wire to a third (often international) account. The employee is instructed to deduct a percentage of the wired amount as their commission.

• However, rather than processing rebates or processing payments, the individual is actually participating in a criminal activity by laundering stolen funds through his/her own account or a newly established account.

This past February, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) coordinated with state law enforcement officials and other federal agencies to announce a sweeping crackdown on job and work-from-home fraud schemes fueled by the economic downturn. Individuals who are knowing or unknowing participants in this type of scheme could be prosecuted.

Protect yourself:

• Be wary of work-from-home opportunities. Research the legitimacy of the company through the Better Business Bureau (for US-based companies) or WHOIS/Domain Tools (for international companies) before providing personal or account information and/or agreeing to work for them. In addition, TrustedSource.org can help you identify companies that may be maliciously sending spam based on the volume of email sent from their Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. See also the FTC's recommendations.

• Be cautious about any opportunities offering the chance to work from home with very little work or prior experience. Remember: if it looks too good to be true, it usually is.

• Never pay for the privilege of working for an employer. Be suspicious of opportunities that require you to pay for things up front, such as supplies and other materials.

• Never give your bank account details to anyone unless you know and trust them.

• If you think you may be a victim of one of these scams, contact your financial institution immediately. Report any suspicious work-from-home offers or activities to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

For more information, visit:

• PhishBucket.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting job seekers from fraudulent job offers.

• OnGuardOnline.org. Sponsored by the FTC, this site provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.

• Better Business Bureau.

With unemployment topping 9.6% and seven million fewer jobs to go around, finding work these days is a grueling process. For many, it means changing careers, and moving to another state. But one thing Americans want more than anything else according to the polls is the ability to work.

Therefore, if the job market in your geographic location seems to have dried up, it may be time to broaden your net to include jobs in other states, even if means moving across the country.

To help you find those areas with the most jobs, Forbes magazine has come out with its 10 best states for jobs and businesses and the best state for jobs this year is Utah, whose economy has grown 3.5% annually over the past five years, which is faster than any other state except North Dakota, which just missed the top ten and was the eleventh best state for jobs.

Utah's economic growth is three-and-a-half times faster than the U.S. as a whole. While total employment has shrunk in America over the past five years, in Utah it increased 1.5% annually. Household incomes have gone up 5% annually, which is tops in the country and twice as fast as the national average.

Here's something other states may want to take note of, or at least those running for governor. Utah lowered its corporate tax rate from 7% to 5% in 2008, to the delight of businesses. The rate is now one of the lowest in the country. The regulatory climate is also pro-business, with the Pacific Research Institute rating Utah second-best in the regulatory component of its U.S. Economic Freedom Index.

Utah's other plus factors include energy costs at 35% below the national average; an educated labor force, with 90% of residents holding a high school diploma (and 29% a college degree); a great quality of life with low poverty rates; a healthy populous; and ample recreational opportunities. Utah boasts a triple-A debt rating from Moody's, S&P and Fitch. Earlier this year Forbes crowned Utah the country's most fiscally fit state government.

Companies have taken notice. Goldman Sachs is expanding its operations in Utah, and its Salt Lake City office is now the company's second-largest in North America. Adobe is creating 1,000 new jobs while Oracle and eBay are both building large data centers in Salt Lake City.

The Forbes Best States ranking measures six vital categories for businesses: costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, current economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life. It factors in 33 points of data to determine the ranks in the six main areas. Business costs, which include labor, energy and taxes, are weighted the most. It also relies on 10 data sources, with research firm Moody's as the most-utilized resource.

Last year's number one state, Virginia, is number 2 this year. Virginia still has a very favorable business climate, with an educated labor supply and solid economic growth. But Virginia's business costs for labor and energy have crept up, which allowed Utah to beat it. Rounding out the top five are No. 3 North Carolina, No. 4 Colorado and fifth-ranked Washington.

The bottom five of the top ten include: 6. Oregon, 7. Texas, 8. Georgia, 9. Nebraska, and 10. Kansas.

Don't rule out the entire Northeast. Judging by Forbes rankings, despite high business costs and crippling budget deficits. New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts moved up in the rankings this year compared to last year. Massachusetts made the biggest move of any state this year, climbing from No. 34 to No. 16.

Business costs in Massachusetts may be the highest in the country: 22% above the national average, but venture capital continues to pour into the state taking advantage of the bright minds at elite universities in and around Boston and Cambridge. VCs invested $2.9 billion in Massachusetts companies last year, second only to California.

Perhaps the least likely state to provide work this year is Maine, which replaced No. 49 Rhode Island at the bottom of our rankings. Growth prospects in Maine have deteriorated relative to the rest of the country because of a number of business closings the past three years.

If you're like me, the idea of doing home repairs is right up there with getting my teeth cleaned. I know the repairs have to be made to maintain the value of my house just as regular cleanings maintain the teeth that are still in my mouth. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.

The difference is that I go to a professional dentist for my teeth cleaning, and with home repairs, I try to do as much of that myself before calling in the expensive professionals. But what usually happens is that when I go to make a particular repair, I discover that I don't have the proper tools and end up having to call the carpenter, plumber or electrician. Each visit usually runs a minimum of $250.

So if this sounds familiar to you, here are some tips from a group of experts who claim you can buy all the tools you need to maintain your home for a total of $250. We're talking about tools you can use instead of having to pick up the phone or run to the hardware store. The $250 figure is the minimum and the group also offers some more expensive alternatives for those of you with a bigger budget.

This particular group was assembled by Bob Tedeschi, who wrote about them in The New York Times and includes Joe Ball, a vice president for construction operations for a home construction company, the Pulte Group; Ken Stone, director of the Hobby Shop, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); and Donna Shirey, the chairwoman of the National Association of Home Builders Re-modelers Division.

Here are the tools and supplies they recommend.

1. A hammer. But not just any hammer. They say buy a hammer with a hickory or ash handle, because the wood absorbs shock. If you use a steel-handled hammer for too long, your elbow will get sore. Also, the hammer should have a curved claw for pulling nails, not the straight claw. You'll want the hammer to have a smooth-face, not corrugated, so when you miss you don't permanently leave a crosshatch in the wood. The face should also be flat because nails hit with an angled or otherwise flawed surface are more likely to bend. As for cost, you can go with a $5 hickory-handle hammer from Sears, or if you want to spend more like $16 on Plumb's 16-ounce Premium Hickory Autograf curved claw hammer, go for it.

2. A screwdriver. The group recommends a multi-head screwdriver with two different size bits for slotted and Phillips screws, as well as Robertson (the square screws) and something called Torx bits. A ratcheted screwdriver is easier on the wrist, and a screwdriver that stores bits in the handle will save you from buying replacements. A good quality screwdriver will cost about $10. That's what you'll pay for the Stanley FatMax Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver.

3. A cordless drill. The going rate for a decent cordless drill is $50. However, for those with a bit (pardon the pun) more to spend, Mr. Ball, of Pulte Group, recommends a cordless hammer drill, which is four times as expensive as a standard drill but it opens up the ability of the tool and will last a lifetime. One suggestion is the DeWalt 1/2-inch, 18-volt Cordless Compact Hammer-drill kit, including battery and charger, for around $220.

4. A tape measure. Mr. Ball likes a one-inch-wide, 25-foot-long tape measure with a lock.

5. Pliers. Buy a standard pair and needle-nose. You may also want to add a pair of 12-inch slip-joint pliers, for when you need more torque or a wide mouth for pipes. The group also recommends something called Mole-Grip pliers, which are commonly known as Vise-Grips. According to Mr. Ball, they give you teeth and leverage.

6. Wrenches. Buy one adjustable wrench and a set of standard and metric wrenches — each with one closed, or "box," end and one open end. And a set of socket wrenches — metric and standard — also helps especially if you find yourself putting together furniture.

7. A level and a stud finder. They're often sold as a unit, but you may want to buy them separately if you like the feel and versatility of a two-foot-long level.

8. A foot-long wrecking bar is handy, especially one with a nicely tapered edge so you can slip it beneath existing wood.

9. Saw. Light carpentry jobs require a handsaw small enough to fit in your toolbox. Be sure it cuts on the pull stroke. That tends to be easier than cutting on the push stroke. One popular option is the Stanley FatMax Single-Edge Pull Saw for about $16. For more complicated carpentry, you may need a jig-saw. They're safer than circular saws plus they're fast, and they can cut straight or in curves. One recommendation is the Bosch JS470E 7-amp jigsaw with a top handle, for about $190. Another option is Bosch's 5-amp jigsaw, for around $125.

10. Toss in an assortment of screws, drywall fasteners and eight-penny nails, a small notebook, and a carpenter's pencil, and you're set. Total: around $10.

So, how did we do price-wise? Hammer-$5, Screwdriver-$10, Cordless drill $50, Tape Measure $3, Pliers-$16, Wrenches-$12, Level and stud finder-$8, Wrecking bar-$5, Saw-$10, Jigsaw-$125, Screws, nails, fasteners, notebook, pencil-$8. For a total of $252.

Americans will do anything for their pets. But many pet owners don't realize the things they do for their pets must change as their four-legged friends get older.

Kansas State University veterinarian Susan Nelson says there are many simple things pet owners can do to ease the aging process for their beloved cats and dogs.

So, what constitutes "old age" in cats and dogs? Turns out, it's not as simple as the old "add seven years" equation we grew up using.

The average ages vary for cats and dogs to be considered a senior pet, said Nelson, who is also an assistant professor of clinical services at K-State.

According to an age analogy chart by Fortney and Goldston, cats are considered senior from the ages of 8 to 11 years old -- the equivalent of 48 to 60 human years. When cats reach age 12 -- equal to 64 human years -- they are considered geriatric.

The aging process for dogs varies according to weight. Dogs between 0 and 20 pounds are considered senior at 8 years old -- or 50 years old in human years -- and geriatric at 11 years old -- 62 in human years. Dogs that weigh more than 120 pounds are senior at age 4 -- 49 human years -- and geriatric at 6 years old -- equal to 69 human years. Dogs whose weights lie between the two ends of the chart are adjusted accordingly.

"Aging pets are a lot like aging people with respect to diseases and senility issues," Nelson said, citing diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, periodontal disease and heart disease as some of the conditions that can afflict aging pets.

"Like people, routine exams and tests can help detect some of these problems earlier and make treatment more successful," Nelson said. "It's also important to work closely with your veterinarian, as many pets are on more than one type of medication as they age, just like humans."

Owners can prevent disease or increase longevity by helping their pets exercise, maintain a healthy weight and stay current on vaccines and heartworm prevention.

"Such actions obviously can't prevent all diseases, but when caught early, many diseases can be managed and extended good quality of life can be achieved," Nelson said.

"It is important to take pets in for a semiannual health exam and lab tests for early detection of problems," Nelson said. "Diseases such as systemic hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus are just a few that can occur at a relatively young age and often take owners by surprise. Urinary or fecal incontinence are other issues that may occur as your pet matures."

As pets age, their behavior can also change, Nelson said. They may have changes in appetite or activity, tend to sleep more, become easily disoriented or interact less with the family.

Pet owners may not expect some of their pets' behavioral changes, such as senility, phobias of thunderstorms or separation anxiety. Because senior pets can develop anxieties -- such as fear of loud noises, crowds and children -- pet owners should try to avoid those situations when possible and talk to their veterinarians about behavior modification and the possibility of behavior modifying medications if indicated.

To ease the aging process, avoid having pets run and jump because such activities are stressful on their joints. Walking or swimming are better alternatives for pets with osteoarthritis. Many joint supplements, pain medications and joint health diets are available to help osteoarthritis.

Owners also can provide a warm, quiet, soft place to sleep, soften food if painful teeth are a problem and change a pet's diet for specific diseases when prescribed by their veterinarian, Nelson said. Owners also can do simple helpful tasks, such as flipping yard lights on at night if a pet is having vision problems or moving a litter box for easier access if stairs are a problem.

Nelson said owners should visit with their veterinarian when they have any questions or concerns about their aging pets so they can learn the best ways to care for them. With some extra preventative care and awareness of their pets' needs, owners can provide a healthy and comfortable life for their aging friends.

"Lastly, give your senior pets lots of TLC -- tender, loving care," Nelson said.

Remember the good old days, when things like water, air and checking were free? Now you pay up to a dollar for a bottle of water, 50 cents for a few pounds of air pressure for your tires, and free checking, well, you might as well start saying goodbye to that too.

In fact, the cost of everyday banking is rising. My wife had to check her account yesterday at Wachovia to see who she had written a check to and the bank charged her $17 for that privilege.

As for those glory days when you could go into your friendly neighborhood branch bank and open a checking account for free? They're gone. Today, it's not uncommon to pay monthly chargers for each account, or be forced to maintain a particular level of balance along with a number of other conditions in order to keep costs down. If you want to use a teller for free, you can forget it. 

As usual, you can thank your federal government for passing a bunch of laws aimed at reforming the financial system that also ended up making it harder for banks to make money. So they're doing what every other business does when times are tough. They're passing the pain along to their customers and grabbing money where-ever they can.

Free checking? What, are you kidding?

Bank of America is the primary bank for half of all households in America. This week it said it was changing the way it does business to make up for what the government hath taken away.

If you open a new account at Bank of America today, you will pay $8.95 per month if you use a teller or want to receive a monthly statement on paper. Customers can still possibly get free banking but only if they do their banking online. However, many people are still afraid to use the Internet for financial transactions.

In defense of their actions, a Bank of America spokeswoman admitted something worth noting. She said "customers never had free checking accounts," adding that "they always paid for them in other ways such as penalty fees."

Bank of America isn't the only major bank charging fees for checking accounts. Many have already begun charging for paper statements. The average cost is around $7.50 a month.

According to the research firm Moebs Services, it is now up to the smaller Main Street banks and credit unions to use the disappearance of free checking at the major banks as away to attract customers.

So if you're looking for free checking, don't give up hope. That little community bank down the street might just be the answer. Just check their financials first to make sure they're not about to go out of business.

Identity theft continues to be the top complaint received by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and surveys by Javelin Strategy and Research show that identity fraud -- the unauthorized use of someone's personal information -- is on the rise.

With that in mind, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is releasing Nine Things to Check When Shopping for Identity Theft Services.

Many companies sell services that promise to "protect your identity" but, as CFA reported last year, the claims that some identity theft services make are exaggerated or misleading. It's not easy to tell from their Web sites and advertising exactly how these services work, how much they cost, or what protection or assistance they really offer.

"Identity theft services may be able to help you detect identity theft quicker than you could yourself, and some also offer to help resolve your identity theft problems, but no service can absolutely prevent your personal information from being stolen," said Susan Grant, CFA's Director of Consumer Protection. "It's important for consumers to know what to steer clear of when purchasing identity theft services."

ID theft do's and don't's

CFA's new tips are designed to help consumers look for identity theft services that follow good practices. They also provide links to resources where consumers can learn about how to reduce the potential for becoming identity theft victims and how to resolve identity theft problems on their own.

The tips were developed in consultation with CFA's ID Theft Service Best Practice Group, which includes companies that provide identity theft services, consumer organizations, and consumer agencies.

The group is working on recommendations for best practices for identity theft service providers, primarily focused on how identity theft services are promoted. CFA plans to release the best practices later this year.

What to check when shopping for identity theft services:

• Do the claims on the identity theft service's Web site or in its ads make you think the service will completely protect you against identity theft? If the answer is yes, steer clear! No one can absolutely protect your personal information from being stolen or fraudulently used, and identity theft service providers that follow good practices won't imply that they can.

• Does the identity theft service use scare tactics to try to get you to enroll? If the answer is yes, steer clear! Identity theft service providers that follow good practices won't exaggerate the likelihood of becoming a victim or the harm that identity theft causes.

• Does the identity theft service make basic information about the company easy to find on its Web site? If the answer is no, steer clear! Identity theft service providers that follow good practices will provide basic information such as the company name, the physical location of its headquarters, and how to contact it or its product distributor directly for answers to questions.

• If the service offers to monitor your personal information and alert you if someone may be fraudulently using it, is it clear what it monitors? If the answer is no, steer clear! Identity theft service providers that follow good practices will make it easy to find information on their Web sites and through their customer service representatives about what is monitored and how frequently.

• If the service offers to help identity theft victims, is it clear exactly what help it provides and who is eligible for it? If the answer is no, steer clear! This information can help you decide which service best meets your needs and what other steps you might want to take to protect yourself.

• Is the cost of the service provided before you are asked for your payment information? If the answer is no, steer clear! Identity theft service providers that follow good practices will make clear and complete information about the cost of their programs available before you are asked for your name, address, and payment information.

• Does the service have a clear, transparent privacy policy? If the answer is no, steer clear! Identity theft service providers that follow good practices post clear, transparent privacy policies on their Web sites and make that information available from their customer service representatives so that you can easily learn what types of personal information they collect, how they use that information, what types of information -- if any -- they share with others, what control you have over the collection and use of your personal information, and how your information is safeguarded.

• If the identity theft service offers insurance or a guarantee, is it clear what is covered and who is eligible? If the answer is no, steer clear! Identity theft service providers that follow good practices should make it easy to find information on their Web sites and through their customer service representatives about exactly what the insurance or guarantee does for you and in what situations.

Two new studies point to the importance of vitamin B12 for brain function, for old and young alike.

A new study appearing in the medical journal Neurology shows that vitamin B12 may protect against Alzheimer's disease, adding more evidence to the scientific debate about whether the vitamin is effective in reducing the risk of memory loss.

"Our findings show the need for further research on the role of vitamin B12 as a marker for identifying people who are at increased risk of Alzheimer's disease," said study author Babak Hooshmand, MD, MSc, with Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. "Low levels of vitamin B12 are surprisingly common in the elderly. However, the few studies that have investigated the usefulness of vitamin B12 supplements to reduce the risk of memory loss have had mixed results."

For the seven-year study, researchers took blood samples from 271 Finnish people age 65 to 79 who did not have dementia at the start of the study. During that time, 17 people developed Alzheimer's disease. Blood samples were tested for levels for homocysteine, an amino acid associated with vitamin B12, and for levels of the active portion of the vitamin, called holotranscobalamin. Too much homocysteine in the blood has been linked to negative effects on the brain, such as stroke. However, higher levels of vitamin B12 can lower homocysteine.

The study found that for each micromolar increase in the concentration of homocysteine, the risk of Alzheimer's disease increased by 16 percent, whereas each picomolar increase in concentration of the active form of vitamin B12 reduced risk by two percent.

The results stayed the same after taking into account other factors, such as age, gender, education, smoking status, blood pressure and body mass index. The addition of folate did not appear to raise or lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

"More research is needed to confirm these findings before vitamin B12 should be used solely as a supplement to help protect memory," said Hooshmand.

Autistic children

Meanwhile, researchers at The Children's Hospital ofPhiladelphia have found that autistic children with severely limited diets may be at risk for vision loss due to vitamin B12 deficiency.

The Children's Hospital study, which appears in the journalPediatrics,looked at three boys with autism who exhibited behaviors that indicated vision loss, such as groping for items or bumping into walls. Further evaluation and tests revealed optic nerve damage and low levels of B12.

The researchers administered a shot of intramuscular vitamin B12 and visual behavior improved modestly in each case after normal levels were reached. All three patients, ages 6, 7 and 13, ate almost no meat or dairy products, important sources of vitamin B12.

"To the best of our knowledge, these are the first three reported cases of vision loss related to a vitamin B12 deficiency related to poor diet in children with autism," saidStacy Pineles, M.D., lead author of the study. She conducted the research as a fellow at Children's Hospital and is now at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. "Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for vitamin deficiencies and questions about diet should be part of routine history-taking in this population."

There have been many associations between autism and feeding difficulties, with diet-related deficiencies causing such illnesses as rickets, scurvy and dry eyes. With such patients, the researchers said, parents should also be advised to seek evaluation by a pediatric ophthalmologist or neuro-ophthalmologist who can perform a careful examination to rule out optic nerve damage. 

"Children who refuse foods from animal sources, such as meat and dairy products, are specifically at a higher risk for vitamin B12 deficiency," saidGrant T. Liu, M.D., senior author of the study and a neuro-ophthalmologist at Children's Hospital. "In our experience, B12 deficiency optic neuropathy in autism is a recognizable, treatable, and at least partially reversible disorder."

Vitamin B12 can be found in fish, poultry and other meat products.

Among the steps it said it was taking are:

"This is a great step in our fight against prostitution, human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children," said Mississippi Attorney
General Jim Hood. "We're going to keep an eye on these sites and make sure they live up to their promises."