News in March 2011

Our Time tries to raise awareness of youth unemployment....

Google Adds Its Version of the 'Like' Button. Like a search result? Give it a plus-one...

Here is what's on consumer's minds today: Kohler, US Bank, Delta, Dell, Print out your statements, There are limits to first class perks and a benefit of r...

Feds: Google's Buzz Roll-Out Violated Its Own Privacy Policy. Company agrees to 20 years of privacy audits, promises to build tougher privacy protections...

An FDA panel of experts is investigating possible links between food coloring and behavioral issues....

50-State Effort to Write Down Troubled Mortgages Starts to Crumble. Four attorneys general said reducing mortgage principal presents a "moral hazard"...

Toyota Dealers Warned of Spare Parts Shortage. Latest complication of the Japan earthquake...

Here is what's on consumer's minds today: Mattresses, Scams, Blue Hippo, You won! While we’re on the subject of scams and Case of the blues....

Robo-Signing Returns - This Time to Vex Big Debt Collector. Minnesota charges Midland Funding used robo-signed affidavits to collect old debts...

New York to Probe AT&T/T-Mobile Deal. Acquisition would create a “duopoly” that would dominate the airwaves ...

Toys “R” Us to Pay $1.3 Million for Violating FTC Order. Company allegedly put the arm on suppliers to keep toy prices high...

X-Hero, Male Enhancer Supplements Recalled Supplements are unapproved drugs, could cause harmful reactions...

Can inflation be measured in more than just rising prices?...

Wells Fargo Ponies Up, Joins No-Debit-Card-Perks Posse. Banks are circling the wagons, determined to fight off fee foes....

Here are seven obvious signs an email was sent by a scammer....

Here is what's on consumer's minds today: CitiBank, Comcast, Lowes, A phone call would have been nice and Just take your chances....

Counterfeiting is a growing problem for both businesses and consumers....

Suit Blames Paxil for Birth Defects. Louisiana couple argues depression drug is "unreasonably dangerous" to pregnant women....

Walnuts are among the highest foods in antioxidants, according to research presented at the American Chemical Society national meeting....

GAO: Consumer Credit Protection Products Need Oversight. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will take a closer look...

Southwest Expands NYC-Area Service Low-fare carrier offering 18 flights from Newark by June...

The proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile must first pass scrutiny by Washington regulators....

Here is what's on consumer's minds today: Barclay's Bank, Alamo, Kohl's, Remember the Alamo, Math problem and Hard to escape....

Mazda Suspends U.S. Dealer Orders for Most Models. Auto industry may have lost production of more than 300,000 cars because of Japan quake....

Season Ticketholder Sues Cleveland Browns, NFL. Fan wants an injunction blocking the team owners' player lock-out....

FDA Approves New Drug to Treat Advanced Melanoma. Drug lengthened survival time for skin cancer patients tested ...

Here is what's on consumer's minds today: Adobe, Frigidaire, Magic Jack, New isn't necessarily better, There's no magic to it and Let me speak to Flo....

Campaign Targets 'Grandparent Scam,' Other Imposter Scams. Victims lose thousands of dollars by responding to phony calls for help...

Girls Gone Wild Founder Needs a Lawyer ... Fast. Joe Francis has yet another court date but no lawyer....

Researchers say men who wear their cell phone on their belt may be weakening their hip bone...

A Vanderbilt University study finds cigarettes with menthol no more harmful than regular cigarettes....

Consumerinfo.com's 'Credit Scores' are Misrepresented, Suit Charges...

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has selected 74 model vehicles for its 2011 Top Safety Pick....

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to avoid products with exaggerated weight loss claims...

Toyota, Honda Extend Factory Shutdowns. Earthquake aftermath cuts flow of popular models to U.S. ...

If a timeshare sale deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is....

Oregon Law Firm Shut Down for Unlawful Debt Collection Practices. Attorneys are increasingly specializing in debt collection, mortgage modification...

Mortgage Modification Scams Still on the Rise. A single California agency reports conducting 4,500 investigations....

Cereal Mystery Solved: Kellogg Sues Manufacturer of Box Liners. Company had to recall four cereal brands last year because of a bad smell....

Second Infant Death Blamed On Delta Enterprise "Safety Peg" Drop-Side CribMissing Safety Pegs Create Risk of Entrapment and Suffocation...

Here is what's on consumer's minds today: Unauthorized Charges, Toothpaste Allergy, Identity Theft, More mystery charges, No cavities and Too much informat...

Walmart Tries to Get Back On Message. But what once worked well may not work as well anymore...

The Federal Reserve has tightened some of the new Credit Card rules covering banks....

Judge OKs Walgreens Mouthwash Lawsuit. Suit challenges company's claims for its Full Action mouthwash....

AT&T has introduced two new smartphone models....

Despite what you might think, it's men who are keeping plastic surgeons busy these days....

Here is what's on consumer's minds today: Whirlpool, AT&T, Cuisinart, Doesn't add up, Really hot coffee, Elusive degree and complaints....

AT&T Buys T-Mobile, Leaving Sprint a Weak Third. $39 billion deal was a bolt from the blue; AT&T promises expanded 4G LTE service....

Payday Loan Marketers Pay $800,000 to Settle FTC Charges Swish Marketing allegedly tricked consumers into buying prepaid debit cards...

Taxpayers are down to the last month before they must submit their 2010 tax return....

No Escape From Medicare, Judge Rules. Retirees would have to give up Social Security and repay benefits to opt out of Medicare....

Continental Recalls Tires on Ford F-250/F-350 Trucks Tread separation could cause a crash...

Kashi Recalls Southwest Style Chicken Products. Packages may be mislabeled and may contain eggs, an allergen....

Gasoline prices finally leveled off this week after weeks of increases....

JD Power & Associates finds overall improvement in dependability among 2008 model cars....

Obama Administration Vows to Protect Privacy. Online tracking by advertisers a clear and present danger to the Union?...

Ear Wax Lawsuit Heats Up, Heads for Trial Hot wax from ear candle burned woman's ear drum...

Large banks may be eyeing ATM Fees as a way to recover lost revenue....

Payday Loan Industry Floods Congress with Funds. Loan industry expects a healthy return on its investment....

Visa announces it will allow consumers to use their credit cards to pay each other....

FDA Warns of Dangers in 'Black Ant' Contains undeclared drug ingredient...

U.S. Sues Lawn Darts Company ; Says Darts are Hazardous...

More Americans Losing Their Health Benefits. The Great Recession has not only taken a toll on jobs, but health coverage too....

Consumers looking for ways to cut spending should take advantage of $4 generic drug prescriptions...

Verizon Wireless loses initial bid to shut down company accused of "cramming."...

Despite falling oil prices, gasoline prices still seem to be going up....

Verizon is launching the first smartphone designed to run on its faster 4G LTE network....

Sen. Al Franken warns corporations will soon take over the Internet....

Study Finds Little Action Taken Against Dangerous Doctors State medical boards either lack information or lack incentive to act ...

Japan Disaster Imperils Seafood Supply. Japanese imports make up a big part of Americans' seafood diet....

Here is what's on consumer's minds today: Gift Cards, Rebates, Cell Phones, Free delivery rebate and Bad impression? Use the warranty....

Homeowners who are underwater, and who have adjustable rate mortgages, are prime targets of refinancing scams....

Radiation Fears Cause Run on Potassium Iodide Health officials say Americans not at risk from Japanese nuclear reactors...

Some tips for saving money each month on food and gasoline....

Consumers are still getting burned by free trial offers for acai berry supplements...

The people that operate public transportation are worried about an impending crush of passengers....

Here is what's on consumer's minds today: Bank Of America, Enterprise, Whirlpool, It's your word against theirs and Shrinking lifespan....

Morgan Stanley Investigated for Unlawful Military Foreclosures. It's the latest instance of lenders disregarding laws protecting active-duty military....

FTC Finalizes Settlement with Twitter Social networking site was accused of deceiving consumers, endangering their privacy ...

American Suzuki Recalls KingQuad ATVsFuel tanks can leak...

Amazon Cuts Illinois Loose, Prepares to Take On California. Online giant gives no quarter in its opposition to collecting sales tax....

A new law got rid of overdraft fees, but consumers are facing a new set of fees....

Owning a dog might be a prescription for a healthier, more active lifestyle....

Video: A Fix For The Samsung TV Power Problem...

FDA Warns Sugar Substitute Can Be Harmful to Dogs Xylitol used in many over-the-counter drugs, sprays, chewing gum ...

Osteoporosis Drug Reclast Linked to Kidney Failure. Public Citizen wants FDA to warn physicians, consumers....

A ConsumerAffairs.com reader offers a tip on avoiding unauthorized credit card charges....

Video: Aftermath Of A Baking Dish Explosion. Glass bakeware can make quite a mess if it shatters....

New Jersey Charges 11 Unlicensed 'Mortgage Loan Modification' Providers. States seeks penalties and restitution for consumers who paid for help....

States Reach Landmark $68.5 Million Settlement With AstraZeneca Settlement comes after three-year investigation into marketing of Seroquel ...

McCain, Kerry Planning 'Online Privacy Bill of Rights' Bipartisan measure would regulate online tracking...

Lawsuit Says Sprint Overcharging For Its 'Premium Data' Service. Customers whose contracts provide for "unlimited" data are being charged $10 extra per mon...

Vertrue, the company behind many of those mystery charges on credit cards, will pay $30 million to Iowa consumers....

Despite offers of "free" FICO scores, be prepared to pay for that information....

Quik Cash Agrees to Pay Restitution to Arizona Consumers. Payday loan company deprived customers of their day in court....

Raw Milk May Be Natural, But It's Naturally a Risk FDA strongly advises against drinking non-pasteurized milk...

Video: American Consumers Turning Back to Credit Cards. It's good for the economy but can be a trap for individual consumers....

Skype Skips Into AdLand Internet telephony service adds ads to its nearly-free service...

Study: Teens More Prone to Texting and Driving...

New York has secured an agreement from a debt settlement firm to refund $1.1 million....

DirecTV Subscribers Still Face Unexplained Porn Charges. Bills sent to collections if customers don't agree to pay ....

Grandparent Scam Finding New Victims Call from distressed grandchild turns out to be fake after money is wired...

Skippy Peanut Butter Recalled in 16 States. May be contaminated with Salmonella....

Android has become the number one smartphone operating system, according to Nielsen....

FDA Expands Use of Lap-Band for Weight Loss. Controversial procedure is not without adverse reactions, poor outcomes....

FDA Warns That Anti-Convulsant Medication May Cause Birth Defects. Increased risk of cleft lip and palate accompany Topamax use...

Senate Bill Would Make It Illegal to Rent Recalled Cars...

Bing Launches a Daily Deals Section 200,000 offers in 14,000 cities and towns, Bing claims...

Debt Settlement, Credit Issues Top List of Consumer Complaints in Illinois Con artists take advantage of tough times to make a buck...

Researchers say your risk of Alzheimer's is much higher if your mother had the disease....

New York Times Thinks It Can Take on Groupon. Times plans TimesLimited, an "upscale" daily deals program....

Nexium, Prilosec May Cause Low Magnesium Levels, FDA Warns Over-the-counter low-dosage versions are probably safe, however...

Postal Service Faces Financial Crisis, GAO WarnsGovernment watchdog puts post office on its high-risk list...

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has formally introduced the iPad2....

PNC Says It Will Maintain Free Basic Checking. Most big banks are raising fees and creating new ones but PNC says it will hold the line....

FDA Plans to Remove Unsafe Drugs from the Market...

States Eye Revenues from Online Gambling. Congress prohibits it but states think may have a loophole....

Divorce lawyers says Facebook cited as evidence in 66 percent of cases....

End Times for Tax Refund Anticipation Loans New regulations may at last spell the end of “instant refund” loans...

Supreme Court: AT&T Is Not a Person. But Court urges the company not to take it personally...

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says consumers should be wary of health care credit cards....

Class Action Challeges Webloyalty Negative Option Scheme. Customers conned into paying $12 a month for nothing, suit charges....

More research suggests drinking too many sugary beverages isn't good for you....