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FED INFO E-Newsletter
November/December 2009
From the Federal Citizen Information Center

This issue includes:

A doctor giving a shot to a little boy.H1N1 Vaccine Facts

Don’t let misinformation prevent you from getting the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine. The new Flu Myths and Facts section on flu.gov debunks some of the myths about the H1N1 virus and vaccine, and provides accurate information on vaccinations, the flu, and public health. Flu.gov also has a flu shot locator for finding H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine providers near you.

 

A drawing of a woman smiling and posing.New Truth in Advertising Rules

Starting Dec. 1, weight-loss ads may no longer feature people who’ve lost umpteen pounds along with the disclaimer “results not typical,” and bloggers may no longer review products without disclosing they’ve been paid to do so (if they have been.) Celebrity endorsers and companies who tout the findings of research they sponsored will also be held to stricter standards under new rules governing endorsements and testimonials from the Federal Trade Commission.

 

An angry man holding a phone.Robocall Relief

Businesses can no longer call you with robocalls—prerecorded telemarketing messages—without your written permission. If they do, they face fines of up to $16,000 per call. There are some exceptions, including messages that are purely informational, such as reminders about an appointment, and messages from some health care providers, banks, telephone carriers and charities.

 

A balance scale with coins on the left and a small house on the right.Reverse Mortgage Warnings

Seniors are being hit hard by the recession, and many are turning to reverse mortgages for much-needed cash. A reverse mortgage, available if you’re 62 or older, is a loan secured by your home that lets you receive payments from the lender—either over time or all at once—based on the value of your home at the time of the loan. If you are considering one, check out Reverse Mortgages: Are They Right for You? And beware unscrupulous lenders who are exploiting reverse mortgages to defraud senior citizens.

 

A mature woman talking on the phone.Preventing Medical ID Theft and Medicare Fraud

Protect your medical identity, your credit rating, taxpayer dollars and the future of Medicare. Learn how to stop Medicare fraud.

 

 

A mother cooking with her two daughters.Food Safety Round-up

Just in time for feasting season: Food Safety.gov combines information from all the federal agencies that deal with food safety in one convenient spot. Sign up for email alerts and RSS feeds on food recalls, find web pages and podcasts on holiday food safety, and more.

 

A man pumping gas into his car.Car Shopping?

In the market for a new or used car or truck? Don’t miss the 2010 Fuel Economy Guide to compare gas mileage and carbon footprints for vehicles you’re interested in.

 

 

A woman using her laptop.Skirting Scams on Social Networking Sites

IC3—the Internet Crime Complaint Center—has some advice for users of social networking sites trying to steer clear of spam, phishing schemes and other dangers.

 

 

A book titled 'New for Consumers'New For Consumers Releases

You can get useful and timely consumer tips by signing up for our weekly New for Consumers email releases. These releases available in English and Spanish, draw information from the publications listed in the Consumer Information Catalog as well as from our family of websites.

We send releases on topics such as:

  • Writing a complaint letter
  • Talking to your children about alcohol
  • Protecting yourself from bank overdraft fees
  • Lowering the cost of your auto insurance
  • Financial planning for young people, seniors and military families
  • And many other health, safety, family and money-related issues

From the Archive
 FEDINFO e-letters
Consumer Focus articles

Visit our family of websites: Pueblo.gsa.gov, USA.gov, GobiernoUSA.gov, ConsumerAction.gov, Consumidor.gov, Kids.gov, and GovGab.gov.  

Also find us at our social media links: Pueblo.gsa.gov on Facebook, USA.gov on Facebook, GobiernoUSA.gov on Facebook, Pueblo.gsa.gov on Twitter, USA.gov on Twitter, GobiernoUSA.gov on Twitter, GovGab.gov on Twitter, U.S. Government YouTube channel.

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