Consumer News From Pueblo

Don’t Fall Prey to Identity Thieves Over the Holidays

20 Nov 2009 19:30:22 GMT

Identity theft claimed 10 million victims in 2008, a 22 percent increase over 2007. Better Business Bureau warns that the holiday season provides many new opportunities for identity thieves to ply their trade and offers the following advice on how to keep your identity safe and secure both online and off. Read more...

Holiday Mail for Heroes to Deliver Greetings to U.S. Military Members and Veterans

19 Nov 2009 19:44:14 GMT

In this season of hope and giving, the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. have joined forces again to invite the public to "send a touch of home" to United States service members and veterans across the country and abroad through the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. Now in its third year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program provides Americans with the opportunity to extend holiday greetings and thanks to service members and veterans. Last year the program received more than 1.4 million cards for military men and women, their families and veterans. The public can participate in the campaign by sending holiday cards with personal messages to a special post office box from Monday, November 2 through Monday, December 7.

Preparing for a Safe and Easy Thanksgiving Dinner - One Day at a Time

17 Nov 2009 18:27:13 GMT

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner can be a wonderful experience, yet daunting for those planning it. The goal is to have a safe and delicious turkey dinner, and if planned one day at a time, it can be a fun and memorable experience. Read more...

Pennsylvania Firm Recalls Cream of Mushroom Soup Product Due to Mislabeling and an Undeclared Allergen

13 Nov 2009 18:58:57 GMT

Bay Valley Foods, LLC, a Pittsburgh, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 20,286 pounds of canned cream of mushroom soup because it was inadvertently mislabeled and may contain an undeclared allergen, egg. The soup products were produced on August 7, 2009, and were distributed to retail stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. The following product is subject to recall: Cases containing 24 10.5-ounce cans of incorrectly labeled "Meijer Cream of Mushroom Reduced Sodium Condensed Soup." The product is marked with "BEST BY 08 07 11" that can be found on the bottom of the can and "51 P" inkjetted on the top. The soups may contain "Meijer Chicken Noodle Reduced Sodium Soup."

Adventure Playsets Recall to Repair Backyard Swing Sets Due to Fall Hazard

9 Nov 2009 17:18:18 GMT

The plastic coated lumber on the horizontal ladder (monkey bar/swing beam) can weaken over time due to rotting of the whitewood (spruce, pine and fir species), resulting in a fall hazard. This recall involves wooden play sets with swings, slides and ladders. Each set has an overhead monkey bar ladder that acts as both the monkey bar and swing beam, and an end ladder coated with cranberry or green plastic. The instruction manual has the name "Adventure Playsets" and one of the following model numbers printed on the cover. The swing sets were sold at Walmart, Toys R Us, Academy Sports, Menards, and Mill stores nationwide, and online at Walmart.com, ToyRUs.com, Willygoat.com and through the DMSI catalog from January 2004 through December 2007 for between $300 and $600.

Survey Shows Consumers Misunderstand Gift Cards

6 Nov 2009 14:20:11 GMT

A consumer survey commissioned by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) revealed widespread misunderstanding of general purpose gift cards, also sometimes called bank or cash gift cards, and most of which are issued by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. Only 33 percent of a representative sample of 1004 adult Americans know how much these cards cost to purchase, and only 54 percent are aware that 'six to twelve months after purchase, some of these gift cards charge a monthly fee.'

Share the Experience: Official Federal Recreation Lands Photo Contest

4 Nov 2009 13:28:31 GMT

America's Federal Recreation Lands are special places that bring people together and leave visitors enriched. We invite you to get out and explore these places and share your experience by entering up to three photos into the Share the Experience Photo Contest.

New York Firm Recalls Fresh Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli Contamination

3 Nov 2009 12:46:06 GMT

Fairbank Farms, an Ashville, NY, establishment, is recalling approximately 545,699 pounds of fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The products were distributed by multiple retailers. Each package bears the establishment number 'EST. 492' inside the USDA mark of inspection or on the nutrition label. These products were packaged on September 15 and 16, 2009, and may have been labeled at the retail stores with a sell-by date from September 19 through 28, 2009.

Warning to Motorists: Fall Is Peak Season for Deer-Vehicle Collisions

30 Oct 2009 15:55:04 GMT

Cars and deer can be a lethal combination. Deer migration and mating season generally runs from October through December, and causes a dramatic increase in the movement of the deer population. As a result, more deer-vehicle collisions occur in this period than at any other time of year, so drivers need to be especially cautious

Postal Service Goes Mobile

30 Oct 2009 15:54:08 GMT

It’s a Post Office on your phone. Customer convenience and product access are the focus of expanding the most popular online services onto web-enabled mobile devices. Some of the most popular functions currently available on usps.com are now available on cell phones and other mobile devices. The new features include Track & Confirm, Post Office locator, and the most popular application, ZIP Code lookup. Any mobile user with web access will be able to log on to the Postal Service mobile site no matter where they are, without having to use a personal computer.

Idea Village Recalls Wireless Light Switches Due to Fire Hazard

29 Oct 2009 15:39:27 GMT

The light switch receiver, which fits into the wall outlet, can overheat and pose a fire hazard to consumers. The Handy Switch is a white plastic wireless remote light switch with model number KS-080 printed on the back of the receiver. On the front of the receiver is a blue electroluminescent nightlight.

2010 Fuel Economy Guide - Save Money While Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

29 Oct 2009 15:37:06 GMT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy unveiled the 2010 Fuel Economy Guide, which gives consumers important information about estimated fuel costs and mileage standards for model year 2010 vehicles. Fuel-efficient models come in all types and sizes, so consumers can save thousands of dollars over a vehicle’s lifetime without sacrificing performance. Model year 2010 fuel economy leaders include a wide range of hybrid models, from compact cars to sport-utility vehicles.

[Blair Expands Recall To All Women’s Chenille Apparel Due to Burn Hazard; Additional Reported Deaths Prompt Re-Announcement of Robe Recall Untitled]

28 Oct 2009 13:04:09 GMT

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Blair LLC, of Warren, Pa., are expanding Blair’s voluntary recall of women’s full length chenille robes to include additional chenille robes and three other chenille products all manufactured by A-One Textile & Towel. CPSC and Blair also are re- announcing the earlier recall of women’s robes. Some of these products fail to meet the federal flammability standard and present a risk of serious burns to consumers if the garments are exposed to an open flame. Since announcing the recall in April 2009, Blair has received nine reports of deaths allegedly due to the originally recalled robes catching fire. Blair has received one report on one of the additional garments catching fire; no injuries have been reported. Products were sold via Blair catalogs and Web site, and Blair stores in Warren, Pa., Grove City, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., from July, 2000, through April, 2007.

Coby Electronics Recalls Rechargeable Batteries Sold with Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Players Due to Fire Hazard

27 Oct 2009 18:31:29 GMT

The rechargeable batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers. The recall involves Coby DVD/CD/MP3 players with an 8 ½ inch screen and product number TF-DVD- 8501. The rechargeable batteries sold with the DVD players have serial numbers that begin with "HY." The serial number can be found on a white sticker affixed to the battery. "Coby" is printed on the front cover and the product number is on the bottom of the unit.

Five Tips to Make Your Halloween Safe

23 Oct 2009 14:41:09 GMT

Just because Halloween celebrates scary things doesn’t mean you want any safety scares of your own. With a little bit of planning and these five tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center, you can ensure your ghouls and goblins have a frightfully fun time this year.

Look up your local trick-or-treating time and rules. (See if yours is listed on the USA.gov Halloween page: http://go.usa.gov/l3m). Then plot out a map of safe neighborhoods for trick-or-treating. Let older children take the map with them if they’re trick-or-treating on their own.
Stick reflective tape on dark costumes—it will help drivers see you. And make sure your kids can see clearly. Face paint may work better than a mask when it comes to visibility. Read about applying face paint safely in the Federal Citizen Information Center’s FED-INFO Newsletter (http://go.usa.gov/l3p).
Picka perfect pumpkin for carving. It should be sturdy, not soft, with a flat bottom so it doesn’t topple over. If you’re worried about carving accidents, encourage your kids to paint creative faces on their pumpkins instead.
Consider using a glow stick or battery-powered lights instead of candles to light the way for trick-or-treating or in jack-o-lanterns, especially around little kids who could get burned or drapery that could catch fire.
Screen candy before your kids eat it. Toss out anything with opened or damaged wrappers and homemade treats, unless you know the giver personally.

For more tips on having a safe, healthy and fun Halloween, visit USA.gov’s Halloween page (http://go.usa.gov/l3m) or check out the tips from our GovGab bloggers (http://go.usa.gov/l3y) on how to make the most of this spooky day.

U.S. Supports Monaco's Proposal to List Atlantic Bluefin Tuna on International Trade Endangered Species List

16 Oct 2009 16:42:14 GMT

The United States has announced it will support a proposal submitted by the principality of Monaco to limit the excessive commercial fishing of the Atlantic bluefin tuna that has led to its precipitous decline in the last ten years.

New Labeling Initiative Shows Consumers What's in Their Cleaning Products

13 Oct 2009 15:20:43 GMT

The Soap and Detergent Association has unveiled a new online fact sheet that briefs consumers on an industry initiative that will provide more information than ever before on cleaning products and their ingredients. The fact sheet summarizes the new initiative, which creates a uniform system for providing ingredient information to consumers in a meaningful and easy-to-understand way. Read more...

Teeth Whitening Products Sold Online Wipe Smile off Consumers’ Faces

9 Oct 2009 18:11:09 GMT

Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be extremely wary of pervasive online ads offering the promise of a whiter, brighter smile. BBB has received a recent onslaught of complaints from consumers who thought they were signing up for a free trial of teeth whitening products but were repeatedly billed for products and services they didn’t want.

Trove of Hotmail Passwords Posted Online

7 Oct 2009 19:43:44 GMT

If you use Microsoft's free Hotmail service, it may be time to change your password: Microsoft said that several thousand Hotmail account credentials were posted online. Read more...

Scam Alert: 'Energy-Saving' Schemes

1 Oct 2009 18:14:51 GMT

With billions in stimulus money being released for green energy programs, and millions of Americans eager to help the environment, scammers are trying to cash in. Among their ploys: scammers saying any energy efficient home improvement qualifies for a tax credit, scammers charging unnecessary paperwork fees, scammers posing as a utility company employee, a scammer trying to sell you pricey gadgets, and scammers claiming to be contractors just to name a few.

Candy and Fruit Flavored Cigarettes Now Illegal in United States

29 Sep 2009 20:41:49 GMT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today a ban on cigarettes with flavors characterizing fruit, candy, or clove. The ban, authorized by the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, is part of a national effort by the FDA to reduce smoking in America.

Children’s Animal Masks and Pendants Recalled by Team Work Trading Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

24 Sep 2009 17:08:08 GMT

The recalled children’s animal masks and pendants contain high levels of lead. This recall involves a children’s animal mask and four styles of metal pendants. The mask resembles the face of a cat. The pendants have various animated symbols including a dog tag with fire symbol (Bleach), knife and lion symbol (Final Fantasy), Mickey Mouse symbol (Kingdom of Hearts), and a burning sun symbol (Naruto). The pendants were sold with silver-colored chains.

FDA Approves Vaccines for 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus

18 Sep 2009 16:30:50 GMT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The vaccines will be distributed nationally after the initial lots become available, which is expected within the next four weeks. People with severe or life-threatening allergies to chicken eggs, or to any other substance in the vaccine, should not be vaccinated.

USDA and HHS Unveil New Food Safety Consumer Web Site

16 Sep 2009 19:25:11 GMT

USDA and HHS unveiled a new consumer Web site at www.foodsafety.gov. The site is designed to help consumers and families get all the latest information on food safety and food recalls in one convenient place. The new site features information from all the agencies across the federal government that deal with critical food and food safety information, including preventive tips about how to handle food safely, alerts on life-saving food recalls, and the latest news from the key agencies. www.foodsafety.gov provides consumers with one easy place to sign up to receive email and RSS alerts on recalled or potentially unsafe food, as well as get information from the top scientific experts across the government on food safety

Smithsonian Journeys and CET Offer Study Abroad Program for High School Students in Summer 2010

15 Sep 2009 17:33:58 GMT

Smithsonian Journeys, renowned for top-quality educational travel for 40 years, and CET Academic Programs, known for its excellent college study abroad programs, introduce a new international language-immersion program created specifically for high school students.

Before you buy -- tips for making smart consumer choices

3 Sep 2009 16:13:47 GMT

Being a smart consumer in a world with so many products and services can be somewhat daunting. With so many options available, it is easy to get overwhelmed with major purchase decisions- from the initial research, visiting stores to look at actual products, and then deciding which item to purchase, there are a lot of factors to consider.

BBB Advice on the Basics of Creating an Estate Plan

1 Sep 2009 17:59:06 GMT

Estate planning isn’t only for the wealthy, nor is it a topic people enjoy thinking about. However, Better Business Bureau advises consumers that if they own something of value they would like to pass on to family or loved ones at their death, they should create an estate plan.

Educate Yourself Before Buying Extended Warranty

26 Aug 2009 18:37:07 GMT

Manufacturers and retailers often suggest that paying extra for an extended warranty is buying peace of mind. But many consumer experts and shoppers say that's certainly not always the case. Read on for four things to remember about extended warranties and service contracts.

Watch out for Cash for Clunkers Scams

20 Aug 2009 21:16:37 GMT

In some cases dealers are requiring buyers to sign contracts obligating them to repay the program's $3,500 or $4,500 rebate if the government denies the claim -- despite a federal advisory stating that customers are not required to sign such agreements.

Social Networking Sites: A Parent's Guide

19 Aug 2009 14:39:01 GMT

The guide urges parents and kids to talk about the risks involved in using social networking sites and offers tips for using them safely. Includes resources for more information.

Wii™ Battery Recharge Stations Recalled by Griffin International Due to Burn and Fire Hazards

14 Aug 2009 18:18:53 GMT

The battery pack can overheat, posing a burn or fire hazard to the consumer. The Wii 4-Dock Recharge Station includes a white docking station with four recharge stations and a four rechargeable battery pack. Brand names are on the front of the packaging and the model numbers, Psyclone (PSE6501) and React (RT530), can be found on the bottom side of the product.

Off-Roading With Safety

13 Aug 2009 17:22:34 GMT

Summer is here and that means off-road riding is in high season in many communities. As side-by-side recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) continue to gain in popularity, so does the number of reports to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission of injuries and deaths involving these vehicles. Even though ROVs have a roll cage and seat belts, CPSC urges all riders and passengers to remain vigilant about safety before hitting the trails and while off-roading.

Ten Tips to Trim Car Costs

7 Aug 2009 16:33:17 GMT

With gas prices zooming up and down like a roller coaster and financial cutbacks continuing, many drivers are looking for ways to save.

Travel Scams to Avoid

5 Aug 2009 15:25:46 GMT

How to avoid resort fees, ID theft, and more.

Boat Owners Need Proper Insurance Protection Prior to Setting Sail

31 Jul 2009 17:29:03 GMT

With the summer season in full swing, recreational boat owners need to assess whether they have adequate insurance coverage before hitting the high seas. Standard boat policies typically cover damages resulting from a collision, fire or lightning.

Five Tax Facts About Summertime Child Care Expenses

30 Jul 2009 14:05:30 GMT

Many parents who work or are looking for work must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age during the school vacation. The Child and Dependent Care Credit is available for expenses incurred during the lazy hazy days of summer and throughout the rest of the year.

National Consumers League Warns Senate of Recession-Fueled Fraud

24 Jul 2009 17:00:53 GMT

The National Consumers League (NCL) said that frauds linked to the bad economy are on the rise. NCL warned that consumers’ thinly-stretched pocketbooks have increased their vulnerability to fraudsters offering promises of extra income. The consumer group warned that nearly one in three consumers could be at risk for fraudulent work-at-home schemes and that fake check complaints involving phony sweepstakes and bogus "mystery shopper" jobs continue to increase.

Kolcraft Recalls 1 Million Play Yards Due to Fall Hazard

23 Jul 2009 18:07:59 GMT

The play yard’s side rail can fail to latch properly and when a child pushes against the rail it can unlatch unexpectedly, posing a fall hazard to children. This recall involves the Kolcraft Travelin’ Tot play yards, as well as other similar play yards manufactured for Carter’s, Sesame Street, Jeep, Contours, Care Bare and Eric Carle, with model numbers listed below.

Katrina/Rita Transitional Assistance Program Set to Close Out in August

23 Jul 2009 18:04:36 GMT

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is urging families still receiving Katrina/Rita transitional housing assistance to contact HUD to ensure that they are considered for rental vouchers, which are not time limited. A toll-free number, 1-800-955-2232, has been set up to make the process as easy as possible.

CPSC Urges Consumers to Check Their Homes for Numerous Simplicity Nursery Product Recalls

22 Jul 2009 20:17:55 GMT

SFCA Inc., the Reading, Pa.-based company that purchased the assets of juvenile product manufacturer Simplicity Inc. after foreclosure, appears to no longer be conducting day to day operations. SFCA Inc. is no longer answering phone calls, responding to e-mails from consumers, or providing repair kits to fix hundreds of thousands of defective cribs. At least 13 children have tragically died in recalled Simplicity cribs and bassinets.

BBB Warns Against Twitter Money-Making Schemes

20 Jul 2009 19:25:26 GMT

Through Tweets, e-mail and web sites, job hunters are being told that they can make lots of money from the comfort of home using Twitter and Better Business Bureau warns that the large print for such offers may promise big returns but the fine print can cost them every month.

National Parks Offer Free Admission this Weekend

17 Jul 2009 17:37:42 GMT

A walk in the park is free this weekend! Everyone is invited to national parks across the country for the second of three free admission summer weekends. All 391 national parks will offer free admission this Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19, and again on August 15-16.

U.S. Education Department Announces Relief for Federal Student Loan Borrowers

8 Jul 2009 16:23:16 GMT

Starting July 1, a new repayment option is available that makes monthly payments more affordable for Americans with heavy federal student loan burdens. The new Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan protects borrowers by linking payments to income and family size.

Online Auction Fraud: Don't Let It Happen To You

6 Jul 2009 18:24:38 GMT

Computers, sports memorabilia, rare coins, designer fashions, and even cars. These are just a few of the items offered for sale every day on legitimate online auction sites. They’re also just a small sample of the items used to lure unsuspecting victims into online auction fraud schemes.

Use Caution When Buying Michael Jackson Memorabilia

2 Jul 2009 19:09:29 GMT

Immediately following the announcement of Michael Jackson’s sudden death, enterprising individuals began selling memorabilia online to take advantage of the increased demand. Better Business Bureau warns that the value of most memorabilia and commemorative items being sold is sentimental and the currently inflated prices for many items will drop over time.

Aqua-Leisure Industries Recalls Inflatable Baby Floats Due to Drowning Hazard

2 Jul 2009 18:28:25 GMT

The leg straps in the seat of the float can tear, causing children to unexpectedly fall into or under the water, posing a risk of drowning. The recalled inflatable baby floats were sold in a variety of styles and colors.

Keeping food safe

30 Jun 2009 14:45:28 GMT

Learn how Listeria can grow on ready-to-eat foods, even if you keep them in the fridge

National Kick-Off of the Department of Education's Summer Reading Initiative: "Read to the Top!"

29 Jun 2009 17:57:31 GMT

The Education Department's summer reading campaign--"Read to the Top!" began on June 23rd. The initiative is in response to President Obama's "United We Serve" national volunteer campaign that calls for all Americans to serve in their communities over the summer.

What to do When You Can't Pay a Student Loan

24 Jun 2009 20:05:47 GMT

The jobless economy is taking a toll on a growing number of college grads who are behind on their student loans. Nearly 7 percent of student loans for fiscal year 2007 are expected to default, involving more than 231,000 borrowers, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

First Drug to Treat Cancer in Dogs Approved

11 Jun 2009 19:35:01 GMT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of Palladia (toceranib phosphate), the first drug developed specifically for the treatment of cancer in dogs. Palladia is approved to treat canine cutaneous (skin-based) mast cell tumors, a type of cancer responsible for about 1 out of 5 cases of canine skin tumors.

National Park Service Will Waive Fees on Three Summer Weekends to Increase Tourism, Boost Economy

11 Jun 2009 19:35:33 GMT

The Department of the Interior announced that the National Park Service will offer three fee-free weekends this summer to encourage Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit these national treasures.

Good Credit Score Not Good Enough Anymore

11 Jun 2009 19:37:16 GMT

With historically low rates, many homeowners are watching closely for the right time to refinance their mortgages. Those with good credit may well recall being showered with praise by a mortgage broker during the initial purchase for that solid credit score.That was then. This is now.