A toy that was recalled in March of 2006 after killing a small boy and seriously injuring 2 dozen others is still for sale at a California Walmart according to Reader Kevin.
Government Policy
NY Sues Dell For So-Called "Award-Winning Service"
By 5.16.07
The computer manufacturer promises “award-winning service” available “24 hours a day, seven days a week,” but customers have to navigate a labyrinth to get any help. Dell also led customers to think they qualified for zero percent financing when very few people did, and some customers ended up paying 20% on the computer, the suit says.
Vonage Is Like, "We Are Totally Working Around Those Verizon Patents, OK?"
By 5.16.07
We’re not sure if it’s hip to be on Team Vonage, but to hell with it. We are. At least, we’d like them to stay in business so they can worry about things like improving their crap customer service and not “Oh God, are we going to be able to feed Tiny Tim this Christmas?” We’re pro-capitalism like that. Anyhow, we’re pleased to announce that Vonage claims to be able to work around Verizon’s parents.
Baskin-Robbins Fined $500,000 For Shorting "Pints" Of Ice Cream
By 5.15.07
Baskin-Robbins has settled a consumer protection lawsuit with the San Diego Attorney General after it was discovered that 83% of their “hand packed pints” of ice cream were about 4 oz short of being an actual pint. Whoops.
Should "Attempted Copyright Infringement" Be A Criminal Offense?
By 5.15.07
Our good friends Howard Berman and Lamar Smith, (you’ll remember them as the ones who took lots and lots of money from the RIAA as well as the friends and families of various record company and entertainment executives) are all for it, according to CNET:
We are reviewing (the attorney general’s) proposal. Any plan to stop IP theft will benefit the economy and the American worker,” said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, who’s the top Republican on the House Judiciary committee. “I applaud the attorney general for recognizing the need to protect intellectual property.”
Berman’s office said they couldn’t comment because they were busy drafting their own version of the legislation.
Coca-Cola Settles Benzene Lawsuit
By 5.15.07
Benzene can form in soft drinks containing vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. Scientists say factors such as heat or light exposure can trigger a reaction that forms benzene in the beverages.
Ebay Scam: People Still Trying To Sell "Pictures" Of Things
By 5.15.07
Seller “awesome_electronics” (feedback zero) is selling “pictures” of items. Get it. It’s just a picture.. Ha, ha, ha. From ebay:
You are Bidding on a picture of a Apple iPod Video Black 30 gb that is BRAND New In BOX. As you can see in the picture it has never been opened. I Only Ship to the continental United States. I do not ship to PO Boxs. This is an as is sale There will be no returns. Payment is due within 3 days of sale ending. Thank you for looking at my sale and Happy Bidding!
We guess this is what happens when 12 year olds think of scams to pull on the internet. Sadly, according to BoingBoing at least one person fell for it before their post drove the bidding up over $100,000 (for a picture of a HAM radio.) Hardy har har. —MEGHANN MARCO
Make Debt Collectors Prove They Own What They Say You Owe
By 5.15.07
We’ve mentioned how if you’re being pursued by a debt collector, you need to make them prove that you owe the debt. Alabama Consumer Law Blog notes the other half, that you need to make them prove that it is they they actually own the debt, what is called having “standing.”
TSA Donates Potentially Explosive Liquids To "A Local Homeless Shelter"
By 5.14.07
We imagine that TSA agent has fun sitting around thinking of various things to tell people when they ask what will be done with whatever gooey menace is being confiscated. Hey, at least they didn’t sell her lotion on eBay. —MEGHANN MARCO
Can't Advertise Milk As Weight-Loss Aid, FTC Says
By 5.14.07
In response to FTC pressure, milk makers say they will stop advertising that drinking milk leads to weight loss.
E. Coli Prompts Beef Recall in Eight States
By 5.13.07
PM Beef Holdings is recalling 117,500 pounds of beef that may be tainted with E. coli. The tainted beef has already landed three Minnesotans in the hospital, and now threatens residents in eight states.
“Because these products later became ground beef sold under many different retail brand names, consumers should check with their local retailer to determine whether they may have purchased any of the products subject to recall,” the USDA said.
The USDA is working overtime to figure out who received the tainted beef, which was prepared on March 27. The beef has already been traced to Minnesota, Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. To thwart E. coli, heat your meat to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER
Get A Free Mother's Day Card From The Federal Trade Commission
By 5.12.07
Keep your card in a safe place at home – not in your wallet or purse.
Chrysler Recalls 400,000 Minivans With Corroded Airbag Sensors
By 5.12.07
Chrysler is recalling 400,000 Dodge Caravans and Chrysler Town & Country minivans over concerns that road salt may corrode sensors, preventing air bags from properly deploying. Chrysler told the government, “brass brushings on the sensors could corrode and crack on the front air bags, allowing water to enter the sensor and causing it to fail.” Were that to happen, the air bag warning light would illuminate, meaning you should try really hard not to crash.
Deadly Recalled Toy Still Available At Walmart, Target, Kohl's And More
By 5.11.07
Magnetic toys that killed one boy and injured more than 2 dozen others are still available for sale in many Illinois stores according to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. The attorney general’s office found the recalled toys at several stores all over the state, and a Chicago Tribune reporter was able to purchase the toys Wal-Mart, Target and Big Lots stores in the northwest suburbs.
Panopticon Of CPSC Hazardous Product Illustrations
By 5.11.07
We find ourselves oddly captivated by this gallery of product warnings we unearthed on the Consumer Product Safety Commission site.
Wired Interview With Mark Klein, AT&T Spying Whistleblower
By 5.10.07
Wired has an informative, deeply terrifying, interview with Mark Klein the whistleblower who outed AT&T for spying for the NSA.
WN: How many people worked in or on that room?
Evenflo Recalls 450,000 Car Seats Due To Fall Hazard
By 5.10.07
Infant Car Seat/Carrier you should immediately stop using the product as a carrier for your baby, because the handle could unexpectedly release, “causing the seat to rotate forward. When this happens, an infant inside the carrier can fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries.” Evenflo has received 679 reports of the handle on the car seat/carriers unexpectedly releasing, resulting in 160 injuries to children—including a skull fracture, and two concussions.
