Consumerist

INVESTIGATIONS

1/3 Of South Florida Gas Pumps Failed State Accuracy Tests

By consumeristcarey 10.21.07

More than a third South Florida’s gas station pumps have failed the state’s accuracy test in the past three years. An analysis of state inspections reveals that slightly more than half of the broken pumps err in favor of the consumer. The state inspects all pumps every 12-18 months.

The Sun-Sentinel analyzed state inspection reports from 2004 to 2006. The analysis found 580 of more than 2,500 stations in South Florida had at least one pump dispensing more gas than customers paid to purchase, while 477 provided less fuel than they should.

government

By cwalters 10.16.07

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Verizon may have admitted it gives out customer info without warrants, but AT&T and Qwest both refused to give Congress any information on their participation in the government’s wire-tapping activities, saying they needed permission from Bush administration first. [Reuters]

government

Congress Asks AT&T, Verizon, And Qwest About Warrantless Wiretapping

By cwalters 10.3.07

Qwest, Verizon, and AT&T have until October 12th to provide information on how the government went about asking for private customer records, and how the three companies provided the information. The Committee on Energy and Commerce opened an official investigation Tuesday. “If reports about the government surveillance program are accurate, Congress has a duty to inquire about whether such a program violates the Constitution, as well as consumer protection and privacy laws,” said committee chairman Rep. John Dingell.

california

Beware The Tow Truck Pirates

By consumerist.com 10.2.07

This ’05 KNBC investigation uncovered a rogue industry of pirate tow truck drivers in Southern California. A system of spotters kept watch for any driver who left the premises attached to a parking lot, and got paid $25-50 for calling in targets. In some cases, drivers were gone from their cars for less than 15 minutes.

readers

Insurers' Secret Tactics For Cheating Customers

By consumerist.com 9.11.07

In a damning 18-page report, Bloomberg exposes how the insurance industry’s systematic use of sleazy scare tactics cheat vulnerable policyholders.

recalls

Fisher-Price Being Investigated By CPSC Due To Shoddy Track Record Reporting Defects

By Meg Marco 8.7.07

Fisher-Price has a shoddy track record when it comes to reporting defects and “injuries from defects” to the Consumer Products Safety Commission.

porn

Why We're Not Telling Geek Squad CEO Which Agent Stole The Porn

By consumerist.com 7.5.07

subject looking for comment re: VIDEO: Consumerist Catches Geek Squad Stealing Porn From Customer’s Computer

porn

How To Make Your Computer Catch People Stealing Your Porn

By consumerist.com 7.5.07

Here’s how we rigged our computer to make a video of itself and caught the Geek Squad stealing porn from it.

porn

VIDEO: Consumerist Catches Geek Squad Stealing Porn From Customer's Computer

By Ben Popken 7.5.07

UPDATE: Why We’re Not Telling Geek Squad CEO Which Agent Stole The Porn

geek squad

Where's That Geek Squad Sting Operation Video Already?

By consumerist.com 7.4.07

It’s coming so very soon. Technology, the politics of delegation, in-vain attempts at perfection, all these slowed what we thought was gonna be a lot quicker. Sorry for the delay, we know some of you’ve been antsy. Bear with us!

lawsuits

U-Haul Has History Of Losing Key Evidence When Sued

By consumerist.com 6.27.07

Central pieces of evidence have gone go missing when U-Haul gets sued, LAT reports in the 3rd part of its investigation into the do-it-yourself moving company. In 11 out of 10,000 lawsuits filed against the company since 1998, items such as faulty tires and rims at the core of the cases have vanished before or during trial.

safety

U-Haul's Trucks Are Unsafe, Not Maintained

By Meg Marco 6.25.07

Part 2 in a LA Times investigation into U-Haul’s business practices and safety record isn’t any less bleak than part 1. The LA Times investigation has uncovered that U-Haul fails to properly maintain their aging fleet of vehicles while mechanics “hang paper” (forge safety inspections and repairs) to keep the trucks and the money rolling.

During a yearlong investigation, Times journalists surveyed more than 200 U-Haul trucks and trailers in California and other states and found that more than half were overdue for a company-mandated “safety certification,” a check of brakes, tires and other parts typically required every 30 days.

safety

U-Haul Knowingly Rents Deadly Trailers

By consumeristcarey 6.24.07

U-Haul knowingly rents unsafe tow trailers that have the potential to kill customers. A yearlong investigation by the L.A. Times found that U-Haul’s practices unnecessarily expose customers to the dangers of trailer sway.

Traveling downhill or shaken by a sharp turn or a gust of wind, a trailer can begin swinging so violently that only the most experienced — or fortunate — drivers can regain control and avoid catastrophe.

Trailers can sway when towed by vehicles lighter than the trailer. U-Haul regulations allows trailers to outweigh the tow-vehicle by up to 25%, openly flouting guidelines set by automakers. For instance, U-Haul allows a 2007 Crown Victoria to haul 4,400 pounds, even though Ford suggests that the 4,100 pound vehicle tow no more than 1,500 pounds. “Two U-Haul competitors, Penske and Budget only rent trailers to customers renting trucks heavier than the trailers. Safety is the reason.”

geek squad

Teaser For Our Forthcoming Sting Operation Video

By consumerist.com 6.19.07

Still working on the video. Here’s a small taste of what’s to come…

safety

Chinese Poison Train Defeats FDA, The Prequel

By consumeristcarey 6.17.07

Ten years ago, the FDA tried and failed to identify the driver of the deadly Chinese Poison Train. The investigation started when diethylene glycol produced by a state-owned company was mixed into fever medicine, killing 88 Haitian children.

The F.D.A.’s efforts to investigate the Haiti poisonings, documented in internal F.D.A. memorandums obtained by The New York Times, demonstrate not only the intransigence of Chinese officials, but also the same regulatory failings that allowed a virtually identical poisoning to occur 10 years later. The cases further illustrate what happens when nations fail to police the global pipeline of pharmaceutical ingredients.

The Chinese Poison Train hides behind a veil of secrecy and lies, after the jump…

announcements

Next Week: Consumerist Catches Major Company In The Act

By consumerist.com 6.15.07

Next week, we will bring you the dramatic results of our sting operation into a company who has appeared many times on this blog.

TOP

Nu-Life Owns The Trademarks For Innovage AND DS-MAX

By Ben Popken 6.13.07

Nu-Life, the company so mad at us about “adversely” affecting its DS-MAX trademark, saying that old DS-MAX became Innovage and Nu-Life has nothing to do with the actions of old DS-MAX or new Innovage… [More]

backend

DS-MAX Tries To Shut Down Our IDT-Energy Investigation

By Ben Popken 6.12.07

UPDATE: Nu-Life Owns The Trademarks For Innovage AND DS-MAX

While reporting the results of our undercover investigation into IDT-Energy through one of their marketing outfits, a battle waged in the background between us and the current owners of the DS-MAX trademark.

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INVESTIGATIONS