Consumer alerts

January 10, 2008 -- Jefferson City, Mo. — As residents in the Ozarks begin the recovery process from this week’s tornadoes and storms, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon says to watch out for scams. Nixon says thieves known as “storm chasers” target hard-hit areas claiming to offer home-repair services. He says storm chasers often go door-to-door, offering quick services for consumers who may be in urgent need of repairs, whether it’s a new roof, windows, siding or other work.    » read more »

January 10, 2008 -- INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter encourages Hoosiers in North Central Indiana to be on guard against unscrupulous contractors following the recent flooding in the area. Con artists may come out of the woodwork to prey on those who have seen damage to their homes by offering assistance at outrageous prices or taking money and failing to complete the work.    » read more »

January 9, 2008 -- The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Model Year 2007 Honda TRX 500 ATVs

Units: About 40,000

Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. of Torrance, Calif.

Hazard: Water can enter the throttle position sensor and freeze, causing permanent damage if the rider forces the throttle lever. This could cause the throttle to stick open, posing a risk of injury or death to riders.    » read more »

January 7, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing a warning to consumers confronted with severe winter weather. When there’s a power outage, exercise caution when using portable generators.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible killer. You can’t see or smell it. A generator’s exhaust contains poisonous CO which can kill you in a matter of minutes.

At least 65 people died in 2006 from generator-related CO poisoning. Many of the deaths occurred after winter storms knocked out power.

Follow these important generator safety tips:    » read more »

January 3, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Metal Toy Wagons

Units: About 15,000

Importer: Tricam Industries Inc., of Eden Prairie, Minn.

Hazard: Surface paint on the wagon bucket contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

December 20, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today wrote to Nancy Nord, acting Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), demanding a response to a letter he sent last month that has gone unanswered. Casey sent the first letter on November 15, 2007 expressing his concerns regarding the CPSC’s ability to protect children from unsafe toys during the upcoming holiday season.    » read more »

December 19, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Soldier Bear Toys

Units: About 11,400

Importer/Retailer: AAFES (Army & Air Force Exchange Service), of Dallas, TX

Manufacturer: First Learning Company Ltd, of Hong Kong (wooden toys)

Manufacturer: Toy World Group Co. Ltd. of Hong Kong (military vehicle toy play set)    » read more »

December 19, 2007 -- The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Giant Measuring Chart

Units: About 13,000

Manufacturer: Discount School Supply, of Monterey, Calif.

Hazard: The paint on the grow chart contains excess levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

December 19 2007 -- Jackson, MS - Throughout the year, but especially at Christmas time, parents are concerned about the safety of the toys their children are playing with. As a father of three, as well as Attorney General of the State of Mississippi, Jim Hood shares the same concerns and is joining 34 other Attorneys General in urging Congress to support legislation that strengthens federal standards on lead contaminated toys and other products and grants authority to state attorneys general to enforce these federal regulations.    » read more »

December 14, 2007 -- A new identity theft scheme is targeting Texans, particularly those who bank at Amarillo National Bank, a legitimate Texas financial institution. Spoof e-mails are directing Amarillo National Bank customers to call a telephone number and confirm their personal information. Customers who make the call do not actually reach their hometown banker, but instead end up on the telephone with a scam artist who wants to steal their identity.    » read more »

December 14, 2007 -- Las Vegas, NV - Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and Secretary of State Ross Miller are warning all Nevadans to beware of fraudulent foreclosure rescue schemes. Recent reports place Nevada first in the nation for its number of foreclosures. This has led to an increase in the number of foreclosure scams reported to law enforcement authorities.    » read more »

December 14, 2007 -- Chicago – On the heels of her Dec. 3, 2007, announcement concerning red blood pressure cuffs found in Fisher-Price toy medical kits, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan today warned consumers of a similar toy that presents a potential lead poisoning hazard—the green blood pressure cuff found in Sesame Street Giggle Fisher-Price toy medical kits. Madigan urges parents to take away the green blood pressure cuff toys from their children immediately.    » read more »

Dec 14, 2007 -- LITTLE ROCK – More than 400,000 Arkansans are enrolled in Medicare, and recently, the Arkansas Attorney General's Office has received numerous complaints about a phishing scheme targeting these beneficiaries. While this scam is not new, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued this consumer alert today to warn consumers about its recurrence.    » read more »

December 13, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Infantino® Lion Teethers

Units: About 28,000

Manufacturer: Infantino® LLC, of San Diego, Calif.

Hazard: The plastic nose can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.    » read more »

December 13, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Valucraft Booster Cables

Units: About 140,000

Manufacturer: AutoZone Parts Inc., of Memphis, Tenn.

Hazard: The booster cables clamps were assembled incorrectly resulting in reverse polarity. This poses an electrical shock and explosion hazard to consumers.    » read more »