Consumer alerts

Explain New Price Gouging Law

December 5, 2007 -- In the wake of the recent storms hitting the Pacific Northwest, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and Attorney General Hardy Myers today warned storm victims to be alert for potential scams targeting them and reminded Oregonians about the state's new price gouging law.

"Natural disasters like the recent storm are usually followed by scam artists who will attempt to take advantage of victims' special needs for goods and services to recover from the storm," Kulongoski said.    » read more »

December 5, 2007 -- Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon says residents of central Missouri are receiving phone calls that appear to be from Central Bank, but actually are from identity thieves. Consumers say an automated phone call tells them there is a problem with their bank account and tells them to go to a Web site to address the problem. That Web site then asks them to enter their bank account information. In other cases, a live caller asks the person asking for the information directly.    » read more »

December 3, 2007 -- Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon says southwest Missourians are receiving phone calls that appear to be from Empire Bank, but actually are from identity thieves. Consumers say an automated phone call tells them there is a problem with their bank account and tells them to go to a Web site to address the problem. That Web site then asks them to enter their bank account information. In other cases, a live caller asks the person asking for the information directly.    » read more »

December 3, 2007 -- Chicago – Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan today warned consumers that Fisher-Price toy medical kits – specifically the red, blood pressure cuffs within the kits – contain high levels of lead. The toy kits are sold at retail stores nationwide.    » read more »

Gift card sales expected to reach $25 billion this season, according to the National Retail Federation

November 29, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory encouraging Floridians to be savvy shoppers when purchasing and using gift cards this holiday season. The Attorney General reminded consumers that gift cards scams unfortunately can occur, but basic consumer awareness and fraud prevention techniques could spare holiday shoppers considerable trouble.    » read more »

November 21, 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: Flashing Pacifiers or 2-in-1 Flashing Pacifiers with Whistle Necklaces

Units: About 8,000

Importer/Wholesaler: Sailing (U.S.) International Corp., of Hackensack, N.J.

Hazard: The nipple can detach from the base, posing a choking hazard to young children.    » read more »

November 23, 2007 -- Chicago – With gift cards expected to be among the top choices for gifts this holiday season, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is urging holiday shoppers to be informed about gift card sales requirements before making a purchase.    » read more »

November 21, 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: Visual Presenters (sold as Image Presentation Cameras by Epson)

Units: About 54,000

Distributor: ELMO USA Corp. of Plainview, NY

Manufacturer: ELMO Co. Ltd., of Japan

Hazard: Improperly installed fluorescent top lights in the presenter can overheat, posing a fire hazard.    » read more »

November 21, 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: Boppy® Slipcovers

Units: About 38,000

Importer: The Boppy Company, of Golden, Colo.    » read more »

November 21, 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: Children’s Pencil Pouches

Units: About 84,200

Distributor: Raymond Geddes & Co., of Baltimore, Md.

Hazard: The paint on the pencil pouches’ zipper pulls contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

November 21, 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: Sparkle City Charm Bracelets and Tack Pin Sets

Units: About 43,000

Importer: Buy-Rite Designs Inc., of Freehold, NJ

Hazard: The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.    » read more »

November 21, 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: Decorative Stretchable Aqua Bracelets

Units: About 45,000

Importer: Cherrydale Fundraising, of Allentown, Pa.

Hazard: The bracelets contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

November 21, 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: Children’s Metal Necklaces and Bracelets

Units: About 10,400

Manufacturer: Colossal Jewelry & Accessories Inc., of Maywood, N.J.

Hazard: The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.    » read more »

November 21, 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: La Femme NY Children’s Necklace and Earring Sets

Units: 4,500

Manufacturer: La Femme NY 2 Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Hazard: The recalled jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.    » read more »

November 21, 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: Crystal Innovations jewelry

Units: About 200,000

Distributor: Pure Allure, of Oceanside, Calif.

Hazard: The recalled metal jewelry contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »