FDA Warning: Tainted Weight Loss Pills

If you use weight loss products- you may want to look into this warning from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Keep in mind this is not a recall at this point- merely an announcement from the FDA that the agency is seeking a recall of these products, which they say pose serious health risks.

The FDA says more than 25 different products marketed for weight loss contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients. Visit the link below for more information on the specific products mentioned:

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01933.html

Holiday Decorating Do's & Don'ts

Chances are you've already done some holiday decorating, but you may want to check your work... the Consumer Product Safety Commission has released their list of "Do's and Don'ts" for holiday decorating. The list covers trees & decorations, lights, candles, and fireplaces. To browse the information, just click the link below!

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09064.html

Long Time, No Blog!

Hi! If you regularly check in with this blog, you know it's been awhile since my last official "post". However I do check-in regularly with the links on the left hand side of the page. The categories "Consumer Agencies" and "Consumer News Websites" are basically how I check up on my consumer news beat. There are lots of helpful blogs, articles, and columns under these categories that allow me to take in a lot of consumer-related news very quickly.

I encourage you to check out some of these links. The "Consumer Agencies" are largely government agencies, and "Consumer News" sites are just other miscellaneous sites you can check out. They include blogs and columns from other consumer reporters. You'll notice below all that-- there is an RSS feed of the latest stories posted on the Consumer Reports website.

Hopefully this clarifies why that growing list of consumer websites is there, why they are helpful to me, and why they can be a great thing for you to check out as well! If you know of any helpful consumer sites, please let me know. Remember, consumer news can pertain to finances, consumer safety, fraud/scams, money saving strategies, and so much more.

Also don't forget to browse my list of WSIL consumer stories. The links take you video of stories and interviews done on channel 3.

Crib Recall

Two infant deaths are prompting the recall of more than 1.5 million drop side cribs made by Delta Enterprises. Both infants suffocated in their cribs after becoming stuck in a gap due to missing or dysfunctional pegs.

The CPSC says a portion of the recalled cribs made between 1995 and 2005 have missing safety pegs, other cribs have spring pegs that don't work properly.

Visit the link below for information on how to inspect your own crib- as well as information on the CPSC's efforts to address crib defects.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09018.html

Mars Changes Candy Facts

The candy you purchase may start looking a little different in the next couple of months. Starting in December- the Mars company-- makers of products like M&M's and Skittles- will be placing Guideline Daily Amounts- or GDA's- in large print on the front of the products, as well as more detailed information on calories, fat, and sugar in an easier to read box on the back. The Mars company hopes to help combat the obesity epidemic- by helping consumers make more informed choices.

Phone Scammers Pose as FTC

The following are headlines from stories aired in my Consumer headlines on 10/21/08...

Con artists are trying to collect money under the name of the very organization that helps protect consumers from fraud. Scammers claiming to work for the Federal Trade Commission are calling consumers, claiming they've won a lottery or sweepstakes. They then ask you to pay the taxes and insurance on the winnings- and you receive nothing in return.

The public may be fooled- because the scammers are able to make it appear on caller I.D. that they're located at FTC headquarters in Washington DC. Officials with the FTC say the commission never collects money from consumers. If you receive one of these calls- hang up.

"Eating Patterns in America"

The NPD Group (New Product Development) conducts extensive retail market research for a range of industries. They recently put out a report on consumers' eating habits- it's the gruop's annual "Eating Patterns in America" report. I compiled some information for a consumer report during one of our Tuesday (10/14) newscasts. Here are some interesting findings...

-Dieting has hit a new low
-Americans are eating more at home, but not using restaurants any less
-Stopping at restaurants for breakfast has hit a new high
-More snacking is happening in the morning than the evening
-More people are grilling out in the winter

Visit this link for more information on the NPD's study...
http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_081013.html

Sweet Cereal!

I've noticed this story is starting to get some national attention... it aired as part of my consumer headlines Tuesday on TV-3... information courtesy of Consumer Reports website.

After a 32-nation study, Consumer reports says cereal in the U.S. is sweeter than the same brands sold overseas. U.S. cereals were found to be higher in sodium and sugar content. For example, Honey Smacks sold in Germany, Slovenia, and Switzerland had about 40 percent sugar- compared with 55 percent sugar in the U.S. product.

Consumers International is calling on the World Health Organization to develop international guidelines that would restrict advertising and marketing of foods high in sugar, fat, or sodium to children.

Will this impact you and your family's cereal consumption? Leave a comment with your opinion, or email eeddington@wsiltv.com

Large Companies Drawn into E-Mail Scams

From my Consumer Alert on WSIL: 9-26-08

It's not at all unusual to find some spam-email in your inbox from time to time, but now more and more major companies are busy defending themselves from email scams that use the company's name. Take Fed-Ex for example... Several News 3 viewers report receiving an email that said $800,000 dollars was reserved in an account for them, and the they could have the funds shipped if they pay a $150 security fee to Fed-Ex.

Officials with the company say they do not request payment or personal information through email and the company has devoted a section of their web-site to protecting yourself against fraudulent emails. Furthermore- the company posts examples of the scam messages- which are very similar to what those in southern Illinois are reporting.

For more information: http://fedex/com/us/fraud.
For examples of email fraud: http://www.fedex.com/us/fraud/examples.html

The Coca-Cola company is taking similar measures. There are several scams circulating using the company name, saying the recipient has won some sort of sweepstakes or cash prize- but claiming the winnings means giving up your personal financial information.

Representatives with the Coca-Cola company provide some things to look out for in emails that appear to come from large corporations. Though the emails appear to be official, look closely for the following:

-spelling and grammatical errors
-improper use of trademarks
-non-corporate email accounts
-requests for personal information

Keep Your Web-Mail Safe

The web isn't always safe... That's a lesson Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin learned the hard way. According to the Associated Press, someone recently hacked into her Yahoo! Email account, which she used to conduct official state business as the governor of Alaska.

According to Consumer Reports, the hacker used the "reset password" feature which lets users retrieve or change their password if they can confirm their identity with personal information--
like their birthday or spouse's name.

Consumer Reports offers some tips to avoid becoming a victim:
-choose your security questions and answers carefully- avoiding those that might be easily guessed.
-Use passwords that are a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols
-Vusing public computers to check web accounts.

For more information, visit the Consumer Reports website:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/09/palins-hacked-e.html?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=1&searchTerm=email%20palin

Alcoholic Energy Drinks... a good idea?

You may have caught this story during the 5:30 half hour on News 3 This Morning. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is calling on MillerCoors LLC to cease plans to introduce a new alcoholic energy drink known as "Sparks Red"-- that contains significantly elevated alcohol content.

Check out Madigan's website for more details...
http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2008_09/20080917.html

My question to you- what do you think? Madigan says this is a dangerous drink for young drinkers to be exposed to. Is the concept of an alcoholic energy drink unsafe? Leave a comment or email your feedback to eeddington@wsiltv.com

Attn: Marion Residents- Phone Scam

Marion police say residents are receiving calls from unkown person(s) soliciting funds for the Marion Police Department. They're asking for donations to "make the streets of Marion safer". The police department is not, and will not be engaged in any fundraisers. This is a scam- and those who receive these calls should hang up and report the incident to local authorities.

Attn: IL Southern 7 Counties- LIHEAP Energy Assistance Available

Some of you may have barely turned your air conditioners off, but it's already time to start thinking about heating your home this winter, and also how you can pay for it. The Shawnee Development council is taking appointments and applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP. Watch my interview with program manager Quintilla Batiste for more...

http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=5586&type=morning

Saving on Phone Bills

The Illinois Citizens Utility board recently held a "phone bill clinic" in Marion letting you know how you can go about lowering the cost of your cell phone or landline bills.

The CUB Cell Phone Saver website will allow you to upload a copy of your bill and give an analysis of the best plan for you...
http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/cellphonesaver.html

Watch my story on WSIL-TV:
http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=5571&type=top

Recalls Issued 9/16

Deere & Company Recalls Gator XUV Utility Vehicles Due to Fire Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08606.html

Regent Sports Recalls Soccer Goal Nets Following Strangulation Death of a Child
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08400.html

Scam Artist Sentenced

A Las Vegas man will spend 29 years in prison after being convicted of heading-up a major tele-marketing scheme. Hundreds of thousands across the country were impacted by 33-year-old Kyle Kimoto's credit card scam. Including many in southern Illinois. Check out more of this story at wsiltv.com...

http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=5592&type=top

September = Baby Safety Month

CPSC Focuses On Safety in the Nursery and Around the House for Baby Safety Month: Pillows Pose One of the Greatest Dangers Where Babies Sleep

Details...
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08394.html

Phone Scam Alert

Phone Scam!
Attention southern Illinois residents- this was one of stories in my consumer report that aired Tuesday 9/9/08... By falling for a phone scam you could be helping prison inmates. Murphysboro Police say a resident at the Big Muddy River Assisted Living Center reports receiving a call from a man calling himself Sergeant Brown with the Illinois State Police. The scammer said one of the resident's family members was in an accident and the resident was asked to call another officer at a number he provided. State Police say this is a scam perpetrated by an inmate at the Cook County Jail. Police say allegedly if a person calls the number- the inmate receives $1,000 worth of phone calls.

What if you think you've been scammed on the phone?
The FTC says you should report it to botht he FTC and your State Attorney General... This way your complaint can be added to the Consumer Sentinel Network- it's a database used by law enforcement groups across the country to track down scam artists.

Federal Trade Commission:
1-877-FTC-HELP
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/index.shtml

Il. Attorney General Lisa Madigan's hotline:
800-243-0607
http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/

Recalls: Issued 9/3 and 9/4

Sony Recalls Notebook Computers Due to Burn Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08392.html

Wolf Appliance Recalls Gas Ranges Due to Burn Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08391.html

Pendants and Candle Charms Recalled Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08390.html

Optave Inc. Recalls Action Baby Carriers Due to Fall Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08389.html

UPDATE! New Recalls- 9/3/08

From Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Cordless Screwdrivers Recalled by Menards due to Fire and Burn Hazards
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08388.html

Worldwise Inc. Recalls Retractable Dog Leashes; Metal Clasp Can Break and Cause Facial and Body Injuries to Dog Owners
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08387.html

Circo Children’s Bobbie Socks Recalled Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Target
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08386.html

Bicycles with Deda Forza Handlebar Stems Recalled by Deda Elementi Due to Crash Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08385.html

Saving on a Sitter, Airborne Refund, Rapid Reel Recall

Consumer headlines: Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Saving on a Sitter (courtesy of Consumer Reports)

If you want to go out but either can't find a baby-sitter or don't want to pay for one, Consumer Reports suggests building a babysitting co-op on your community. The deal is that parents agree to watch each others kids for free. A Virginia mom says a group in her town runs on a point system- the more sitting you do, the more points you accumulate... Someone willing to be the secretary scouts for available members- those with the least points get called first. Parents also distribute tip sheets on their children. http://blogs.consumerreports.org/baby/2008/08/budget-baby-how.html

Airborne Refund- Deadline to Apply is Sept. 15 (ABC News)

Have you ever purchased a product called Airborne to cure your cold? You could have some money coming your way... That is, If you made the purchase between May first 2001 and November 29th 2007. Airborne has settled a class action law-suit and government charges brought by the FTC. Both accused the company of deceptive marketing. If you have your receipts, you can get your money back for ALL the Airborne you've ever purchased. Without receipts, you can still get a refund for up to six items-- a total of 63 dollars.
http://www.airbornehealthsettlement.com/

Rapid Reel Recall (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Rapid Reel is recalling 7,000 portable garden hose carts sold nationwide at home repair retailers like ACE and True Value. The CPSC says the tires can explode while being inflated- causing risk for injury. Those sold between April 2005 and March 2006 are part of the recall. Consumers can contact Rapid Reel for free replacement tires.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08384.html