Friday, March 30, 2007
Financial Data Stolen From TJX Now Being Used
Consumer Help Web shared information with readers about a
massive data theft earlier this year. The company's president, Joan Bounacos, was quick to point out that this incident, involving TJX, the owners of Marshall's and TJ Maxx stores was different because it was a clear theft, not a "data breach".
"You could simply tell right away that this wasn't a case of a missing laptop, but a sophisticated criminal enterprise," the consumer advocate said in a statement. "There was too much data, over too long a period of time for consumers to be cavalier about this incident."
In a
filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, TJX admitted that the data breach had gone on longer than previously reported and that the company itself took longer to report the incident to the public. Citing multiple thefts going back years, the company spent pages of its filing to provide its version of details related to the theft, calling it a "computer intrusion".
"The most disappointing information in the filing is the attitude the company seems to have," Bounacos said. "While admitting that some evidence exists the data is now being used to steal identifies, the company says it will vigorously defend litigation and claims against it. That might be good for stockholders, but not for the tens of millions of people now at risk."
In February, Consumer Help Web called for TJX, which posted net income last year of more than $700 million, to work with consumers to provide free credit monitoring services after the records were stolen. "A company with $17 billion in revenue is forcing consumers to pay for credit monitoring fees," Bounacos said. "They seem to display an unusually cavalier attitude rather than accepting responsibility for a multi-year, multiple event theft from their company. Consumers shouldn't have to pay for the company's lack of proper technology security."
Labels: identity theft, TJX
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Baby Sling Carrier Recalled After Children Injured
Infantino and the United States Product Safety Commission have recalled the company's SlingRider Infant Carriers. According to the agency, plastic sliders on the unit can break and cause the child to fall. There have been ten reports of the slider breaking, resulting in multiple babies falling from the unit. In at least one case, a baby's skull was fractured.
Consumers should stop using these carriers immediately and contact Infantino to return them and receive a free replacement product. Infantino's telephone number is (888) 808-3111 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. pacific time Monday through Friday.
This recall involves the Infantino SlingRider™ carriers with item numbers: 141-210; 151-210; 151-528; and 151-534. The SlingRider™ consists of a fabric carrier with a strap attached that is worn by the user to carry an infant up to 20 pounds. The carriers are sold in black or khaki. “Infantino” is printed on the plastic slider located on the strap. The item number is printed on a label inside the SlingRider.™ Products labeled “Made in Thailand” or “New 2007 Design” are not included in the recall.
Labels: Infantino, recall
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Cadillac and Hummer Join Carfax To Promote Vehicle History, Provide Free Carfax Reports For Buyers
Carfax has been named the vehicle history provider of choice by Cadillac and Hummer for the brands’ respective Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs. Cadillac and Hummer now require all their dealers to run a Carfax Vehicle History Report on any vehicle submitted for certification. Used car shoppers interested in purchasing a Certified Cadillac or Hummer will receive the full Carfax Vehicle History Report for free.
“A survey by
BusinessWeek just found Cadillac’s customer service performance to be the best in the entire auto industry. This is another building block in our quest to offer an outstanding purchasing experience,” said Jim Taylor, Cadillac General Manager.
Both Cadillac and Hummer offer 6-year/100,000 mile warranties on all CPO vehicles, which also will come with the industry-leading Carfax Buyback Guarantee.
Labels: carfax
Monday, March 26, 2007
Drug Price Increases Double Inflation
Brand name prescription drug prices continue to rise at about twice the rate of inflation, according to the latest
AARP Watchdog Report.
AARP’s Watchdog Report found that ten of the brand name drugs it tracks increased at least four times the rate of general inflation during 2006. Ambien led the pack with a 29.7 percentage increase in manufacturer price, followed by Combivent at 18.3 percent and Atrovent Inhaler at 16.9 percent.
"The report highlights that drug prices continue to skyrocket,' said David Sloane, Senior Managing Director, Government Relations & Advocacy. "Over time escalating drug prices will make Medicare drug plans unaffordable for older Americans. One way to address high drug prices is to take full advantage of Medicare’s bargaining power and allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices."
Bob Elliott, a 75-year-old retiree from Kentucky, enrolled in a Medicare drug plan in 2006 after losing retiree prescription drug coverage from his former employer. He takes six prescriptions daily and by July 2006 reached the coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole” at which time he began paying full price for his medications. Only two of his medications are available in a generic version. “It was real sticker shock,” said Elliot. "I went from paying a co-payment to full price. My out-of pocket expenses on drugs alone in six months reached $2,000. Prescription drug prices are too high and hit older Americans’ wallets the hardest." As brand name drug prices continue to rise more and more Americans can expect a similar fate.
"We need to send a loud and clear message to the pharmaceutical industry that Americans cannot afford to continue to pay the highest prices for prescription drugs in the world," continued Sloane.
The Watchdog Report shows that nearly 200 of the most commonly used brand name drugs for older adults rose 6.2 percent in 2006, nearly twice the general rate of inflation, which was 3.2 percent. 2006 also marked the first year that the new Medicare drug benefit was in effect.
In contrast, manufacturer list prices in 2006 for 75 generic drugs tracked by AARP’s Watchdog Report fell by 2.0 percent. This continues a downward trend for manufacturer price increases for already lower-priced generic drugs that began in 2003.
Labels: AARP, medical
Friday, March 16, 2007
Your Credit Card Rights
Think resolving credit problems is as difficult as
finishing a five-star Sudoku puzzle? Then check out Credit
Card Rights, a new, informative package of publications
from AARP, the Federal Reserve Board, and the Federal
Citizen Information Center. It's filled with helpful tips
and advice on how you can protect your credit history and
fix any errors that may occur.
Your credit report includes information on where you live,
how you pay your bills, whether you've been sued or
arrested, or if you have filed for bankruptcy. And mistakes
on it can affect your ability to get insurance, a loan, an
apartment, or even a job. That's why it's important for you
to check your credit report annually with all three of the
nationwide consumer reporting agencies. Find out how to
order your free report and what to do if you discover
inaccurate information with this useful package.
You should also be on the look out for errors on your
credit card statements. Billing errors include incorrect
credits for payments, charges that you didn't make, and
charges for goods or services that you didn't receive or
that weren't as promised. Under the Fair Credit Billing
Act, you have the right to contest the mistake within 60
days after the bill's statement date. If you think your
bill has an error, follow the steps outlined in the Credit
Card Rights package to help dispute the amount.
And what if your credit card is lost or stolen? Do you know
what to do? Once you discover your card is missing,
immediately notify the card company. By doing so, you won't
have to pay more than $50 for unauthorized charges. And
remember this protection is guaranteed so there's no need
to buy "credit card insurance." It's also a good idea to
make a list of your account numbers and the corresponding
toll-free phone numbers and keep them in a safe place.
Order the Credit Card Rights package today and be an
informed consumer. This package costs $2.00. There are
three easy ways to get your package:
* Send your name, address, and a check or money order for
$2.00 to Credit Card Rights, Pueblo, Colorado 81009.
* Visit
www.pueblo.gsa.gov/money.htm to read or print more
credit-related publications and hundreds of other Federal
publications for free.
* Call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO. That's 1 (888) 878-3256,
weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time and ask for Credit
Card Rights. Have your credit card handy.
Labels: credit
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Price, Quality Drive Photo Printer Purchase, Power Finds
When shopping for a photo printer, 25 percent of consumers indicate price is the most important reason for purchasing a specific brand, followed by printer quality, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Photo Printer Customer Satisfaction Study.
The inaugural study measures customer satisfaction with photo printers based on five factors that drive overall satisfaction: performance, appearance, connectivity, ease of use and cost. When examining photo printer performance relative to the drivers of overall satisfaction, Kodak and Lexmark perform particularly well among printer brands.
"Price and quality play a critical role in the purchase decision and also have a considerable impact on overall satisfaction once the ownership experience begins," said Steve Kirkeby, executive director of telecommunications and technology at J.D. Power and Associates. “Generally, consumers have a much more positive attitude toward their photo printer if they believe they received a good deal, which creates a valuable marketing opportunity for retailers’ and manufacturers’ sales channels. By clearly communicating the value and cost-savings in bundling high-quality printers with cameras and their accessories, manufacturers can improve their chances of attracting customers while providing a more satisfying purchase experience.”
The study finds that 25 percent of customers purchase their photo printers through the Internet. Among those shoppers, 27 percent purchase from a retail Web site, 24 percent purchase directly through the brand manufacturer’s site and 9 percent purchase through an online auction site such as
eBay. Customers who purchase through the Internet have higher satisfaction levels with their printer (averaging index scores of 801 points on a 1,000-point scale) compared to owners who purchased in a retail store (averaging 779 points).
"Although it is not always the case, customers generally feel that they are able to find less expensive printers online than in a retail store, particularly at online auction sites," said Kirkeby. "This is further evidence of the critical role price plays in buying a photo printer."
The study also finds that there is a distinct relationship between overall satisfaction and brand loyalty. Among satisfied printer owners—those who provide an overall satisfaction score of 900 or more index points—52 percent will repurchase the same printer brand. Conversely, only 4 percent of indifferent or disappointed owners—those who provide a satisfaction score of 700 points or less—are likely to repurchase the same brand.
"Our research also shows that if customer satisfaction improves by 25 index points, repurchase intent among owners will, on average, improve by 10 percentage points, which can certainly prove beneficial to manufacturers," said Kirkeby.
Additionally, while nearly 70 percent of satisfied owners report they would recommend their printer brand to friends and family, only 5 percent of indifferent and disappointed owners indicate they would do the same.
The 2006 Photo Printer Customer Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 2,391 customers who purchased or received a photo printer between July 2005 and July 2006.
Labels: J.D. Power, printer
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Another Hotel Goes Smoke Free
Comfort Suites, which operates 443 hotels containing 53,393 rooms, told reporters that it would ban smoking throughout its properties this spring. There was no word on whether other hotel chains owned by Choice Hotels, including Quality Inn (122,000 rooms) and EconoLodge (55,000 rooms) would follow suit.
Comfort joins major hotel chains in banning smoking throughout its properties.
Labels: Comfort Suites, smoking
Monday, March 12, 2007
Fisher-Price Settles Government Recall Case For $975,000, Admits No Wrongdoing
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Fisher-Price Inc., has agreed to pay a $975,000 civil penalty. The penalty, which the Commission has provisionally accepted, settles allegations that the company failed to report to the government that a nail fastener in the Little People® Animal Sounds Farm could separate from the toy and pose a serious choking or aspiration hazard to young children.
About 67,000 Little People® Animal Sounds Farms were sold nationwide by Fisher-Price from June 2002 through July 2002. In September 2002, the company received its first report of a nail fastener coming loose from one of the toy barn’s stall doors. Over the next two months, Fisher-Price received nine additional reports, including one case of a child placing the nail fastener in her mouth.
By February 2003, Fisher-Price had received two reports of parents concerned that this problem posed a choking hazard to children and a report of a December 30, 2002 incident in which a 14-month old child aspirated a nail fastener into his lung. The child was taken to the hospital and underwent an emergency surgical procedure to have the metal nail fastener removed.
It was not until March 2003 that the company reported the safety hazard with the Little People® Animal Farm to the Commission. By that time, Fisher-Price was aware of at least 33 reports in which the nail fastener came loose from the stall doors. These included four reports of children who put the metal nail fastener in their mouths and the one case of the child who aspirated the nail fastener.
Federal law requires firms to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial risk of injury to the public, presents an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or violates a federal safety standard.
In April 2003, CPSC and Fisher-Price announced the recall of the Little People® Animal Sounds Farms and recommended that consumers take the toy away from young children immediately and contact the company to receive a free repair kit. Consumers can still call Fisher-Price anytime at (866) 259-7873 or order the repair kit online at www.service.mattel.com
In agreeing to settle the matter, Fisher-Price Inc. denies CPSC’s allegations that the company knowingly violated the law.
Prior to the loss of quorum, the Commission delegated authority to the Office of Compliance and Field Operations to settle this matter with Fisher-Price before March 1, 2007.
Labels: Fisher-Price, recall
Friday, March 09, 2007
White House Creates Task Force For Combat Vets To Streamline Benefits
President Bush announced that a new task force headed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson will be launched to help streamline the paperwork and other processes combat veterans must go through to receive benefits.
Nicholson is a Republican partisan who served as the RNC's national chair from 1997 through 2000. Despite never being elected to office, he has held numerous leadership positions, including an ambassadorship to The Vatican. The 69 year old Iowan is a West Point alum who served in the Army for thirty years, including combat duty in Vietnam, where he won a Bronze Star among numerous other medals.
The task force's mandate is to accomplish the following in 45 days:
* Identify and examine existing federal services that currently are provided to returning Global War on Terror service members;*
* Identify existing gaps in such services;
* Seek recommendations from appropriate federal agencies on ways to fill those gaps; and
* Ensure that appropriate federal agencies are communicating and cooperating effectively.
Public perception of the care combat veterans is receiving has fallen in recent weeks in the wake of a scandal at well known Army hospital Walter Reed Medical Center. Brigadier General Michael Tucker was transferred yesterday from Fort Knox to lead the embattled healthcare facility. Tucker, who served in Iraq, will oversee all operations of the military hospital, which is scheduled to be merged with Bethesda (MD) National Naval Medical Center in 2011 as part of the costutting base closure bill signed in 2005.
Labels: healthcare, VA
Thursday, March 08, 2007
IRS Says 30% Of All Taxpayers Don't Claim Their Tax Refund
The Internal Revenue Service urged taxpayers to check to see if they qualify for the telephone excise tax refund after more than 10 million early filers did not request the one-time refund.
The agency said that about 30 percent of all taxpayers did not request the telephone tax refund.
“Many taxpayers are overlooking this special refund and the chance to get a bigger refund,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “We encourage taxpayers to spend a few extra minutes reviewing their tax return to make sure they are making an accurate request. A little extra time can mean a bigger refund check.”
The government stopped collecting the long-distance excise tax last August after several federal court decisions held that the tax does not apply to long-distance service as it is billed today. Federal officials also authorized a one-time refund of the federal excise tax collected on service billed during the previous 41 months, stretching from the beginning of March 2003 to the end of July 2006. The tax continues to apply to local-only phone service.
To make the refund easier to figure, the government established a standard refund amount, based on personal exemptions, ranging from $30 to $60. If taxpayers have phone bills and other records, they can request the actual amount of excise tax paid. Though using the standard amount is optional, it is easy to figure and approximates the eligible amount for most individual taxpayers. Taxpayers only have to fill out one line on their return, and they don’t need to present proof to the IRS.
Out of the tax returns filed through Feb. 16, more than 10 million taxpayers did not request the telephone tax refund. And nearly half of those returns — more than 4.8 million — were completed by a tax preparer.
“We are surprised how many tax preparers are overlooking the telephone tax refund,” Everson said. “We want all taxpayers entitled to this refund to get it, whether they are using a tax preparer or doing the return themselves.”
For people requesting the telephone tax refund, it adds $30 to $60 — or even more — onto a refund. The IRS wants to make it as easy as possible for anyone who paid the tax to get this special refund. If you paid the tax and haven’t filed yet, here are some tips to help you figure the refund correctly and get it quickly:
* File electronically. Electronic-filing software flags often overlooked tax breaks and helps you figure them accurately and report them properly. If you use a professional tax preparer, ask that person to e-file your return.
* E-file for free. If your income is $52,000 or less, use the IRS' Free File program to connect to a private-sector company offering free e-file services.
* Choose direct deposit. Whether you file electronically or on paper, you can get your refund at least a week sooner by having it deposited directly into your checking or savings account.
* Consider using the standard-refund amount for the telephone-tax refund. Though using the standard amount is optional, it is easy to figure and approximates the eligible amount for most individual taxpayers. You only have to fill out one line on your return, and you don’t need to present proof to the IRS. The standard amount, ranging from $30 to $60, is based on the number of exemptions you can claim on your return.
* If you paid more than the standard amount, you may figure your refund using the actual amount of tax shown on your phone bills and other records. Base your refund request on the three-percent federal tax paid, not the total phone bill. Do not count tax paid on local-only service. You must have the phone bills or other records adequate to support the amount you are requesting. These documents should not be sent along with the refund request but should be retained in case the IRS questions the amount requested.
* Do not file duplicate requests. If you file a regular income-tax return, do not file Form 1040EZ-T. Designed exclusively for requesting the telephone-tax refund, this simple form is for people who don’t need to file a regular income-tax return. If you want to take advantage of the earned income tax credit for low and moderate income workers, the child tax credit or other tax breaks, file a regular return and include your telephone-tax refund request on that return.
* Stay away from tax preparers who falsely claim that many, if not most, phone customers can get hundreds of dollars or more back under this program.
Labels: IRS, telecom
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Experian Subsidiary Settles FTC Charges Related To Mock Consumer Site
Consumerinfo.com, doing business as Experian Consumer Direct, will pay $300,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that ads for its “free credit report” offer failed to disclose adequately that consumers who signed up would be automatically enrolled in a credit- monitoring program and charged $79.95. The FTC alleged that the failure to clearly disclose the enrollment and charges violated a previous settlement.
In August 2005, Consumerinfo.com, paid $950,000 to settle FTC charges that it deceptively marketed “free credit reports.” According to the FTC, Consumerinfo offered consumers a free copy of their credit report and added that they would provide “30 FREE days of Credit Check Monitoring.” The FTC alleged that Consumerinfo’s advertising and Web sites failed to explain adequately that after the free trial period for the credit-monitoring service expired, consumers automatically would be charged a $79.95 annual membership, unless they notified the defendant within 30 days to cancel the service. Consumerinfo billed the credit cards that it had told consumers were “required only to establish your account” and, in some cases, automatically renewed memberships by re-billing consumers without notice. In addition to the $950,000 payment, the settlement required Consumerinfo to pay redress to deceived consumers, barred deceptive and misleading claims about “free” offers, and required clear and conspicuous disclosure of terms and conditions of any “free”offer.
The FTC alleges that Consumerinfo.com ran ads after the settlement that violated the disclosure requirement. The settlement requires Consumerinfo to give up $300,000 in ill-gotten gains, and bars it from misrepresenting any affiliation with the annual credit report available to consumers under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
The stipulated judgment and order named Consumerinfo.com, Inc., doing business as Experian Consumer Direct, Qspace, Inc., and Iplace, Inc.
The Commission vote to accept the supplemental stipulated judgment and order was 5-0. It was filed in United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles.
NOTE: Stipulated judgments and orders for permanent injunction and monetary relief are for settlement purposes only and do not constitute an admission by the defendant of a law violation. Stipulated judgments have the force of law when signed by the judge.Labels: credit, Experian, FTC
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
New Pesticide Is First To Travel Between US, Canada
NAFTA boosters are boosting their usefulness after EPA Assistant Administrator Jim Gulliford announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency have given the first joint approval of a "harmonized label" for a pesticide product. The pesticide product is called Far-Go Granular Herbicide in the United States (EPA reg. 10163-287) and Avadex MicroActiv Herbicide in Canada and is registered for use on wheat, barley, beets, lentils and peas.
"As a result of extraordinary collaboration and leadership on the part of governments, growers, and pesticide producers, now joint U.S./Canadian pesticide labels are a reality,” said EPA Assistant Administrator Jim Gulliford. “Joint approvals maintain high safety standards, help ensure producers have pest control tools available, and advance the goal of a North American market for pesticides."
A harmonized label allows for cross-border movement of pesticide product since the harmonized package labeling satisfies the regulatory requirements in both countries with unique use directions to accommodate differences in the two countries’ use patterns. Thus, the harmonized labels safeguard public health protections in both the United States and Canada.
Currently, 12 more pesticide products are in the pipeline for NAFTA label development. Besides making more choices available, the end result could be lower prices for consumers says Consumer Help Web president Joan Bounacos. "More products mean more choice and that ultimately leads to a wider range of prices," said the consumer advocacy company's CEO. "NAFTA is just one mechanism that allows trade to flow freely between partner countries and increase the choices available. Higher end products will naturally move to that end of the cost scale while other products fight to be the low cost provider. This creates more job, saves consumers money and even brings about more jobs. It's a win-win-win scenario."
Labels: NAFTA, pesticide
