After years of focusing on home mortgage scams, the Federal Trade Commission is turning its sights on what it calls bogus auto loan modifications. The FTC says fraud artists are moving from mortgage loan modification schemes and targeting consumers who are underwater on their auto loans.
For the 12th year in a row, identity theft was the number one consumer complaint -- irking consumers more than debt collectors, imposter scams and shady credit repair companies.
Reebok got a kick in the keester on Wednesday. The Federal Trade Commission announced that the company had to pay $25 million for "deceptively" advertising its shoes for having buttock-toning abilities.
A Kansas company has recalled more than 14,000 pounds of ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination, federal authorities have announced.
The Federal Trade Commission has filed suit against three companies that allegedly served as fronts for scams, including fraudulent promises to help customers earn $10,000 a month from lucrative Internet businesses.
Toyota is recalling 2.2 million vehicles to correct problems that can cause gas pedals to become stuck in floormats.
Foursquare founder Dennis Crowley kicked up a firestorm last week when he said users "should get some kind of referrer's fee" when they get their online followers to buy items like movie tickets.
Nissan is recalling more than 2.1 million vehicles worldwide over engine problems, the automaker said Thursday.
Honda has announced a recall of nearly half a million vehicles with brake problems, just days after Toyota announced a similar recall.
Toyota is recalling 740,000 vehicles sold in the United States because of potentially unsafe brakes, adding to the automaker's 2010 recall woes.
Toy manufacturer Fisher-Price announced the recall of over 10 million children's products and toys on Thursday.
Despite being rich in antioxidants, pomegranate juice is probably not an effective treatment for heart disease and other serious health conditions.
Perdue Farms is recalling 91,872 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets because some of the products may contain pieces of plastic, the company said Tuesday.
Twitter agreed to settle charges that it "deceived customers" and failed to protect their personal information, the Federal Trade Commission said Thursday.
The Senate might break its impasse on financial overhaul if it moves forward with a proposal that would put a consumer financial protection watchdog inside the Federal Reserve.
Despite a torrent of high-profile recalls that have tarnished Toyota's once stellar reputation, a study published Wednesday reveals that the automaker actually gets fewer customer complaints per car than the majority of its competitors.
The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday it is suing Intel Corp., the world's largest chipmaker, for alleged anticompetitive practices.
The federal agency in charge of product safety announced the recall of 24,000 Amby Baby hammocks after reports of two infants dying from suffocation in the beds.
Procter & Gamble is recalling Vicks Sinex nasal spray in the United States, Britain and Germany after finding it contained bacteria, the company said.
It's getting to be that time of year again: The leaves change, the temperature drops, and we redecorate our living rooms, desks, cars, and backpacks with shiny new electronics.
In his latest astutely staged gesture as grand economic reformer, President Obama this week directed his Treasury Department to deliver to Congress a 153-page bill creating a new agency to protect unwitting consumers against devious lenders.
When President Obama takes the podium on Wednesday to talk about his proposals for avoiding the next financial crisis, he is expected to unveil one idea that speaks directly to consumers and their pocketbooks.
Meet Washington's new power brokers on the economy: Consumer advocates.
Car expert Tom Torbjornsen answers a letter from a auto owner:
Chrysler and General Motors announced this week that they would shrink their dealer base in the U.S.
The Federal Trade Commission is attempting to shut down three companies that the agency alleges have bombarded millions of consumers since 2007 with deceptive "robocalls" to sell them phony extensions to their original vehicle warranties.
Car expert Tom Torbjornsen answers a letter from a auto owner:
The main "ups" of buying a used car are the lower initial purchase price, as well as lower property taxes (where applicable) and insurance costs. The main "downs" of buying a used car are that it's a used car, not new -- so there's no new car warranty and you are more vulnerable to used car problems that could cost you money, as well as aggravation.
Q. I bought a plasma TV from Circuit City last year and paid for an extended warranty. Now that the company is going out of business, what happens to the warranty? - Brad Singleterry, Houston
Is it safe to buy a new car from General Motors or Chrysler right now? President Obama says it is and he is putting money up to guarantee it.
Congratulations. You've successfully negotiated the purchase price of your new or used car or truck. You've made a great deal.
If your steak is undercooked (or just plain mangy) you can always send it back -- or at least get a refund.
When she put her six-year-old Seattle, Washington, home on the market a few months ago, real estate broker Reba Haas knew darn well she needed an edge.
"Isn't it covered under my warranty?" This question is asked thousands of times a day in dealership service departments around the country.
Tobacco companies can be sued under state laws for deceptive advertising of "light cigarettes," the Supreme Court ruled in a closely divided ruling Monday.
General Motors has repeatedly said that "bankruptcy is not an option," largely because it's afraid no one will want to buy from a carmaker that might go under, leaving customers with a worthless warranty.
A company is recalling nearly 300,000 pounds of meat because of contamination fears. CNN's Elizabeth Cohen reports.
Okay, you've decided what model of car you want to buy. And you know, more or less, how much you want to spend -- or how much you can afford. You've kicked tires, talked to salesmen, taken a few shiny new numbers for a test-drive and you're ready to make the deal.
The Humane Society of the United States is partly responsible for the magnitude of the largest beef recall in the nation's history, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said Thursday.
A company where rough treatment of cows was caught on video agrees to a record beef recall. CNN's Judy Echavez reports.
CNN's Kiran Chetry talks with an assistant administrator for the USDA about the largest beef recall in U.S. history.
Federal officials are trying to track down the 143 million pounds of beef recalled Sunday, but they say that most of it has probably been eaten.
You can spend hours negotiating the price of a new car, but even after you shake hands, the wheeling and dealing is far from over.
Big Al, the used car dealer with that small lot down on the corner, may be your mother's cousin, but that doesn't mean you'll get the best used car deal in town from him. He sells all brands of cars, has no visible shop or mechanical staff, and he is the only one that stands behind the quality of his cars ... until the rear tires clear his driveway.
Here are some frequently asked automotive questions put to expert Tom Torbjornsen.
Toy industry executives met Thursday to hammer out tough new safety measures for toy makers, including a requirement that would make testing mandatory.
Buying a brand new car with a complete, free, factory warranty is one thing. Buying a certified used car from a dealership is usually a worry-free proposition, too. But buying a used car from someone you don't know is another thing entirely.
The CEO of Mattel Inc. insisted Tuesday that his company has "rigorous standards" and apologized as the company was forced to recall millions of toys for the second time in two weeks.
CNN's Allan Chernoff reports on reactions from the public, government and Mattel after the company's latest toy recall.
Toy recalls this year have shocked America but dangerous items are still on store shelves, an advocacy group says.
President Bush on Tuesday said he backed tougher product safety measures that would give mandatory recall authority to the Food and Drug Administration and increase penalties on companies that import unsafe products into the United States.
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt discuss proposed new powers for agencies that regulate food and consumer goods.
Dr. Walter Friedel had successfully completed plenty of do-it-yourself projects around his New Jersey home. So when he bought Stand 'n Seal tile grout sealer from Home Depot in October 2005, he never imagined it might make him sick.
Legislation that would overhaul the federal agency in charge of consumer product safety is making it way through Congress, according to published reports.
About 1 million baby seats sold at major U.S. retailers are being recalled after the Consumer Product Safety Commission received 28 reports of serious head injuries, including three skull fractures, after young children fell out of the seats when they were placed on tables.
Chrysler recently instituted a "lifetime" - yes, your lifetime - powertrain warranty for its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. If you're shopping for a car and comparing warranty coverage, "lifetime" sounds tough to beat.
More toys with lead-contaminated paint will be recalled in the coming weeks, a source with knowledge of the announcements said Wednesday.
The cherished dinner hour void of telemarketers could vanish next year for millions of people when phone numbers begin dropping off the national Do Not Call list
About one million Chinese-made, Simplicity brand cribs are being recalled after three infants died and seven were trapped when the drop side of cribs detached causing a dangerous gap, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What changes in regulation have been made to protect produce? CNN's Allan Chernoff explains.
The cherished dinner hour void of telemarketers could vanish next year for millions of people when phone numbers begin dropping off the national Do Not Call list.
A top Chinese official blames importers, exporters and illegal companies for problems with certain products sent from his country to the United States, and declined Thursday to directly express government regret for the incidents.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Tuesday an agreement with Chinese officials aimed at stopping the use of lead paint on Chinese-made toys that are exported to the United States.
Mattel CEO Robert Eckert made another public apology Wednesday over unsafe toys that were made in China, and sought to convince a Senate panel that the company was determined to avoid more recalls in the future.
The Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday it warned more than 200 companies about "potentially deceptive" mortgage advertisements that give borrowers a false impression of the cost of home loans.
Mattel and its CEO will face questions from House and Senate panels in the coming weeks about procedures for alerting federal regulators about hazardous toys and the problems of recalls of products made in China, according to a published report.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Mattel, announced a recall of 844,000 toys that contain excessive levels of lead paint Tuesday night - the third such recall of Chinese-manufactured toys by Mattel this summer.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating whether Mattel "knowingly" withheld information regarding potential safety risks associated with its toys that were involved in a major recall last month, according to a published report Tuesday.
When it comes to consumer recalls, do we care more about our pets than our children?
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer vowed Friday to take legislative action on the recent federal recall of lead-contaminated and hazardous toys because it does not require retailers to take the products off store shelves.
Mattel announced another major recall of toys made in China, feeding international worries about the safety of products made in China. What can you do to keep your child safe?
Certain vinyl baby bibs sold at Toys "R" Us stores appear to be contaminated with lead, but this latest Chinese-made product to raise safety concerns is not being recalled.
Mattel Inc.'s Fisher-Price division is issuing a global recall of 1.5 million toys made in China because their paint may contain too much lead, marking the latest in a string of recalls that have fueled U.S.-China tensions over the safety of Chinese products.
The scar has faded over his left eye, but the fireworks injury that Tony Wittmann suffered when he was 17 taught him a lesson that he hasn't forgotten.
Fireworks could spark danger
President Bush's choice to head the Consumer Product Safety Commission withdraws. It's a rare setback for the Administration's crusade to turn lobbyists into regulators
With many airlines adopting new baggage-weight restrictions, luggage manufacturers have shaved pounds off their suitcases. How does that affect durability?
According to last Friday's New York Times, Honda is aiming to be known as the safety company. Honda, says the Times,"is promoting safety as an essential part of its public image" and "wants to join Volvo as an automaker best known for safety."
Customer satisfaction among American consumers for a wide range of goods and services reached an all-time high at the end of 2006, according to a survey of consumers published Tuesday.
Of the more than 670,000 consumer fraud complaints made to the Federal Trade Commission in 2006, identity theft was the biggest category of reported cases, accounting for 36 percent of calls.
With all those cool cars at the Detroit Auto Show, it's tempting to start your search for a new set of wheels. But before you step foot in a dealership, you need to know how to avoid car financing traps.
The holidays may conjure images of sugarplums and fairies...and let's face it... toys for children of all ages. But it's not all fun and games.
Volkswagen has the best "certified pre-owned" car program of any non-luxury brand, according to a survey by IntelliChoice.com.
Money Magazine: Behind the Buzzupdated: Wed Nov 01 2006 00:01:00
THIS MONTH: Detroit's new warranties
IBM and computer maker Lenovo announced Thursday a recall of 526,000 laptop batteries worldwide made by Sony Corp. because of a fire risk.
General Motors Corp., struggling to stem continued market-share losses and lift the perception of poor quality, on Wednesday announced a 100,000-mile, five-year powertrain warranty.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said Thursday that the Austin Board of Realtors agreed to end a policy the FTC claims violates anti-trust laws and harms consumers by inflating costs.
Money Magazine: Deal or No Deal?updated: Sat Jul 01 2006 00:01:00
Just like the mysterious "banker" on Deal or No Deal, sellers of all sorts dangle tempting offers before you. And like the contestants on the TV show, you're often left trying to make a decision wi...
Tiffany and Co. agreed to pay a $262,500 civil penalty to settle allegations that it failed to report a hazard with its infant teether rattles, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said Wednesday.
CNNMoney: Getting off the gridupdated: Thu May 11 2006 11:29:00
Wish you could sever the ties to your electric company? With alternate energy it may just be possible.
Government regulators are cracking down on companies that claim to remove negative information from consumer credit reports.
The Federal Trade Commission has levied the largest fine in its history against consumer data broker ChoicePoint Inc. for the company's failure to protect consumer privacy and violations of federal laws that resulted in 800 cases of identity theft.
Home heating costs are expected to be about 25 percent higher this year. What's even more chilling is that during the winter months, there is at least one death a day from alternative heating sources, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Every new year we make the same promise to shed some pounds. If you're not the gym type, Five Tips is going to tell you what you'll want to know before investing in exercise equipment.
What do dolls and ponies have in common with crossbows and energy beam blasters? They're all toys that have the potential to cause childhood injuries, or even death, according to an organization advocating toy safety.
A federal safety agency announced Wednesday the recall of approximately 1.5 million food processors due to risk of cuts or amputation of a finger tip.
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