Topic: Consumer Protection

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Leap Year: this day in the history of Feb. 29

We don’t mean to state the obvious, but Feb. 29 happens once every four years (usually) – and leap year is here again. That means a whole day's worth of news will tomorrow be added to this date's comparatively small archive.
Five major SOPA supporters

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its Senate counterpart, the Protect IP Act or PIPA, would allow the US government to seek a court order and even shut down websites that contain content or links “committing or facilitating online piracy.” Moreover, advertisers and Internet service providers would be banned from doing business with violators.
However, payment and advertising networks, search engines or service providers that take voluntary action to redress detected violations – by terminating businesses with transgressor sites or comply with the law – will be granted immunity from liability charges.
On Sept. 22, 2011, more than 350 trade associations, professional and labor organizations, and businesses signed a letter urging Congress to enact legislation to stop “rogue sites” from copyright infringement.
Here are five key SOPA and PIPA supporters:
Christmas toys: Five ways to make sure they're safe

How are parents ensured that their children's new toys are safe? Here are five ways to stay informed.
Six major food recalls

Cargill has recalled roughly 36 million pounds of ground turkey products distributed nationwide. How does that compare with past food recalls?
In Pictures: Hobbits around the world

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The Simple Dollar
Want a deal? Consider a refurbished model.

Refurbished models can save you a lot of money with minimal risk, but you have to be a bit careful when doing it.
Jeep Wrangler recall: Are you eligible?

Jeep Wrangler recall hit nearly 87,000 SUVs. Chrysler says a fire risk in the 2010 model brought on this Jeep Wrangler recall.
In Gear
Jeep Wranglers recalled for potential fire hazard

Jeep Wrangler models from 2010 are being recalled by Chrysler due to a flaw in the design of the skid plate that protects the transmission, which could ultimately result in a fire.The problem affects 67,872 vehicles.
Pet food recall that won't end? Diamond cat food now risky.

Pet food recall from Diamond Pet Foods has been expanded eight times, triggered an FDA investigation and critique, and now includes cat food. The company's handling of the salmonella crisis may be even worse.
Saving Money
Buying and selling timeshares: eight tips

In the current market, finding and buying a timeshare is easy. Selling one is a different story. Here are four tips for each that could help.
Honda recall involves 53,000 Acura TL sedans

Honda recall of nearly 53,000 sedans in the US is due to a problem with power steering hoses. Acura sedans from 2007 and 2008 are part of the Honda recall.
Pet food recall 2012 now includes 39 states

Pet food recall 2012 involves brands including Kirkland, Premium Edge, and Diamond Naturals, manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. The biggest pet food recall 2012 has been expanded multiple times since April. Counting additional recalls by separate brands manufactured in the Diamond Pet Foods facility, affected dog food has been sold in 39 states.
Key congressman, Peter King, defends head of Secret Service

Congressman Peter King says this is no time to oust the agency director, based on what is known so far about the recall of 11 agents from Colombia.
Credit cards: No move to limit big fees?

Credit cards can charge nearly $100 processing, activation fees for opening an account for subprime borrowers. But financial protection board is backing away from push to regulate the initial credit card fees.
Car recalls: Ford Focus is latest. Is yours on the list?

Car recalls now include Ford Focus manufactured between August 2010 and October 2011. Ford recall involves windshield-wiper motor defect.
1940 Census data: A treasure trove for con artists?

Data from the 1940 census, released Monday, has excited Americans looking for more information about their heritage. But the information could also help identity thieves.
BMW recall affects 1.3 million cars. Is yours on the list?

BMW recall involves all 5- and 6-Series BMWs manufactured between 2003 and 2010, which may have an electrical problem. The BMW recall is almost as big as the company's worldwide sales last year.
Checking fees too high? Customers eye credit unions.

Checking fees, other charges caused credit unions to gain double the normal number of customers. Mulling more hikes in checking fees, big banks could lose more customers, advocates say.
Google privacy changes allow company to dig deeper into users' lives: Q&A

Google says the changes will make its privacy policy easier to understand. Critics argue that Google is trampling on people's privacy rights in its relentless drive to sell more ads.
Keep Calm
Interpol arrests Anonymous hackers: Do they warrant the attention?

Anonymous hackers were allegedly preparing to shut down Chilean and Colombian government websites. But these attacks are like digital graffiti.
Leap Year: this day in the history of Feb. 29

We don’t mean to state the obvious, but Feb. 29 happens once every four years (usually) – and leap year is here again. That means a whole day's worth of news will tomorrow be added to this date's comparatively small archive.
White House releases 'privacy bill of rights': what it promises online consumers

While falling short of law, the consumer 'privacy bill of rights' would give consumers 'new legal and technical tools to safeguard their privacy,' according to the White House.
Honda recall involves Odyssey minivans. Is yours on the list?

Honda recall targets 45,800 Odyssey minivans made in 2008 and early 2009. The Honda recall is due to problems with lifts that hold up the rear tailgate door.
iPhone tracking: Is Google breaking its privacy pledge?

iPhone privacy feature was circumvented to allow Google to track what iPhone users were doing, privacy researcher says. Google settled another privacy case in October.
Infant Tylenol recall: new setback for Johnson & Johnson

Infant Tylenol is being recalled across the US because of faulty bottles. Infant Tylenol is only the latest of some 25 recalls in less than three years for a unit of Johnson & Johnson.
Privacy for children who use mobile apps

App stores and developers are lapse in helping parents protect the privacy of a child using smart phones and tablets. From Google to Apple, finds an FTC report, clear information is needed.
New consumer agency targets debt collectors. Who can argue with that?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which faces stiff GOP opposition, picks what may be politically palatable targets for regulation: debt collectors and the credit-rating industry.
The Simple Dollar
Why you should skip the extended warranty

Most of the time, that initial offer for a service contract or an extended warranty is way overpriced and does little for you.
With Facebook IPO, time to friend privacy

Facebook's IPO, or initial public offering, will lead to shareholder pressure on the firm to squeeze profits out of users' personal data. Google, too, faces more scrutiny as it mines user data even more. Privacy watchdogs need to be on the alert.
Costa Concordia company to offer compensation to ship passengers

Costa Cruises has negotiated with consumer groups compensation worth thousands of dollars to passengers who were aboard the Costa Concordia when it ran aground earlier this month off the Italian coast.