Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Comparing Airfares Gets Trickier
Airlines are beginning to play a not so new game of quoting incomplete prices. American Airlines, for instances, initially shows its fares without taxes and fees added, making them appear more attractive than they really are. By using such tactics, consumers are having a harder time comparing prices on website to another. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Spanish TV Ads Showing Up in Primetime
Se habla Espanol? You better speak Spanish if you want to understand some of the advertising that is popping up on conventional television programming. That's right, ads in Spanish are being tested during English-language programs. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Neuromarketing: Why the Brain Says "Buy"
Scientists are studying the brain to figure out what makes you pick Coke over Pepsi, and what triggers the "buy" response. Once they figure this out, sellers will use neuromarketing techniques to tap into the inner you. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Beware International Credit Card/ATM Fees
Over the past month, new credit card fees have taken effect, whereby you can be charged up to 3% for any purchases you make in a foreign country. There is no easy way around the fees, but some cards are less expensive than others. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Lawyer Sues Spammers For Using His Email Address
It is bad enough that we get so much spam. What happens when a spammer appropriates your email address and sends out thousands of spams using it as the return address? You get a lawsuit, particularly when the address used belongs to a NY lawyer. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Credit "Rescoring" May Help Home Buyers
The results of a California lawsuit may help homeowners who find errors in their credit report, and need a fast fix to qualify for a mortgage. A new breed of credit bureau specializes in "rescoring", and a recent court decision may help them in their competition with the big credit bureaus. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Airlines Try to Lure Customers Back to their own Websites
Move aside Travelocity, Expedia, and Orbitz. The airlines want you to come back to their own websites (so they can save paying those travel services a commission). This article describes what each major site is offering to lure you back. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Bounced Check Regs Under Fire
Some consumer groups are calling the Fed's new rules about bounced check protection offered by banks too weak. This plans can be a big source of fee income for banks, so the federal rules tend to target advertising more than the types of plans offered. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wal-Mart Opens "All You Can Live" Village
Turn the clock ahead about 15 years to 2020. In this fictitious news story, Wal-Mart has opened a township, where all your needs are taken care of for a fixed monthly fee. Imagine being able to go to the store and fill your shopping cart without limit! Of course, to discourage the resale of these "purchases" for profit, each item has an RFID tag. For more current consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Wisconsin Sues Best Buy Over Misrepresentations
The Wisconsin Department of Justice has sued Best Buy alleging that the electronics retailer has misrepresented its rebates, service plans, and other services. This is the third state in recent time to sue the company. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Hackers Demand Ransom for Locked Files
Here's a new one. Hackers break into your computer, encrypt your spreadsheets, and demand money to give you the key to unlock them. What chutzpah! For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.The Donald Unveils "Trump University"
Donald Trump's latest venture is starting an online business school with famous teachers and no degrees. Pretty soon there will be Donald Trump telephone service, toilet paper, and bottled water (oops... that already exists). For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
VIN Cloning Facilitates Sale of Hot Cars
What will they think of next? Now crooks are copying VIN numbers from legitimate cars and using them to doctor the paperwork for stolen cars. So now you have to check not only the engine and the tires of that used car, but also the VIN number. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Robotic Floor Washer Unveiled
From the people who brought you R00mba, the robotic vacuum cleaner, now comes Scooba, the robotic floor washer. Now all they have to do is create the robot that cooks supper. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Enter "Pennypincher of the Year" Contest
Washington Post money columist Michelle Singletary is looking for pennypinchers to feature in her column. If you save money in extraordinary ways, she wants to hear from you. This story requires registration at the Washington Post. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Aging Tires Should be Replaced
For the first time, a US carmaker is advising owners to replace older tires even if the treads still appear to be good. Ford is suggesting tire replacements every six years because of possible tread separation as a tire normally ages. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Net Telcos Give 120 Days to Offer 911
Trying to avert future tragedies, the FCC ordered Internet telephone companies (VoIP) to provide full 911 service. Until now, some calls to 911 went unanswered or were misrouted. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Web Vigilantes Deface Fake PayPal Site
Now the not so bad guys are going after the real bad guy to protect the good guys. These self-appointed web vigilantes are teaching phishers a good lesson. When the posse finds a fake website trying steal people's identities, they deface the site to warn potential victims they have reach a rogue site. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Chase to Intro "Wave" Credit Cards
Imagine never having to swipe your credit card again in one of those store devices (where you never know which way to hold the card). Well, the future is here. Cards that have an RFID chip are about to introduced by Chase, so you will only have to wave the card near a reader (similar to waving your Mobil SpeedPass). Just be sure you don't hang around when the next person in line checks out, or your could wind up paying for their order! For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Beware "Life of the Balance" Credit Card Deals
It may sound enticing: keep this very low rate for the life of the balance you transfer to a particular credit card. There are strings attached, warns the Wall Street Journal. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting."Stars on Cars" May Disclose Crash Ratings
Tucked away in a highway bill is a provision that would require manufacturers to put car crash test results on new car price stickers. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Personal Data is Available for Taking
A republican Senator asked his staff to steal his identity using legal means, and they succeeded. Groups of college students were tasked with digging up as much information as they could on certain individuals. And they succeeded too. Here are more details on how personal data is out there for the taking. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Evil Twins + Pharming = Stolen ID
The two latest wrinkles in the online scamsters' arsenal are known as "evil twins" and pharming. Found out what they are and how to protect yourself. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Supreme Court Overturns Out-of-State Wine Ban
The Supreme Court has rules against states that ban their citizens from purchasing wine from out of state vineyards, if they allow such purchases from similar in-state sites. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Seniors' Memory Losses Aid Scammers
According to a new study, slick scamsters can take advantage of senior citizens' failing memories. This means they are more vulnerable to misinformation which is being offered as fact. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Who's Preying on Your Grandparents?
Slick investment salesmen offer seniors a free meal and a spiel about how much money they will make if they invest in certain annuity products. These unsuspecting senior citizens should know there is no such thing as a free lunch, because many of these investments keep their hard-earned funds tied up until they are in their 80s. Children and grandchildren need to make sure their elders are not getting snuckered by these pitchmen. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Low Sugar Products Replacing Low Carb Ones
The latest buzzword in products is "low sugar". More and more shelf space is being given over to products touting a reduced sugar content. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Free Jr. Frosty at Wendy's
At participating Wendy's locations, May 13 to May 15, you can get a free Jr. Frosty. For more consumer news and bargains, visit Consumer World.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Mass. AG Sues Spammers
The Massachusetts Attorney General has just sued a gang of spammers and obtained an emergency order to shut down their operation. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.There's a Hidden Trap if Estate Tax Repealed
Many people are looking forward to being able to inherit money from their relatives without having to pay estate tax. It goes to zero in 2010, but comes back full force in 2011. Even if it is eliminated permanently, there still lurks a provision that you might have to pain capital gains on property you inherit. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
New Scam Lures Travelers to Fake Wi-Fi Login Sites
Imagine this: you're traveling and try to see if a wi-fi hotspot is nearby so you can check email or conduct other business online. You find a spot and login in ... but it really was a phishing site masquerading as the real wi-fi hotspot ... and now they have your data! It's happening around the world. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Do Stores Check Credit Card Signatures?
An enterprising Boston consumer reporter put major retailers to the test this week. She gave her credit card to other people to use to see whether store clerks would catch the mismatch of buyer's signature with the one on her card. All the purchases went through, virtually without a hitch. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.How Many Calories Do You Need Daily?
Consumer Reports has made available an interactive calculator based on your age, weight, and lifestyle to help you figure out how many calories you need a day. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, May 09, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Consumer Reports Rates Diet Plans
Should you do Weight Watchers, Zone, Atkins, or some other diet? Consumer Reports analyzed them and came up with winners and losers. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
12 Questions to Ask About Balance Transfers
Many people received balance transfer checks from their credit card issuers regularly. Most have strings attached. Do you know what they are? This article explains. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.NY-AG May Target Spyware Next
Forget Wall Street wrongdoing. NY Attorney General Eliot Spitzer may soon go after the makers of spyware, as well as the companies (and advertisers) who benefit from it. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Worried About Credit Inquiries When Car Shopping?
You know the routine. You go into a car dealership, and if you are semi-serious about car buying the dealer will ask if can get a copy of your credit report. You hesitate, because as a smart consumer you fear that too many credit inquiries could do damage to your credit standing or credit score. Now Fair Isaacs, the creator of the credit score, says that it has implemented a new 45-day window where all credit inquiries from car dealers will only count as one inquiry, and should have a negligible effect on your credit score. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tips from Coupon Queens
You say you can't be bothered with coupons? In a single day, one Indiana woman chopped 72% off her grocery bill -- nearly $120 -- by clipping coupons and buying only sale items. This article offers tips from the pros as well as background on couponing in America. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Court Blocks TV Anti-Piracy Rules
The Court of Appeals has struck down an FCC rule requiring that certain devices contained technology (a "broadcast flag") to prevent the copying of digital TV programs. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Spyware Targets Children
What's worse than spyware that targets adults? Spyware that targets children. One software maker visited a few children's sites, and found dozens of spyware and adware programs were added to the computer (which had not been protected by anti-spyware programs). For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Funeral Industry Sued Over Casket Pricing
If you are dying for a bargain on a casket, don't expect to it at any of the defendants' places of business. A consumer group filed a lawsuit against three funeral home chains and the largest maker of caskets claims they were shutting out low-priced competitors. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Target Gives Prescription Bottles a Makeover
Target announced that its pharmacies are now using newly-designed prescription bottles that provide more information and can help reduce medication errors. The bottles are color-coded for different family members. The name of the drug appears on a flat surface making it easier to read. And information about the particular medication is now contained on a folded piece of paper that slips into a slot on the side of the bottle. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
CT-AG to Sue Vonage Over 911 Calls
The Connecticut Attorney General has announced that he is going to sue Vonage, one of the largest providers of voice over IP (Internet telephone calling) for providing misleading or incomplete information about its ability to complete calls to 911. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Airlines Tightening Baggage Limits
More and more airlines are reducing the number of bags allowed to be checked, and if you go over the limit, fees are getting higher. Some airlines are even reducing the maximum allowable weight of luggage pieces before an overweight surcharge applies. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.FLYi: Free Flight If We Lose Your Luggage
Independence Air (flyi.com) is making a novel offer to consumers: if we lose your luggage, you will get a free one-way ticket. Wow! Ooo, ooo, lose mine! For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Check Grocer's Shelves Before Leaving Home
Can you imagine being able to check whether your favorite supermarket has a particular item in stock, before you run down to the store. New software may make that possible. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.How to Hack Your TiVo
People who own TiVo, love TiVo. Imagine if you could do strange and wonderful things with it that were not documented in the manual. You can! Here's how. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
How Phishers Outsmart the Tech Gurus
Everyone these days has a solution to the problem of phishing, but most of them don't work, according to a security firm expert. His opinion piece explains why, and how phishers are more clever than you think. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Note: Some news links may expire one week after posting.Who Pays When Luggage Valuables are Stolen?
Ever since the TSA took over airport security, a controversy has erupted over who is responsible if a passenger claims that something was stolen from his/her luggage. The airlines would love to pin the blame on the TSA, but TSA only has custody of one's luggage only for short time. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.
