Venezuela Travel Announcement
This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. Citizens traveling to and residing in Venezuela of the collapse of the first bridge on the Caracas-La Guaira highway and the closure of the alternate bridge bypass route (la trocha). The highway is the principal link between Caracas and Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS), as well as between Caracas and the country’s principal seaport, La Guaira. This Public Announcement updates the Public Announcement issued January 11, 2006; it expires on December 5, 2006.
Heavy rains and shifting soil have caused the temporary closure of the alternate bridge bypass route while the Government of Venezuela works on structures to contain additional landslides. The Government expects the bypass to be closed on an intermittent basis for an indefinite period, including regular closures between 10 pm and 4 am. During bypass closures, traffic will be diverted to the Carretera Vieja (old highway) and Al Limon roads. In addition, the route through Galipán remains open to traffic. There continues to be a security presence on the alternate roads.
File Sharing Operator Settles FTC Charges
May 31, 2006 by Bill
Filed under Scams & Frauds
“100 Percent Legal” Claim Alleged to Be 100 Percent False
An operator who deceptively claimed that membership in his Web site would allow users of peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing programs to transfer copyrighted materials without violating the law has agreed to settle FTC charges that his claims were false. The settlement bars misrepresentations about P2P file-sharing products or services, requires that the operator disclose the civil and criminal liability risks of downloading copyrighted material without the owner’s permission, and requires that the operator refund more than $15,000 to the customers he duped into buying memberships.
Don’t Get Tripped Up When Traveling
May 31, 2006 by Bill
Filed under Scams & Frauds
FTC’s New Game Helps Consumers “Gear Up for a Great Trip”
When planning a vacation this summer, consumers need to protect themselves not only from too much sun, but also from travel scams. The FTC’s new game, “Gear Up for a Great Trip,” is available in English and Spanish at www.ftc.gov/travel and www.ftc.gov/viajar. As players help animated travelers gear up for vacation, they get tips for their own travel planning, including:
Court Sticks Envelope-Stuffing Pitchman with Civil Contempt Judgment
May 31, 2006 by Bill
Filed under Scams & Frauds
Defendant Mark E. Shelton Engaged in “Pattern or Practice of Contemptuous Conduct;” Ordered by Court to Pay $1.49 Million
The Federal Trade Commission today announced that a civil contempt judgment was entered against Mark E. Shelton, a defendant who was previously ordered to stop an envelope-stuffing scam in 2004. The contempt judgment held that Shelton violated the 2004 court order by continuing to deceptively market and sell envelope-stuffing, work-at-home opportunities to consumers. Under the judgment, Shelton has been held liable for $1.49 million in consumer harm and permanently banned from participating in any work-at-home, employment, business, or investment opportunities in the future.
Masterbuilt Electric Smokehouse Smokers Recalled
Name of Product: Electric Smokehouse Smokers
Units: About 10,700
Manufacturer: Masterbuilt Manufacturing Inc., of Columbus Ga.
Hazard: Smoldering wood chips used in the wood chip box can ignite into flames when the door of the unit is opened, posing a risk of burn injuries to users and property damage to nearby combustibles.
Incidents/Injuries: Masterbuilt has received two reports of units that were damaged as a result of wood chip flare-ups. No injuries or property damage were reported.
Yamaha Ceiling and Wall Speakers Recalled
Name of Product: Yamaha In-Ceiling and In-Wall Speakers.
Units: About 4,300 units.
Distributor: Yamaha Electronics Corporation, of Buena Park, Calif.
Hazard: On some speakers, the mounting clamps can break causing the speaker to fall. Falling speakers could possibly hit consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Yamaha has received 14 reports of falling speakers. No injuries have been reported.
Walmart Lighted Mirror Recalled
Name of Product: Simply Basic Lighted Mirror
Units: About 110,000
Importer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.
Hazard: Exposed wires inside the mirror could pose an electrical shock hazard to the user when they touch the mirror.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
CPSC Warns of Dangers After a Hurricane or Power Outage Hits
Carbon Monoxide from Portable Generators Can Kill You in Minutes
During Hurricane Preparedness Week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to take steps to safeguard their families when using a portable generator. If your power is out due to a hurricane, or for any reason, operating your generator safely can mean the difference between life and death.
The exhaust from generators contains poisonous carbon monoxide, an odorless, invisible killer. “The amount of carbon monoxide from one generator is equivalent to hundreds of idling cars,” said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. “Carbon monoxide from a portable generator can kill you and your family in minutes.”
In 2005, at least 55 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with portable generators. The aftermath of last year’s four major hurricanes resulted in a majority (28) of those deaths.
Kawasaki 06 Motorcycle Recall
Kawasaki 2006 ZX1400A6F Motorcycles (Fri, 26 May 2006) On certain motorcycles, the bolts holding the vehicle down sensor may come loose and allow the sensor to fall out of its mounting bracket. If the bolts loosen and the vehicle down sensor comes out of its bracket, the engine may stop during the vehicle operation creating hte potential for a crash resulting in injury or death.
Volkswagen 98-02 Jetta and New Beetle Recall
Volkswagen 1998-2002 Jetta and New Beetle Passenger Vehicles (Wed, 24 May 2006) On certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly during safety recalls 03V-265 or 04V-096. The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.