Oceanic Recalls Digital Dive Computer Due to Decompression Hazard
Name of Product: Versa Pro 2A Digital Dive Computer
Units: About 6,100
Manufacturer: Oceanic, of San Leandro, Calif.
Hazard: When using the dive computer set for “User Selected Digital Gauge Mode,” the “Elapsed Dive Time” displayed can exceed the actual elapsed time under water. This can cause divers to ascend before fulfilling a decompression obligation, resulting in decompression sickness.
Incidents/Injuries: Oceanic has received one report of the dive computers malfunctioning. No injuries have been reported.
Adjmi Apparel Group Recalls Reebok Children Windsuits for Choking Hazard
Name of Product: Reebok Children’s Windsuit
Units: About 55,000
Manufacturer: Adjmi Apparel Group, of New York, N.Y. (Adjmi is an authorized licensee of children’s apparel products of Reebok International Ltd., of Canton, Mass.)
Hazard: The Reebok logo appliqué on the clear rubber zipper pull on the jacket can detach, posing a choking or aspiration hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: Reebok has received one report of a child that began to choke from a detached Reebok logo appliqué. No injuries have been reported.
American Suzuki Motor Recalls All-Terrain Vehicles for Crash Hazard
Name of Product: Suzuki 2006 model year QuadRacer ATVs
Units: About 6,300
Distributor: American Suzuki Motor Corp., of Brea, Calif.; Montgomery Motors, Ltd., of Honolulu, Hawaii; Suzuki del Caribe, of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Hazard: The cushion lever mounting bracket on the ATV frame can break. If this occurs the rider could lose control of the ATV and crash, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Incidents/Injuries: Suzuki has received 27 reports of the cushion lever mounting bracket breaking, resulting in one report of a head injury.
Nine West Footwear Recalls Sandals for Laceration Hazard
Name of Product: Sam & Libby Girl’s Thong Sandals
Units: About 6,700 pairs
Distributors: Nine West Footwear Corp. of White Plains, N.Y.
Hazard: The sandals’ metal tacks, which help to hold down the sides of the strap to the sole, can detach or be pulled out, posing a laceration hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: No incident or injuries reported.
Telemarketer Pays the Price for Using Unscrubbed Lead Lists
A Southern California-based mortgage broker will pay $50,000 under a court order filed today on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission for allegedly calling tens of thousands of consumers who are on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry for telemarketers and for failing to pay the annual fee required to access the DNC Registry. In addition, the company and its officers are permanently barred from violating the DNC provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) and from making illegal telemarketing calls in the future.
Postal Scam Settles with FTC
June 22, 2006 by Bill
Filed under Scams & Frauds
About 27,600 Purchasers Paid for Worthless Materials
An operation that sold worthless prep materials for post office jobs that didn’t exist, will give up almost all of their assets to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the scam violated federal law. The defendants will give up property worth about $45,000.
The FTC charged that the operation misrepresented an affiliation with the Postal Service, the availability of postal jobs, and that getting a score of 90 or better on a postal entrance exam guarantees applicants a job. The FTC also alleged that using their test preparation materials would not help anyone to pass the postal exam, contrary to their claims, and that the defendants misrepresented that the fee to purchase the materials was fully refundable.
Discount Health Card Seller and Its Telemarketer to Pay Combined 350k Penalty for Do Not Call Violations
A seller of discount health and prescription drug cards and its telemarketer will pay civil penalties of $300,000 and $50,000, respectively, to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they have been violating the Do Not Call (DNC) provisions of the Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), and will be prohibited from similar conduct in the future, the agency announced today. At the Commission’s request, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed the complaint and proposed stipulated consent orders in Federal District Court in New York City. This is the Commission’s first case to highlight the application of DNC provisions to corporate affiliates.
Philipines Travel Warning
This Travel Warning updates information on the security situation and reminds Americans of the risks of travel to the Philippines. Terrorist groups and radical insurgents continue to plan multiple attacks throughout the Philippines. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Philippines dated March 23, 2005.
The Department of State urges American citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to the Philippines and continues to warn against all but essential travel throughout the country in light of heightened threats to Westerners. The Department also continues to urge Americans who choose to travel to the Philippines to observe vigilant personal security precautions, and to remain aware of the continued potential for terrorist attacks, including those against U.S. citizens. Terrorist groups, including Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group, continue to plan multiple attacks throughout the Philippines, as do some radical insurgents who have broken away from Moro groups. Explosive devices have been placed in shopping malls, on public transportation, at airports and port facilities, in places of worship, and in other public areas resulting in numerous casualties and deaths. No area of the Philippines is immune from the possibility of a terrorist attack, although the southern island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are particularly affected. One of three bombs that exploded on February 14, 2005 was planted on a bus near an upscale commercial district of Makati, Metro Manila, killing four people. In December 2005, the U.S. Embassy closed its public services for two days in response to threat information. Travelers should be aware that since security has increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists might seek softer targets. Such targets could include, but are not limited to, places where Americans and other Westerners might live, congregate, shop or visit, including hotels, beach resorts, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or public recreation events.
Electronic Pressure Cookers Sold by QVC Recalled Due to Burn Hazard
Name of Product: Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cookers
Units: About 900
Retailer: QVC Inc., of West Chester, Pa.
Hazard: The lid on these pressure cookers can open prematurely while contents are under pressure, and hot contents can be expelled posing a burn hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: QVC has no known reports of consumer incidents or injuries associated with this product. QVC is voluntarily implementing this recall based on 43 reports of failure incidents, including 37 reports of burn injuries, reported by another retailer that sold the same model Welbilt electronic pressure cooker. The known burn injuries include various degrees of burns, including at least four third degree burns.
Foldable Steel Hammock Stand Sold at Lowe’s Stores Recalled
Name of Product: Garden Treasures Foldable Steel Hammock Stand
Units: About 1,000
Importer: LG Sourcing Inc., of North Wilkesboro, N.C.
Manufacturer: Shin Crest PTE, Ltd, of China
Hazard: The welds attaching the arms to the frame of the hammock stand can fail, allowing the hammock to fall. Users can be injured from falling to the ground, striking the hammock stand’s base, or being struck by the arms of the hammock stand.
Incidents/Injuries: There have been three reports of the hammock stands breaking at the welds. Six people have reported injuries from falling, including a head laceration requiring stitches, bruises and neck and back pain.