Toshiba Laptop Battery Recall
Toshiba has identified a problem with some of the batteries in Toshiba portable computers manufactured between March and May of 2006. The affected batteries simply stop working, i.e. they stop accepting a charge, and they no longer supply power to the computer. They do not overheat, or pose any safety related issue or concern.
The affected batteries were sold with several Toshiba portable computer models, and were also sold as accessories. The problem has been fixed by the third-party battery vendor, and batteries manufactured since June 1, 2006 are not affected by this problem.
Toshiba is offering to replace affected batteries with new batteries, free of charge. This offer extends to affected batteries only - those that are known to have this problem. Toshiba will replace affected batteries whether or not they have actually failed, with the intention that as few customers as possible will ever experience the problem.
Canon Desktop Copier Recall
Name of Product: Canon Desktop Copiers
Units: About 800,000
Manufacturer: Canon Inc., of Japan
Importer: Canon U.S.A. Inc., of Lake Success, N.Y.
Hazard: An improperly fitting electrical connection inside the copiers can cause overheating, smoking and fire.
Incidents/Injuries: Canon U.S.A. has received six reports of NP1020 model copiers starting to smoke or catching on fire due to the problem with the electrical connection. No injuries were reported.
John Deere Gas Barbecue Grill Recall
Name of Product: John Deere Gas Barbecue Grills
Units: About 3,100
Manufacturer: Onward Manufacturing, of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Importer: Mi-T-M Corporation, of Peosta, Iowa
Retailer: Deere & Company, of Moline, Ill.
Hazard: Operating the grill in windy conditions can blow the flame under the control panel, causing the grill to overheat or cause flashbacks. Flames could damage the hose that supplies gas to the burner, causing an uncontrolled flame. Also, the grill’s control knobs could overheat, resulting in burns to hands.
Incidents/Injuries: Mi-T-M Corporation has received one report of a minor burn received when the user touched a grill’s control knob that had overheated due to the flame blowing under the control panel.
FTC Stops Nationwide Debt Negotiation Scheme
September 21, 2006 by Bill
Filed under Scams & Frauds
Fraudulent Program Preyed on Financially Desperate Consumers
As requested by the Federal Trade Commission, a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against a nationwide operation that claimed it could reduce consumers’ debt by up to 60 percent, leading many people into financial ruin and bankruptcy. The FTC charged five companies, including Homeland Financial Services, National Support Services and Prosper Financial Solutions, and their principals with deceptive and unfair practices in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act.
“These defendants are charged with targeting consumers who were knee deep in debt and luring them with false promises,” said Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Consumers should be leery of anyone who says they can eliminate your unsecured debt, or that you can pay it off for pennies on the dollar. Debt negotiation can be very risky.”
FTC Stops Scheme That Did Not Deliver on Post Office Job Promises
September 21, 2006 by Bill
Filed under Scams & Frauds
Settlement Reminds Consumers Postal Jobs Are Not Found In Classified Ads
An operation that promised to help consumers register for and obtain postal employment, but allegedly did neither, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they violated federal law. The FTC will collect approximately $540,000 from the defendants to be used for consumer redress.
The FTC alleged that the defendants, Success Express, Inc., d/b/a Success Express; Exam Resource Center, Inc., d/b/a Exam Resource; Occupational Advancement Center, Inc., d/b/a Occupational Advancement and OAC; Employment Resource, LLC, d/b/a Employment Resources; David James Daniell a/k/a David James; Wanda J. Taugner; and Kathy L. Stafford, placed ads across the country in employment guides and newspapers. The FTC alleged that the ads led consumers to believe that the defendants were hiring for postal jobs and were connected with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
FTC Puts a Permanent Halt to Illegal Spamming Operations
September 21, 2006 by Bill
Filed under Privacy, Scams & Frauds
The Federal Trade Commission has brought a permanent halt to four illegal spamming operations – including one that offered the opportunity to “date lonely wives” and two that hijacked the computers of unwitting third parties and used them to pelt consumers with graphic sexually explicit e-mail. The FTC charged the operators with sending spam that violated provisions of the CAN-SPAM Act, and has halted the illegal spamming.
The CAN-SPAM Act requires that a spam e-mail contain accurate header and subject lines, identify itself as an ad, and include the sender’s postal address. It also requires that the spam give recipients an opt-out method, so consumers can elect not to receive messages from the spammer in the future. To ensure that consumers are not exposed content they do not wish to view, the Adult Labeling Rule requires that senders use the phrase “SEXUALLY EXPLICIT: ”in the subject line of sexually explicit e-mail messages and ensure that the initially viewable area of the message does not contain graphic sexual images. The consent agreements announced today settle charges that the spammers violated the CAN-SPAM Act, the Adult Labeling Rule, or both.
Syria Travel Warning
This Travel Warning is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to increased security concerns in Syria following the September 12 attack against the U.S. Embassy in Damascus. As a result, the Department of State has authorized the departure of dependents and non-emergency employees at the U.S. Embassy in Damascus on a voluntary basis. In light of these security concerns in Syria, the Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Syria. American citizens currently in Syria should carefully evaluate their own security situations and consider departing.
On September 12, the U.S. Embassy in Damascus was attacked by assailants using improvised explosives, gunfire, and two vehicles laden with explosives. However, the Embassy perimeter was not breached and, other than injuries suffered by two local guards, no U.S. Embassy personnel were harmed. This attack underscores the presence of terrorist groups in Syria that have the ability and intent to target American interests. The Embassy is working with the Syrian authorities to address these threats and the security issues raised by the attack on the Embassy.
Thailand Travel Announcement
This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. Citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand to the recent military coup in Thailand. This Public Announcement expires December 19.
On September 19 a military group calling itself the Council for Democratic Reform Under the Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) seized control of the Thai government and declared martial law. The CDRM banned any political gathering of more than five persons. The CDRM also banned the hoarding of goods or the increasing of the price of goods of any kind. The CDRM announced it will appoint a civilian government within two weeks as the first step to returning the country to democratic government.
Portugal Travel Announcement
This Public Announcement is being issued to inform U.S. citizens of Hurricane Gordon, which is expected to reach the Azores Islands region of Portugal beginning on the afternoon or early evening of September 19. This Public Announcement expires on September 22.
According to National Hurricane Center projections, hurricane Gordon is expected to reach the Western Azorean Islands on the afternoon or evening of September 19 and remain a hurricane as it moves eastward over the remaining islands for the next 24 hours. U.S. citizens should monitor The National Hurricane Center’s website http://www.nhc.noaa.gov for the most up-to-date track of the hurricane.
E.coli outbreak in spinach
Case Reports
To date, 146 cases of illness due to E. coli infection have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including 23 cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), 76 hospitalizations, and one death. Illnesses continue to be reported to CDC. This is considered to be an ongoing investigation.
States Affected
Arizona and Colorado have just been added to the list of states with confirmed cases. There are now 23 affected states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.