Consumer issues

New County-By-County Report Estimates More Than Half a Million New York Seniors Fall Victim to Consumer Fraud

September 16, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - To combat fraud and protect seniors, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today unveiled her plan to crack down on financial fraud against seniors, increase penalties on those scamming seniors, increase awareness of criminal tactics, and hold workshops across New York on financial literacy to empower seniors to protect themselves and their life savings.

A new report from Senator Gillibrand's office estimates that over half a million New York seniors fall victim to consumer fraud each year.    » read more »

September 16, 2009 -- There's a good chance you've been hearing more about biodiesel lately. This article, the first of several short discussions about biodiesel that will appear in the next few months, lays out some of the basic terminology and qualities associated with this fuel. It also begins to illustrate important factors that vary among biodiesel fuels and fuel blends with petroleum diesel - variations that require fuel suppliers to make adjustments in order to ensure that these fuels perform well.    » read more »

September 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to update VA prescription information.

"America’s Veterans have become targets in an inexcusable scam that dishonors their service and misrepresents the Department built for them," said Dr. Gerald Cross, VA’s Under Secretary for Health. "VA simply does not call Veterans and ask them to disclose personal financial information over the phone."

Veteran Service Organizations have brought to VA's attention that callers are misrepresenting the VA to gain personal information over the phone. They say VA recently changed procedures for dispensing prescriptions and ask for the Veteran's credit card number.    » read more »

September 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – This morning, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner hosted Attorney General Eric Holder, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Leibowitz, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Director Jim Freis and attorneys general from 12 states to discuss emerging trends and proactive strategies to combat fraud against consumers in the housing markets as well as best practices to bolster coordination across state and federal agencies.

This meeting follows up on an announcement by the Obama Administration in April of a multi-agency crackdown on foreclosure rescue scams and loan modification fraud designed to protect homeowners from predatory financial practices.    » read more »

(Phoenix, Ariz. – August 4, 2009) Responding to a report issued today on the results of the federal “Making Home Affordable” loan modification program, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard again called upon mortgage loan servicers to ramp up their efforts to help homeowners at risk of foreclosure.

According to the report, Arizona lenders and servicers vary greatly in the results of their modification programs. Many of the lenders with the biggest Arizona market shares have only single-digit success rates in their modification programs.    » read more »

Back-to-School savings, sales more critical than ever for families, businesses and government

August 04, 2009 -- HUNTSVILLE - As the 2009-2010 school year approaches, families in need of back-to-school clothing and supplies will again be able to take advantage of exceptional savings thanks to Alabama’s fourth annual Sales Tax Holiday.

From 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 7 until 12:00 midnight on Sunday, August 9, the state’s four percent sales tax will be waived for certain purchases such as clothing, school supplies, computer equipment and books. In addition to the state removing its sales tax, this year 253 cities and counties throughout the state will waive their local sales taxes, offering consumers even greater savings at the check-out aisle.    » read more »

Bentonville, AR – August 7, 2009 --Sam’s Club has been informed of a USDA recall of Cargill Meat Solutions Ground Beef Products.

Below is the list of recalled items that would have been purchased between the time period of June 16, 2009 through and including July 8, 2009.

* 90% GROUND BEEF COV MAX 10% FAT with a UPC of 0021209400000
* 90% GROUND BEEF COV MAX 10% FAT with a UPC of 0021200200000
* 90%GROUND BEEF PATTY MAX 10% FAT with a UPC of 0021200300000
* GROUND BEEF MAXIMUM 10% FAT with a UPC of 0029200200000
* MAXIMUM 10% FAT REDUCED PRICE PATTY with a UPC of 0029200300000
* 90% GROUND BEEF MAX 10% FAT/CASE ONLY with a UPC of 0021204700000    » read more »

RALEIGH (July 8, 2009) -- Progress Energy has launched two new programs that offer customers information and incentives to encourage energy-efficiency improvements in existing homes. The Home Energy Improvement Program and Customized Home Energy Report provide customers tools -- including rebates and action plans -- to help them lower energy usage and save money.

Home Energy Improvement Program -- This program offers rebates for home improvements such as heating and cooling upgrades, duct testing and repair, energy-efficient window installation, attic insulation and air sealing. Customers can select from a list of prequalified contractors to perform the work.    » read more »

Natural gas delivery rate change to be effective in 2010

July 1, 2009 -- CINCINNATI -- Duke Energy Kentucky announced today it has filed a request with the Kentucky Public Service Commission seeking a rate increase for natural gas delivery service of approximately $17.5 million, or 14 percent on total gas revenues, to be effective in early 2010.

For an average residential customer using 70 ccf (ccf is 100 cubic feet, the standard unit of measure) of natural gas per month, the monthly bill will increase 17.9 percent, from $75.15 to $88.59, based on Duke Energy Kentucky's current rates for delivery.    » read more »

Less Than 20% Of Consumers Trust Food They Buy Is Safe and Healthy, IBM Survey Reveals; Spotlights Consumer Attitudes on Food Products in Light of Outbreaks and Recalls

Armonk, NY -- - 24 Jun 2009 -- A new IBM (NYSE: IBM) study reveals that less than 20 percent of consumers trust food companies to develop and sell food products that are safe and healthy for themselves and their families. The study also shows that 60 percent of consumers are concerned about the safety of food they purchase, and 63 percent are knowledgeable about the content of the food they buy.    » read more »

But May Not Be Adjusting Maintenance Habits; Survey Shows a Potential Gap Between What Drivers Should Be Doing and What They Are Doing

June 22, 2009 -- FAIRFAX, Va. -- Drivers intend to keep their vehicles longer than they originally intended, but may not be adjusting their maintenance habits to keep pace with their change in plans. This finding is the result of a recent auto maintenance survey commissioned by ExxonMobil.    » read more »

June 20, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Barack Obama explained the necessity of his proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency. It is clear that one of the major causes of the current economic crisis was a breakdown of oversight leading to widespread abuses in the financial world.

The Consumer Financial Protection Agency will have the sole job of looking out for the financial interests of ordinary Americans by banning unfair practices and enforcing the rules. This is the type of reform that will attack the causes of the current crisis and prevent further crises from taking place.

The audio and video will be available at 6:00am Saturday, June 20, 2009 at www.whitehouse.gov.

Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- With the arrival of summer in the Carolinas, Duke Energy encourages customers to take steps to conserve energy and manage their summer cooling bills. It's also a good time to be reminded of special assistance programs offered through Duke Energy.

Energy-Saving Information

Some top tips on managing energy consumption include:

1. Close window coverings during the day. During peak cooling hours, solar heat gain can account for one-third of the load on an air conditioner. When home, close the drapes on the sunny side of the house or close all window coverings if leaving for the day.    » read more »

Customers have already saved nearly $3 billion since 2002 as a result of investments in cleaner, more efficient power plants

June 18, 2009 -- JUNO BEACH, Fla. – Florida Power & Light Company’s investments in making its power plants among the cleanest and most efficient in the country have saved customers nearly $3 billion in fuel costs since 2002, and continued investment is expected to yield customer savings totaling $1 billion every year beginning in 2014.    » read more »

"A Step Forward for Rhode Islanders Caught in Credit Traps"

June 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - President Obama's new plan to toughen federal regulation of financial products like mortgages, credit cards, and retirement accounts will help level the playing field for Rhode Islanders like Ryan Kamphuis, who saw his interest rate skyrocket when he paid one bill late after having been hospitalized for weeks, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) said today.    » read more »