Consumer alert!

Holmes brand oil-filled electric heaters have been found to be a fire hazard.

There have been dozens of incidents involving the Chinese-made heaters.

Consumers can learn how to get a free replacement here.

Acer notebook computers have some of those Sony battery packs that can overheat and pose a fire hazard.

Find out how to get a replacement battery here.

With the broad recall of various kinds of pet foods, an article in Sunday’s Parade magazine was particularly timely. It talked about the benefits and drawbacks to pet health insurance.

Most pet owners know that even routine pet health care can be pricey. The article has some eye-opening facts, and it’s written by a veterinarian.

Check it out here.

The article in Tuesday’s Evening News about the cow plop fundraiser for the Make A Wish Foundation provider a reminder that the Foundation relies on local fundraisers and individual donations to do its work, but doesn’t participate in chain letter or chain e-mail appeals.

Such efforts either are frauds or fruitless endeavors by well-intentioned people.

Here’s the Foundation’s position on chain letter appeals.

The folks at F-Secure say they’ve noticed a growing trend in bogus e-mailed messages that appear to be from the online military versions of well-known banks. They are another attempt to capture personal information and defraud people in the military, who might do more than the usual amount of banking online because they’re away from home.

You might warn loved ones in the military to avoid becoming a target of these fraudsters. Here’s what a typical fraudulent message looks like:

“We Didn’t Start the Fire” is a Billy Joel tune, but you might be singing it and the blues if your Coby boombox bursts into flame.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says it’s possible and have announced a recall.

Senior citizens are frequent targets for frauds and other scams.

As part of the Monroe County Caregivers Fair on Saturday, Tom Scott, assistant vice president and risk management officer for Monroe Bank & Trust, will talk about the various types of fraud, how to avoid becoming a victim and what to do if an older family member is victimized.

Mr. Scott, a former major in the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, will give his talk from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The fair is free and open to the public.

A federal task force has released a broad strategic plan to combat identity theft. It also has launched a new Web site dedicated to the growing ID theft problem.

The task force recommendations might mean Americans someday won’t have to routinely surrender personal information for routine business transactions or in dealing with federal agencies.

The report also proposes a coordinated law enforcement response to identity theft.

The Better Business Bureau of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan is warning that bogus charity appeals might crop up in the aftermath of the shootings at Virginia Tech.

“Everytime we experience a major tragedy, the BBB sees questionable or just plain dishonest appeals for money from con artists who exploit our emotions. Although most charities are honest and ethical, some solicitations are deceitful and, at worst, just plain crooked,” says Richard T. Eppstein, BBB president.

The BBB advises consumers to:

– Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion, but short on describing what the charity will do to address the needs of victims and their families.

– Be skeptical of nternet appeals. Most legitimate charities do not send out Internet appeals. We expect many will resemble legitimate charities but actually will be “phishing” efforts to obtain your credit card or checking account numbers.

– Watch for door-to-door or “card table” appeals from unknown solicitors. Store managers need to be very careful to check out soliciting organizations before giving them permission to set up a table in their entrances. Don’t assume they are legitimate. Call and check their references.

– Watch for excessive pressure for on-the-spot donations. Be wary of any phone requests where they offer to send a “runner” to collect the donation.

– Not provide your credit card number or other personal information to a telephone solicitor. Many use look-alike names that sound similar to established charities in order to trick you.

– Ask for written information that describes the charity’s programs and finances, such as its latest annual report and financial statements.

– Ask how much of your give will be used for the activity mentioned in the appeal and how much will go toward others programs and administrative and fund-raising costs.