Meijer Inc. has removed from store shelves the Save My Planet Organic Pet Toy, a chew toy shaped like a black-pawed ferret, after a customer said she found small worms in one.
The store is investigating the source of the worms. The product was made in China.
Archive for April, 2009
Pet toy sold at Meijer had worms
Thursday, April 9th, 2009State shutters Web-based credit union
Thursday, April 9th, 2009Michigan’s Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation has ordered an entity claiming to be a Pennsylvania-based credit union called “Firststar Credit Union” to stop doing business because it appears to be fraudulent.
OFIR officials believe Firststar, through its website, www.firststarlendingservices.com, is posing as a legitimate credit union and may be attempting to steal consumers’ money and identity. The fraudulent financial institution, which advertised in Michigan newspapers, is encouraging customers to apply for loans by providing upfront payments and personal information.
OFIR contacted Godaddy.com, the Firststar website host, and the website has been shut down.
Consumers can contact OFIR toll-free at 877-999-6442 to find out if a bank or credit union is a legitimate financial institution.
The agency urged consumers to develop a face-to-face or personal relationship with a financial institution before entering into a business contract. Prior to opening an account at an Internet bank or credit union, consumers are encouraged to call OFIR or check out information on legitimate depositories on OFIR’s website, www.michigan.gov/ofir.
To find or verify a federally insured state-chartered credit union in Michigan, visit: http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/fis/ind_srch/CreditUnion/Search.asp.
To find or verify federally insured credit unions across the country, visit the National Credit Union Administration at: http://www.ncua.gov/indexdata.html.
Psoraisis drug Raptiva being pulled
Thursday, April 9th, 2009Raptiva, a prescription drug used to treat psoraisis, the skin ailment, is being pulled from the market because it can cause a central nervous system illness. Details are here.
Oprah “millionaire” e-mail is bogus
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009The FBI is warning about a fraudulent e-mail circulating that promises tickets to the Oprah Winfrey show and a chance to will a million bucks.
Details are here.
Stonyfield Farm yogurt recalled
Monday, April 6th, 2009Stonyfield Farm is recalling about 44,000 quarts of its plain yogurt because they may contain a food-grade sanitizer.
Details may be found here.
Chrysler name on fraudulent checks
Friday, April 3rd, 2009Consumers across the U.S. have received fraudulent letters from the so-called Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission in Canada claiming they’ve won $170,000. The letters also contain counterfeit checks allegedly issued by “DaimlerChrysler Financial Services” and “Chrysler Financial” in various amounts.
As part of the con, recipients are asked to deposit the check to cover a service charge of the same amount in order to receive their winnings. However, before the check clears beneficiaries are requested to call a representative and, ultimately, to write a personal check to “finalize the payment process.” Not surprisingly, the original check never clears and the promised payout of $170,000 never arrives. In the meantime, the consumer’s funds have disappeared.
As a result of the separation of Chrysler Financial and Daimler Financial Services on August 3, 2007, the DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas LLC company no longer exists.
Chrysler Financial is fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities in their investigation and has posted a fraud alert on its Web site.
Consumers who have been affected by this scam are encouraged to file a consumer fraud complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) either by calling the FTC’s Consumer Response Center toll free at 877- FTC HELP (382-4357) or by downloading and submitting a complaint form online at www.ftc.gov.
Be wary of door-to-door meat salespeople
Friday, April 3rd, 2009The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) is urging consumers to do a little homework before purchasing meat or poultry from a door-to-door salesperson.
“Door-to-door meat sales offers Michigan’s most vulnerable citizens the ease of being able to shop at home, but it also provides an opportunity for some bad actors to take advantage of them,” said Don Koivisto, MDA Director. “I’m urging consumers to do a little homework before making a purchase to safeguard their health and their pocketbooks.”
Consumers should follow these tips when buying meat or poultry from a door-to-door salesperson:
–Be an informed buyer. Know exactly what you are buying and from whom.
–Make sure all receipts and accompanying documentation are complete including the seller’s name and address; and keep a copy for your records.
–Never buy meat from an unrefrigerated vehicle or from the trunk of a car.
–All food must come from an approved source, have the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seal of inspection, complete and intact labeling that identifies the product, cuts, lists ingredients, and a net weight declaration.
An MDA issued decal must be conspicuously displayed on each side of the vehicle so as to be visible when in transit and while serving the public. Decals are issued each licensing year in different colors – yellow for 2009.
The name and address of the business must be affixed to the exterior side of the vehicle in letters not less than 3″ high x 3/8″ wide and in colors contrasting the background color of the vehicle.
Many communities require a vendor’s permit to operate door to door. This is a business license and is not a replacement for the required MDA mobile food establishment license.
Call your local Better Business Bureau to see if you are doing business with a reputable firm.
Conair irons can overheat, catch fire
Wednesday, April 1st, 2009About 45,000 Conair irons are being recalled because they can overheat and catch fire.
More information may be found here.