About 35,000 clothes washers made by Frigidaire but sold under various other brand names between February and May of this year are being recalled because their drain pumps can overheat and cause fires.
For more details, including model numbers, brands and a photo, click here.
Archive for July, 2009
Clothes washers are fire hazard
Friday, July 31st, 2009Fidelity Financial Group check scam
Thursday, July 30th, 2009A Monroe area man reports receiving a letter containing a cashier’s check drawn on First Tennessee Bank in the amount of $3,950, supposedly as part of a “summer bonanza internet draw” sponsored by Fidelity.
He was entitled to $85,000 in the sweepstakes, which was entered from a “name data base” of recent shoppers at Walmart, JCPenney or Sears or those who subscribe or Reader’s Digest or have played online or in-store lottos during 2008.
All he had to do was cash the check, which was to help pay a processing fee, in order to claim the prize.
The check is a scam. After cashing it, recipients are instructed to call a number for further instructions, which involve wiring the proceeds to a third party in order to claim the larger cash prize.
The person who cashes the check is on the hook for the money when the check isn’t honored by the home bank.
A helpful teller at Fifth Third Bank checked with First Tennessee Bank and confirmed for the Monroe resident that the routing and account numbers on the check are fraudulent.
Any number of bank names and official-looking checks are used in such nationwide scams sent through first-class mail and often bearing postmarks from Canada. Do not cash such checks.
Beware “Cash for Clunkers” scammers
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers to be wary of Web sites that tout the new Cash for Clunkers car-buying program and assert that car buyers have to register for the program by supplying all sorts of personal financial information.
Such scam Web sites are popping up as a way for identity thieves to gather information.
The only officials Web site for the program is www.cars.gov
For more details about the scams, click here.
Michigan fund is an investment scam
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009Michigan-based Bravata Financial, run by guys who live in Brighton and Northville, is nothing but a $50 million scam, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Ponzi scheme bilked at least 440 investors by promising high yields.
For details and the government action being taken, click here.
Some gas cans have spout leakage
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009About 4,000 Enviro-Flo plastic gasoline containers — one and two-gallon versions — have spout problems that could cause gas and fumes to leak. The containers were sold nationwide and are made by Blitz USA. Details on the recall may be found by clicking here.
FDA warns against steroid-like products
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009The Food and Drug Administration is warning the public to stay away from body-building dietary supplements that say they contain steriods or steroid-like substances.
It particularly doesn’t like the variety of products sold on the Internet and at some stores by American Cellular Labs.
For details, click here.
Blue Ember grills are hazardous
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009About 88,000 Blue Ember gas grills made by Fiesta are being recalled because they pose fire and burn hazards to users.
A list of the grills affected and other details may be found by clicking here.
Livestock, horse feeds seized
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009A number of horse and livestock feed products made by Bi-County Cooperation in Florence, Ky. have been seized by federal inspectors due to unsanitary conditions at the company.
A list of the products affected and a description of the conditions at the facility may be found by clicking here.
Some gel-filled teethers have bacteria
Monday, July 20th, 2009Consumers are being warned not to purchase certain gel-filled teethers for babies because the gel filling is contaminated with bacteria.
Details on the recall are here.
Steam cleaning mops are a danger
Monday, July 20th, 2009Thane is recalling its H20 Mop steam cleaners sold through the QVC television shopping channel and at major retailers and through the Thane Web site because they pose a shock and burn hazard.
About 580,000 of them are being recalled. Details may be found by clicking here.
Hooded jackets have drawstring issue
Monday, July 20th, 2009Some hooded jackets sold at Meijer stores have a waist drawstring that are said to be a strangulation hazard.
Details and a photo may be found by clicking here.
Tot telephone toys pose choking risk
Monday, July 20th, 2009Evenflo is recalling its Switch-a-Roo telephone toys for tots because pieces can become detached and pose a choking hazard.
The toys were sold for about $8 at kids’ stores, including Toys R Us.
For details on the recall, click here.
Crackdown on home foreclosure scams
Thursday, July 16th, 2009Federal and state agencies said Wednesday they were cracking down on dozens of companies that were scamming homeowners facing foreclosure.
For details of the multi-state effort and the names of various companies involved, click here.
Some Firestone tires lack adequate treads
Thursday, July 16th, 2009More than 127,000 recently manufactured Firestone tires are being recalled because they have insufficient treads.
Details on the tire sizes and model numbers may be found by clicking here.
Wallplate nightlights are fire hazard
Thursday, July 16th, 2009Light On Demand wallplate nightlights bearing the Energizer brand, are being recalled because they can overheat and cause a fire.
Details, photos and instructions for getting a refund may be found by clicking here.