Consumer alert!

Contaminated food product database

Charles Slat — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:24:10 +0000

If your head is spinning from trying to keep up with all the products affected by the salmonella contamination at a Las Vegas plant that makes hydrolyzed vegetable protein, the FDA now has a database to help identify the food products that are at risk. There now are 153 different products that might be impacted.
HVP, as it is called, is an ingredient in everything from potato chips to cookies to soups and other foodstuffs.

Power nailers cause eye injuries

Charles Slat — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:24:45 +0000

About 65,000 Hitachi power nailers are being recalled because they have a faulty feed that can cause nails to be ejected sideways, causing the nails to strike the facial area of the users.
The company has had 37 incidents reported with 15 injuries, including five resulting in partial blindness.
For details and photos, click here.

Some granola bars might be tainted

Charles Slat — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:11:16 +0000

Some granola bars might be decidedly unhealthy because they contain ingredients from Thumb Oilseed Co., a Ubly, Mich. firm where salmonella has been found.
Recalls have been declared for some granola bars bearing the brand names of Healthy Valley and Fresh and Easy.
The list of affected products might grow in the days ahead.

Temperature, CO2 sensors are fire hazards

Charles Slat — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:45:46 +0000

General Electric is recalling about 9,400 carbon dioxide and temperature sensors bearing various brand names because they pose a fire hazard.
For details on the recall, click here.

Utility imposters phoning customers

Charles Slat — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:33:18 +0000

Consumers Energy is warning that people posing as utility company employees are phoning customers to try to extract credit card information from them.
Utility impersonations have been reported across the state, five in the past week.
For example, calls have been received by customers who are senior citizens. The caller claims to be a Consumers Energy employee offering a special program made possible by federal stimulus money and the seniors need only pay a small fee and provide a credit card number to be enrolled in the program.
Consumers Energy does not offer such a program and does not contact customers to enroll them in energy bill payment programs.
The company says no one should give out personal information over the phone, even if they claim to be from a company that does business with them. Call Consumers Energy at 1-800-477-5050 if they wish to discuss their account with a customer service representative.
“Every year there seems to be a new scam that attempts to victimize customers and targets the most vulnerable audiences, such as seniors,” said Michael J. Williams, director of corporate security for the utility. “We ask customers for their assistance in reporting and helping to prevent these incidents.”
Anyone with information about such incidents should call the Consumers’ security office at 1-800-760-3295 or local law enforcement.

Feds crack down on bogus business schemes

Charles Slat — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:23:12 +0000

The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on nearly a dozen firms that prey on the unemployed and others needing extra income during this recession by offering bogus work-at-home and money-making schemes.
For details and a list of the companies involved, click here.

Trader Joe’s granola bars tainted

Charles Slat — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:46:43 +0000

Chocolate chip chewy granola bars sold at Trader Joe’s stores nationally are being recalled because some have been found to be tainted with salmonella.
For more details, click here.

Umbrella strollers can cut fingers

Charles Slat — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:44:24 +0000

Blink umbrella strollers are being recalled because they can cut or cut off little fingers.
For more detals, click here.

Wind chimes for tots being recalled

Charles Slat — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:42:27 +0000

Wind chimes made by Tiny Love Inc. for babies and tots are being recalled because they can cut the kids.
Details may be found by clicking here.

State ads warns of investment scams

Charles Slat — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:23:51 +0000

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) said a series of TV ads have begun airing to warn consumers of the risks of investment fraud and encouraging them to contact OFIR before they enter into an investment.
Three “Con Man” ads are currently airing on cable networks across the state and focus on how con men attempt to scam investors at so-called free lunch seminars and try to prey upon members of the same group or affiliation.
“We continue to do everything we can to protect citizens’ pocketbooks, particularly in these tough economic times,” Gov.Granholm said. “This new PSA campaign will create awareness and help Michigan citizens and their families avoid falling victim to fraud.”
“Don’t get conned by the con man,” OFIR Commissioner Ken Ross said. “Before you put one dime of your hard earned money into an investment, contact OFIR and we’ll run a check on any broker or advisor.”
To watch or download the TV ads, visit:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/Con_Man_Trust_PSA_309214_7.wmv

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/ConMan_Free_Lunch_309217_7.wmv

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/ConMan_Combo_309223_7.wmv

If Michigan investors have any questions about an investment firm, professional or product, contact OFIR toll-free at (877) 999-6442 or online at www.michigan.gov/ofir.
A grant from the Michigan Investor Protection Trust (IPT) was used to finance the ads. The IPT is funded entirely by state securities settlements and is used to educate Michigan consumers on investment issues and how to avoid financial scams.
OFIR will be running similar radio ads in the near future.