Another large financial institution has been caught gouging customers. Raymond James Financial Services agreed to settle allegations Tuesday with six state securities regulators for charging unreasonable commissions on trades that harmed investors. The broker-dealer will pay at least $8.2 million in refunds to clients, and $4.2 million in penalties and costs. A task force of […]
Another lithium-ion battery recall reminds us that we need to pay attention to the possible fire hazards with the batteries. VRURC is recalling about 190,000 portable chargers. They can ignite, posing a fire risk. VRURC has received one report of fire during a flight, which injured four flight attendants who had to be treated for […]
Winning the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes seems like a dream that you wish could happen to you when you see the TV ad. However, Publishers Clearing House has been deceiving people for decades. It used language and designs on its website and in its email marketing that tricked consumers, including many older adults, into believing […]
Your July Fourth celebration could be ruined with a serious injury and trip to the emergency room. Fireworks related injuries continue to be high, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is urging consumers to either watch community fireworks displays or take steps to use consumer-grade fireworks safely. Eleven fireworks-related deaths were reported in 2022, […]
Most people rely heavily on online shopping. However, with lots of screens before you get to check-out, you could sign up for a service without knowing it. Then, it can be difficult to cancel. For years, Amazon.com enrolled consumers into its Prime program without their consent while making it hard for them to cancel, the […]
Another consumer product with LED lighting is being recalled. Ashley Furniture Industries is recalling about 253,000 power loveseats, sofas, and recliners in the United States and another 9,450 in Canada. The power loveseats, sofas, and recliners’ cupholder with LED lighting can overheat, posing a fire risk. This recall involves Ashley Furniture Industries-branded Party Time loveseats, […]
Genetic testing, where a company examines your DNA, often from a saliva sample, and sends you a report about your family background or your likelihood for developing certain health conditions, is all the rage. It sounds like a great idea, but can you trust a company when it promises to keep your sensitive DNA data […]
Either I missed the Public Citizen report on the toll private equity is taking on U.S. health care or I didn’t understand the significance of it. The report, released in March 2023, says private equity takeovers have come with shocking lapses in safety, with prices rising faster than at non-private equity acquired entities, while patients […]
It’s a tragedy that more babies are dying in loungers and companies are continuing to sell dangerous ones. Boppy newborn loungers Although Boppy newborn loungers were recalled in September 2021 due to the risk that infants can suffocate, shortly after the recall two additional infants died in loungers in unsafe sleep environments. In October 2021, an […]
Financial institutions are increasingly using chatbots, which put out human-like responses using computer programming, to communicate with customers to save money. Chatbots sometimes have human names and use popup features to encourage interaction. Some chatbots use more complex technologies such as “artificial intelligence” to respond to customers. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received hundreds […]
