Larry Lazy Cakes "brownies" are marketed with a cartoon character named "Lazy Larry" (not coincidentally, one looking strikingly similar to the famous SpongeBob Square Pants), colorful packaging, and a balloon lettering font clearly targeting the product at children. And yet, upon closer inspection, the appeal of Lazy Cakes is the massive dose of the neurohormone… Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: May 2011
Remedies For Consumers Harmed By Credit Reporting Errors
A person’s credit is an extremely valuable thing. Credit effects a person’s ability to borrow money for a home, obtain insurance, obtain credit cards from banks, and even find a job. A consumer’s credit is generally reported through what are known as consumer reporting agencies, which are businesses that collect and disseminate information about consumers… Continue Reading
Haier Freezers Understate Energy Consumption
Appliance manufacturer Haier is again the subject of scrutiny for having placed EnergyGuide labels on several of its freezers that may significantly (between 35 and 85 percent) and misleadingly understate the amount of energy that they use. Tests have recently shown that certain models use hundreds of kilowatt hours (kWh) more than what is required… Continue Reading
Jenny Craig Diet Centers May Be Perpetuating Fraud On Dieters
Jenny Craig is one of several well-known diet programs that offer memberships, including through diet centers located throughout the country. Members are encouraged to purchase Jenny Craig meals that are purported to be "specifically designed" to promote weight loss. These meals are not inexpensive, but dieters feel pressured to purchase them in their desperate quest… Continue Reading
“Focus Factor” Continues Fraudulent Marketing
Factor Nutrition Labs continues to market its product "Focus Factor" as a dietary supplement that "supports and maintains memory, concentration and focus." What makes this claim incredulous is that in 2004, the Federal Trade Commission charged the marketers of "Focus Factor" with having made numerous unsubstantiated advertising claims about the product. In addition, the advertising… Continue Reading
The High Cost Of Free Trials
These days it’s hard to spend even a few minutes on the Internet without coming across an advertisement for a “free trial” of the next “miracle” product. These trials are particularly prevalent in the nutritional supplement and cosmetics industries, where their ads promise that the touted products will rid users of cellulite or unwanted pounds all… Continue Reading
No Escape From AT&T Data Charges
Users of cellular phones have unfortunately grown accustomed to seeing a series of seemingly small, and inexplicable, "surcharges" on their monthly bill. These add up, and over the life of a contract, can total significant sums. Rather than explain — or better, remove — these fees, AT&T is now charging consumers a surcharge to protect… Continue Reading
Employees Not Grateful For Auto-Gratuity
An automatic gratuity, or auto-gratuity, is a tip that is automatically applied to a bill, in the absence of providing the recipient of the service with any discretion as to the amount. The current economic recession has seen a number of these "hidden fees" added to services for the first time, or simply increased to… Continue Reading
Symantec’s Norton Products Offer No Protection For Consumer’s Wallets
Today’s technological advancements render many products obsolete soon after you leave the store. However, it is rare that a product will intentionally render itself obsolete, and completely cease functioning, just a year after purchase. Symantec’s Norton Anti-Virus, Norton Internet Security, Norton 360, and similar protection products (the "Norton Products") do just that — self-destruct. The… Continue Reading
Wal-Mart May Be Short-Changing Returns Made With Gift Receipts
When people purchase gifts for others, retailers frequently provide a gift receipt that allows returns or exchanges. This is a major convenience for shoppers who are not sure that the person to whom they are giving the gift will like it, or if the size is right. The gift receipt does not show the purchase price, but… Continue Reading
Slim Xtreme Diet Supplement Falsely Marketed As “100% Natural”
One of the largest consumer markets in the United States involves diet aids and supplements as Americans faced with long hours at work and the demands of family find it increasingly difficult to lose weight. At the same time, most consumers are wary of dangerous and unnatural weight loss products that might be harmful, and as… Continue Reading
Fuel Saver Gadgets The Answer To Rising Gas Prices? Not So Fast
During times like these of spiking fuel prices, the Internet, auto parts stores and classified advertisements are filled with gadgets promising to boost your car’s fuel economy by 20%, 40% and even as much as 300%. The makers of some of these gadgets also promise increases in horsepower and decreased emissions. The most common of… Continue Reading
Complaint Filed Against Atlantis Resorts For Unfair And Deceptive Imposition Of A Mandatory Housekeeping Gratuity
Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz P.C., based in White Plains, New York, recently filed a Complaint in Florida federal court against Kerzner International Resorts, Inc., the general sales and marketing agent for Atlantis resorts. The Complaint alleges that Atlantis unfairly and deceptively charges a “mandatory housekeeping gratuity” the vast majority of which is not actually… Continue Reading
Does Intelius Impose Unauthorized Charges On Its Customers’ Credit Cards?
The Internet continues to grow as an important commercial channel for American consumers. More than half of American adults have either made an online purchase or travel reservation, and e-commerce revenue in the United States accounted for more than $165 billion in 2010. The rapid growth of e-commerce has been immensely valuable to consumers, offering easy access… Continue Reading
Does Sensa Really Work?
Among the many diet products and programs on the market is something called Sensa. Sensa is billed as a "weight loss system" consisting of "tastants." The Sensa tastants are crystal flakes that you sprinkle on your food that allegedly enhance the smell of your food. The company that markets Sensa claims that these tastants, which… Continue Reading
Boda Resolution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: James R. Denlea, Esq. Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz P.C. 914-517-5000 9140517-5055 (fax) jdenlea@mdpcelaw.com http://mdpcelaw.com http://classactionblog.mdpcelaw.com LAW FIRM BLOG POST PROMPTS CORRECTIVE ACTON TO PROTECT CONSUMERS White Plains, New York, April 29, 2011 – A post to the Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz, P.C. class action blog… Continue Reading