In July we wrote about the questionable advertisements for “toning shoes” promising that the shoes will help you burn calories, increase muscle tone, improve posture and reduce stress on the back and legs, and the occurrence of injuries related to their use. The concerns we raised were confirmed by a settlement reached between the Federal Trade… Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: September 2011
Internet “Job Search” Companies That Only Find Your Money
Meiselman, Denela, Packman, Carton & Eberz P.C. is currently investigating a potential class action against LawCrossing.com, Employmentcrossing.com, AccountingCrossing.com, and other job-hunting websites for misleading consumers by getting people to sign up for memberships that are billed monthly and then making cancellation very difficult. Many consumers have complained about this "scam". In these difficult economic times,… Continue Reading
Would You Like A Sip Of Cleaner?
Mistolin is a line of cleaning products manufactured in Puerto Rico by Mistolin Caribe, Inc. and sold in the United States. It is a favorite of Latino households. However, their packaging leaves much to be desired. Mistolin is sold in 28 oz. clear bottles. The liquid in the bottles, clearly visible, comes in a variety… Continue Reading
“Exploding” Pyrex
As previously reported in these pages, back in October 2009, for years people have been experiencing incidents where Pyrex, or other glass bakeware, has suddenly shattered or “exploded” under normal use, often resulting in an injury to the consumer. These can range from minor to serious lacerations, and even to tendon and/or nerve injury. These… Continue Reading
Are You Being Short-Changed?
In today’s health care environment, it is easy to lose sight of the bottom line. Every day various specialty out-of-network providers are being short-changed when they are reimbursed for their services. For example, neurosurgeons who choose not to participate with insurance companies many times have their claims forwarded to a third party for re-pricing and… Continue Reading
Curing Acne: There Is No App For That
The Federal Trade Commission has reached tentative settlements with two companies charged with marketing smart phone apps with unsubstantiated acne-fighting properties. The FTC alleged that the 99¢ Acne Pwner app and the $1.99 AcneApp falsely promised to treat acne by shooting red and blue lights from the smart phone display screens at the user’s… Continue Reading
Formaldehyde Can Cause Cancer
Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical that many people recognize by its very pungent odor. It is used for many purposes, including the manufacture of a large number of products that exist in our everyday lives. Perhaps the most well-known use formaldehyde is as embalming fluid, but it is also used in many other industries and… Continue Reading
Brazilian Blowout Cited By FDA
The makers of Brazilian Blowout are selling a harmful product and lying about it, according to a warning issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We’ve reported previously on Brazilian Blowout, a hair straightening treatment favored by Jennifer Aniston, Lindsay Lohan, and Reese Witherspoon. Its distributor, GIB, LLC, claims that Brazilian Blowout is safe… Continue Reading
Michaels’ Use Of Continuous Sales May Be Unfair And Deceptive
Everyone loves a sale, and that is what the craft store Michaels was likely counting on when it began advertising its "custom framing" services as being 50% off. That would be a great deal, if Michaels was really offering customers 50% off on the regular price of custom framing. But when the "sale" lasts for… Continue Reading
Republic Bank’s Refund Anticipation Loans May Be Illegal
One of the more abusive practices banks and tax preparation firms engage in is the Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL). These loans are made to taxpayers in anticipation of their receipt of a tax refund. Years ago when refunds could take months to arrive, RAL’s made a certain amount of sense – for cash-strapped taxpayers, it might be… Continue Reading
Beware of Fraudulent Online Vehicle Sales
The internet seemingly provides a more convenient way to purchase almost anything, including a used car. Used cars are legitimately sold on eBay, Craigslist and countless other internet sites. But, not surprisingly, not all online car sellers and websites are legitimate. Online car shoppers are routinely falling prey to fraudulent vehicle sales and false claims of vehicle protection… Continue Reading
TaxMasters And Other “Tax Relief” Companies May Be Ripping Off Consumers
Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz P.C. is currently investigating a potential class action against TaxMasters, Freedom Debt Relief, JK Harris and other “tax relief” companies that mislead consumers and falsely claim they will help with tax-related debts. Many Americans owe significant debts to the IRS. Although some reputable companies properly help people dealing with… Continue Reading
Dream Water: It May Be Too Good to Be True
Dream Water claims to be an all-natural revolutionary sleep and relaxation drink that is “safe as a warm glass of milk and more effective than counting sheep.” The makers of Dream Water claim that the water works well for anyone who is looking for help to fall asleep or to take the “edge off” after… Continue Reading
What’s In Your Digital Wallet? Surprise, Potentially Hidden Fees
While consumers still use cash, checks, and credit cards to pay for their everyday transactions, a new era is upon us, one in which consumers can leave their wallet, cash, and credit cards at home and pay for whatever they need with their digital wallet, cell phone or pre-paid debit card. With the emergence of… Continue Reading
Second-Hand Smoke
Meiselman Denlea is investigating cases involving persons injured by second-hand smoke. There are many situations where people are unwillingly exposed to second-hand smoke. People who work in areas where smoking is permitted, such as casinos, bars or restaurants, are often subjected to other people’s second-hand smoke, which is referred to as “environmental tobacco smoke”. Remember… Continue Reading
Consumers Complain About Go Daddy
Go Daddy is a company that allows persons to register and host domain names for websites. People who want to register website domain names can go to Go Daddy.com and pay to have the company register their domain name and serve as the host for the website. However, many people who wish to cancel their… Continue Reading
Prepaid Debit Card Companies May Be Cheating Consumers
Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz P.C. is currently investigating a potential class action against the sellers of prepaid debit cards. Prepaid debit cards can be useful for younger people and for people with credit problems. However, prepaid debit cards are subject to less regulation than regular debit and credit cards, and some unscrupulous companies… Continue Reading
Relaxium Dietary Supplement: Who Is Really Endorsing This Product?
Meiselman, Denlea, Packman, Carton & Eberz P.C. is currently investigating a potential class action against the makers of Relaxium concerning the marketing of this dietary supplement. Relaxium is marketed as an all natural dietary supplement allegedly clinically proven to reduce the symptoms of anxiety including restlessness, fatigue, sleeplessness, inability to concentrate, headache and heart palpitations…. Continue Reading
Is Stamps.Com An Overpriced Scam?
Stamps.com advertises itself as a means to purchase and print at home, discount postage for envelopes and packages, so as to avoid traveling to and waiting on line at a United States Post Office. For some small businesses with a volume of mail and parcels, the convenience of Stamps.com may make it a worthwhile investment;… Continue Reading
How Much Real Juice Is In That Bottle?
Fruit juices can provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals and in higher amounts than eating whole fruits. 100% juices aren’t naturally nutritious and often fortified with nutrients like vitamin C, calcium and vitamin D. You, however, must carefully read the label when purchasing bottled fruit juices to be sure of what you are buying…. Continue Reading
Are You Paying Excessive 401(k) Fees?
For most people who work outside the public sector, traditionally defined benefit company pension plans funding a large part of their retirement income are a relic of the past. Instead, these individuals now largely must fund their own retirement nest eggs, supplemented by Social Security. One tax-favored investment vehicle offered by approximately 483,000 businesses to… Continue Reading
Look For The Postage And Handling Scam
The proportion of consumer purchases made through the Internet, or in response to infomercials has continued to increase each year, and now makes up a significant portion of all consumer transactions. Ever-increasing numbers of people undertake to shop on their computers from the comfort of their home, or respond to televised infomercials which tout the… Continue Reading
Insurance Claims In The Wake Of Hurricane Irene
There will no doubt be hundreds of thousands of insurance claims reported by homeowners and business owners up and down the East Coast in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Policyholders should be aware that state laws stringently regulate the conduct of insurance companies when insurance companies are investigating and adjusting claims by their policyholders. By… Continue Reading
MDPCE Investigates Whether Online Discount Club Is Cramming
All of our loyal readers know that MDPCE is diligently prosecuting claims against Vertrue and Adaptive Marketing for their unfair and deceptive post-transactional marketing practices (just one of the ways unscrupulous marketers “cram” unwanted services onto unsuspecting consumers). As alleged in various filings in federal district courts in several states, Vertrue and Adaptive’s scheme, known… Continue Reading