Action Line

Beware of Midas

Dennis Rockstroh — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:42:02 +0000

The AP reports that California Attorney General Jerry Brown and two county district attorneys are suing the owner of nearly two dozen Midas auto shops in the state, accusing him of a “massive bait-and-switch scam.”Brown and the district attorneys in Alameda and Fresno counties filed a complaint Tuesday in Alameda County Superior Court against Maurice [...]

Another complaint department

Dennis Rockstroh — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:43:37 +0000

Got a complaint about a business, an e-commerce problem, do-not-call violators? Tell the feds. The Federal Trade Commission is, for better or worse, the nation’s consumer protection agency. It collects complaints about companies, business practices and identity theft. While the agency does not usually take up individual cases, complaints from the public help the feds [...]

Terminate early termination fees

Dennis Rockstroh — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:05:17 +0000

Whatever happened to a consumer’s right to quit an unsatisfactory relationship with a business and take our money to a more competent competitor? Early termination fees. That’s something we can thank lobbyists and willing lawmakers for. For consumers, it stinks. But there is hope. An Alameda County judge says that early termination fees are forbidden [...]

Let’s talk at noon

Dennis Rockstroh — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:56:08 +0000

Chat with me live online between noon and 1 p.m. today here or at www.mercurynews.com. a2a_linkname="Let’s talk at noon";a2a_linkurl="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/consumeractionline/2008/07/28/lets-talk-at-noon/";

Satellite radio: winners, losers

Dennis Rockstroh — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:35:20 +0000

The feds are close to approving the merger of of XM and Sirius satellite radio. But before the feds give approval things may get goofy. Some customers may lose signal because of this new bigger and better merger. That’s because part of the deal is to fine the companies millions of dollars and force the [...]

Why not jail-time?

Dennis Rockstroh — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:37:52 +0000

Wonder why the cost of medicine keeps going up? How about shady pharmaceutical companies? Some of that money is headed back. California is supposed to receive $23 million of a $515 million nationwide settlement with Bristol-Myers Squibb. The California Department of Justice says that the settlement resolves allegations that the company reported “grossly inflated” drug [...]

Invention scammers slammed

Dennis Rockstroh — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:57:46 +0000

…with a $10 million bill for deceiving consumers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the defendants charged up to $12,000 to evaluate and promote consumers’ inventions. They enticed their victims with false claims about product promotion, their track record in turning inventions into profitable products and their relationships with manufacturers. They also deceptively claimed that [...]

Hooray! It’s Monday

Dennis Rockstroh — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:18:00 +0000

And that means we can chat live online from noon to one today right here or at headquarters, www.mercurynews.com. a2a_linkname="Hooray! It’s Monday";a2a_linkurl="http://blogs.mercurynews.com/consumeractionline/2008/07/21/hooray-its-monday/";

Deadly TV stands?

Dennis Rockstroh — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:57:38 +0000

Oops. Studio RTA of Pico Rivera is recalling more than 6,500 TV stands. “The stability of the stand does not meet industry standards to prevent TV tip-over, posing a risk of injury or death to consumers,” said the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commisssion. Death? None have been reported. This recall involves Silhouette TV stands with [...]

Countrywide: the lawsuit

Dennis Rockstroh — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:09:06 +0000

As you may know, the State of California has filed suit against Countrywide Financial Corp. Because of all the interest in the case, the Attorney General’s office has prepared a list of answers to the frequently asked questions. See them here. California alleges that countrywide misled borrowers into taking on risky home loans. [...]