News 8: Consumer Alert

You Might Not Be Getting Savings Energy Star Promises

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 13:40:19 -0700

When people go to buy appliances, they often look for the Energy Star label as a way to tell which products are energy efficient. But some manufacturers are scamming the system.

BBB: Online Diploma Mills Selling Bogus Degrees

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 17:38:14 -0700

While most people with a college or professional degree have earned it after years of traditional classes, papers and exams, thousands of people are going online, in some cases paying big bucks for a degree that turns out not to be worth the paper it's printed on.

Consumer Reports Tests Carry-On Luggage

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 18:04:07 -0700

Many of the major airlines are now charging major fees - $15 to $25 a bag to check your luggage. If you're looking to circumvent those fees by stuffing everything into one carry-on, then Consumer Reports' latest tests can help you save your money.

Some Things Still Sell Well, Even In A Bad Economy

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:49:18 -0700

In this shaky economy, most of us are making some necessary cutbacks, meaning business is lagging in many sectors. But there are some items whose sales are up, even during this economic downturn.

BBB: Free Gift Offer Misleads Consumers

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:13:06 -0700

You receive a notice on your doorstep that you've been given a free basket of fruit - even though you weren't expecting it. But the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers that this free gift could come at a price.

How Much Do Hybrid Owners Save Down The Road?

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:59:32 -0700

With the high cost of gas, a new Consumer Reports survey finds one of three buyers is seriously considering a hybrid. Hybrids do get better gas mileage than comparable vehicles, but usually cost more. So, are they money savers?

Cable Customers Targeted in Email ID Theft Scam

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:12:50 -0700

At first, it looks like an actual email notice from your cable company. But consumer experts warn that responding to this message could cost you your entire bank account.

Test Driving The Latest Hybrid Technology

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:57:39 -0700

It's not a new technology, but its certainly become a popular one. As more consumers are looking into hybrids, they're coming up with more questions. That's why Toyota travels the country taking their technology on the road for you to try. News 8 took the newest Toyota Prius for a test drive.

BBB: Beware Of Work-At-Home Scams

Fri, 4 Jul 2008 16:49:47 -0700

Spend only a few minutes on your computer each day, and earn hundreds in the process. There's no shortage of online job postings that promise big paychecks for relatively little work. But consumer experts warn they are most likely a scam.

Prices Have Some Making The Segue Onto Segway

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 16:48:49 -0700

To fight fuel prices, more San Diegans are looking at Segways as a way of traveling short distances. The sales of these energy-efficient stand-up scooters have shot up 50 percent nationwide in the past year, a trend a Segway spokesman expects will continue into next year.

In Search Of A Tasty And "Light" Ice Cream

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 17:07:15 -0700

Every summer, Americans eat more than $2 billion worth of ice cream and spend hours at the gym trying to work off all those sweet creamy calories. Of course, there are lots of light ice creams on the market, but do they measure up? Consumer Reports conducted a taste test.

Company Has Problems Delivering On Gas Promise

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:39:14 -0700

It almost sounds too good to be true - buying gas in the future but never paying more than today's price. That's what a South Florida-based company promises. But fallout from a bank contract is putting a snag in the company's plans.

BBB: Be Careful About Borrowing From Payday Lenders

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:20:19 -0700

Imagine a small loan for under $300 ballooning into a $5,000 debt. That's what one San Diego couple says happened to them, after going online to borrow money from a payday lending company.

Increasing Gas Prices Could Be A Good Thing

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:00:42 -0700

Higher gas prices may actually lead to more Americans losing weight, less air pollution and less freeway traffic. In fact, economists predict a whole range of benefits from rising gas prices. But can $4 per gallon gas really be a good thing?

Warning Signs That Your Bank Is In Trouble

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:22:40 -0700

San Diegans have a lot of questions when it comes to their bank accounts these days, and the first and most important thing experts say you should look at in order to gauge your bank's health is its capital relative to its assets.

It Seems Maytag Repair People Are Busy After All

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:37:35 -0700

To watch Maytag's commercials, you'd think the lonely repairman has nothing to do, because Maytag's appliances are just so reliable. But Consumer Reports' latest research shows there appears to be plenty of work for the Maytag repairman.

BBB: Guard Yourself Against Debit Card Fraud

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:29:49 -0700

Every year, more than 8 million Americans are the victims of debit or credit card fraud. In most cases, the card never leaves the owner's possession.

Experts Say Book Holiday Travel Fares Now

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:19:23 -0700

Even though it's only late July, travel agents are warning anyone who plans to travel over the holidays they better start booking their airline tickets now.

Jalapeno Growers Brace For Hit After Salmonella Discovery

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:38:13 -0700

The produce industry is bracing for another bit hit. Tomato growers have already lost about $100 million this year after a salmonella outbreak. Now the same thing may be about to happen to jalapeno growers.

Mike Aguirre Files Suit Against Mortgage Company

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:00:50 -0700

Mike Aguirre has filed a lawsuit against a major mortgage company here in San Diego. He says they preyed on borrowers and caused many people to now be at risk of losing their homes.

Best Way To Get Hard To Find Tickets

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:27:54 -0700

Have you tried to buy tickets lately for a sporting event, concert or play, only to get shut out? Or were you able to get tickets, but you paid through the nose? Getting tickets to much-sought after events for a good price has become harder than ever, but a Consumer Reports investigation finds there are ways to beat the system.

BBB: Send The 'UPS Virus' Packing!

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:03:58 -0700

It appears to be a legitimate email notice from UPS, but if you open the electronic attachment, you could find your computer's hard drive destroyed.

New Glasses Make Computers Easy On The Eyes

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:13:38 -0700

They are sleek and sexy, and oh-so-stylish. They're galled Gunnars, made by Del Mar-based Gunnar Optiks, and if you spend hours in front of a computer screen, they're not only going to make you look great, but your eyes will say thank you.

Testing Retrofit Kit For Troubled Gas Grill

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:26:05 -0700

Some weeks back, we told you about a Canadian-made grill that started to melt during a Consumer Reports test. The makers of the Broil King Signet 90 voluntarily recalled the grill and came out with a retrofit, which Consumer Reports has tested.

BBB: Beware Of Sweepstakes Scams

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 18:19:49 -0700

Imagine being told you've won a million-dollar sweepstakes, but there's a catch: you have to come up with thousands of dollars of your own money in order to claim it.

Pack Smarter To Avoid Extra Luggage Fees

Tue, 5 Aug 2008 17:31:23 -0700

More airlines are raising rates for extra baggage, making it important to pack smart if you don't want to end up paying.

Honda Introduces Natural Gas Powered Car

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 18:13:23 -0700

Wouldn't you love paying $2 for the equivalent of a gallon of gas? What if the same car was also better for the environment? Consumer Reports just checked out the Honda Civic that does both.

New High-Tech Safety Products For Kids

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 18:36:44 -0700

Childhood accidents are the leading cause of death for children between one and 14. But there are amazing new products that marry technology with safety to protect our children. From a high-tech car seat to a crib monitor that alerts you if a baby stops breathing.

Getting Out Of Your Cell Phone Contract Without Paying

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 17:40:56 -0700

If you've ever tried to get out of a cell phone contract early, you know it can be a pricey proposition - often costing hundreds of dollars for each phone you want to cancel. But there are some creative ways of getting out, but not paying out.

Parents Worried About BPA In Baby Bottles

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:01:49 -0700

State lawmakers in Sacramento are considering restrictions on a chemical found in plastic baby bottles. The chemical in question is known as bisphenol-A, and many parents are concerned.