KOMO News - Consumer News

Feds investigate door fires in 2007 Camrys, RAV-4s

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:31:01 -0800

Federal safety regulators are investigating reports of fires in the driver's side doors of 2007 Toyota Camry sedans and RAV-4 crossover SUVs.

Which chocolates rated best?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:52:07 -0800

This year, Americans are expected to spend more than $700 million on chocolates for their loved ones.

Tips to reduce your food poisoning risk

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:03:41 -0800

Food poisoning is more common than most of us realize. It's estimated that one in six people will get food poisoning this year. Most cases are mild, but some can be really serious.

Consumer Reports: Survey names Costco as best place to shop

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:15:21 -0800

Consumer Reports is out with its latest ratings of department stores, discount stores and warehouse clubs.

Scammers running fake news sites to boost sales

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:03:11 -0800

It looks like an online news story with a positive review of a health supplement or weight-loss product. But it's not. It's a fake news story on a fake news site, placed by dishonest marketers to trick you.

Putting off the trip to the dentist could be more painful in the long run

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:02:33 -0800

No one likes to go to the dentist. Some people would rather be just about anywhere else, so they put off needed care.

Products you should never cheap out on

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:05:25 -0800

We all like a good deal. But the experts at Consumer Reports Shop Smart Magazine say there are some things you should never cheap out on.

Still time to make your IRA contributions for 2011

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:45:34 -0800

Have you made your IRA contribution for 2011? If not, there's still time. An Individual Retirement Account is the only tax deduction you can take past the end of the year.

Food company recalls eggs in 34 states, including Wash.

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:44:39 -0800

A Minnesota food company said Friday it is recalling more than a million hard-cooked eggs distributed to 34 states after testing revealed some may be contaminated with listeria.

Sugar-loaded foods not always obvious

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:46:06 -0800

Soda, candy and cookies are all loaded with sugar. But even if you don't buy a lot of this stuff, you could still be eating too much sugar.

Learn how to get the best deals on flights

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:51:24 -0800

It's happened to all of us. You go online to snag a great airfare deal, only to have it vanish into thin air.

Gov't settles with debt buyer Asset Acceptance

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:19:53 -0800

One of the nation's largest consumer debt buyers will pay a $2.5 million civil fine to settle deception allegations.

Government steps up Jeep Liberty air bag probe

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:48:42 -0800

Federal safety regulators have stepped up their investigation into the Jeep Liberty SUV after 50 people reported they were hurt when the air bags inflated even though the vehicle wasn't involved in a crash.

When it comes to taxes, are you leaving money on the table?

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:44:48 -0800

Leaving food on the table is one thing, but thousands of local people are leaving money on the table in the form of a tax credit.

Facebook teaming up with AG to fight illegal spam

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:07:42 -0800

Facebook and the Washington Attorney General are taking the gloves off in a fight against illegal spam on social network sites.

Facebook, Wash. state target online spam

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:20:58 -0800

Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna says his office is partnering with Facebook to combat a clicking spam plaguing the social network site.

Drowning in debt? Local nonprofit credit counseling can help

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:56:11 -0800

If you're drowning in debt and trying to make ends meet, be careful who you turn to for help. Many companies that advertise for credit counseling and debt repair are little more than profit-centers that charge you hundreds of dollars up front- often with disastrous damage to your debt situation.

What's the dirtiest thing in your kitchen?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:34:54 -0800

Take a mental tour of your kitchen: the stove, the sink and the countertops. Where do you think you'll find the most germs?

Problem Solvers' Digging Out of Debt Phone Bank

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:43:27 -0800

It's a tough time for many people, so we've scouted some experts to help.

Websites that help save on dining out

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:19:45 -0800

In these tough economic times, we're all watching how much we spend when we go to a restaurant. So what could be better than bargains on meals?

Paying in advance for a service? Try to avoid it

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:23:22 -0800

It can be risky to pay for a product or service in advance. But sometimes you don't have a choice and a prepayment is required.

Local recycling locations for trees, brush and other landscape debris

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:06:13 -0800

Because the recent storms, local yard waste haulers are allowing local consumers to leave twice the normal yard waste limit for pick up this week. But if the fallen brush and broken branches are just too much to fit in your yard waste bin and bags, take them to a yard waste recycler. Local yard and landscape recyclers are already loading up on debris from the recent storms.

Do you have enough homeowners insurance?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:28:24 -0800

Most homeowners have homeowners insurance. The question is: do you have enough?

How to find a reliable plumber, tree service or roofing contractor

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:24:33 -0800

The winter snow and ice storms mean thousands of people now have to clear fallen trees and repair the damage to their homes. While there are thousands of great companies out there who can help with damaged roofs, broken pipes and tree removal- there are also companies you don't want to touch with a ten foot pole.

Who's responsible for storm damages?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:03:58 -0800

From falling trees, to collapsing carports, the Northwest winter storm is causing extensive damage in some areas and there's some confusion as to who's responsible for the damage.