Consumer tips: Recalls, refunds and scam alert
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Reebok refunds in the mail
After months of waiting, thousands of people hoping for tighter tushes will get a fat check instead.
Reebok is finally mailing millions of dollars in refunds to settle charges of deceptive advertising. The company is the first of two major manufacturers named in a Federal Trade Commission crackdown against what regulators call over-hyped and unsubstantiated health claims about toning shoes.
Sketchers settled with the FTC last spring and will pay $40 million once that settlement is finalized. Reebok agreed to a settlement last fall and will pay $25 million to 315,000 consumers who bought the shoes.
If you filed a claim in the Reebok case, the FTC says your check will total about 87 percent of what you filed for in your claim. You have to cash the check by Nov. 6.
Reebok says it stands behind its toning technology and only settled to avoid a costly court case.
For more information:
FTC on Reebok
Burlington Coat Factory penalized for selling recalled kids clothing
Sweatshirts and hoodies are as popular as ever for young kids going back to school. But when you're shopping, make sure there are no strings attached.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says it continues to find kids outerwear with drawstrings -- items that should not be on the market because of the strangulation or entanglement hazard.
Burlington Coat Factory just agreed to pay a $1.5 million penalty - the largest penalty of its kind - for selling kids drawstring outerwear that had been recalled, and for not alerting CPSC promptly that kids' clothing with drawstrings was being supplied to the store.
Burlington Coat Factory disputes the governments allegations.
For more information:
CPSC on Burlington Coat Factory
Sears, Kmart recall dehumidifiers due to fire and burn hazard
Sears and Kmart are conducting a massive recall of dehumidifiers that can overheat, smoke and catch fire.
The recall involves 795,000 dehumidifiers with the Kenmore brand, manufactured by LG Electronics and sold between 2003 and 2009. There have been 107 reported injuries and $7 million in damage. Customers should stop using the dehumidifiers immediately and contact the store for either a refund or a Sears gift card worth up to $100.
For more information:
CPSC on recall
Watch out for elections scams
Cast your ballot, but keep an eye out for the scams aimed at getting your money or personal information.
With the election season in full swing now, scammers are adding election schemes to their bags of tricks. It could be over the phone, door-to-door, via e-mail or snail mail. Just remember: never give personal information or money until you independently verify who you're dealing with.
For more information:
BBB on election scams
After months of waiting, thousands of people hoping for tighter tushes will get a fat check instead.
Reebok is finally mailing millions of dollars in refunds to settle charges of deceptive advertising. The company is the first of two major manufacturers named in a Federal Trade Commission crackdown against what regulators call over-hyped and unsubstantiated health claims about toning shoes.
Sketchers settled with the FTC last spring and will pay $40 million once that settlement is finalized. Reebok agreed to a settlement last fall and will pay $25 million to 315,000 consumers who bought the shoes.
If you filed a claim in the Reebok case, the FTC says your check will total about 87 percent of what you filed for in your claim. You have to cash the check by Nov. 6.
Reebok says it stands behind its toning technology and only settled to avoid a costly court case.
For more information:
FTC on Reebok
Burlington Coat Factory penalized for selling recalled kids clothing
Sweatshirts and hoodies are as popular as ever for young kids going back to school. But when you're shopping, make sure there are no strings attached.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says it continues to find kids outerwear with drawstrings -- items that should not be on the market because of the strangulation or entanglement hazard.
Burlington Coat Factory just agreed to pay a $1.5 million penalty - the largest penalty of its kind - for selling kids drawstring outerwear that had been recalled, and for not alerting CPSC promptly that kids' clothing with drawstrings was being supplied to the store.
Burlington Coat Factory disputes the governments allegations.
For more information:
CPSC on Burlington Coat Factory
Sears, Kmart recall dehumidifiers due to fire and burn hazard
Sears and Kmart are conducting a massive recall of dehumidifiers that can overheat, smoke and catch fire.
The recall involves 795,000 dehumidifiers with the Kenmore brand, manufactured by LG Electronics and sold between 2003 and 2009. There have been 107 reported injuries and $7 million in damage. Customers should stop using the dehumidifiers immediately and contact the store for either a refund or a Sears gift card worth up to $100.
For more information:
CPSC on recall
Watch out for elections scams
Cast your ballot, but keep an eye out for the scams aimed at getting your money or personal information.
With the election season in full swing now, scammers are adding election schemes to their bags of tricks. It could be over the phone, door-to-door, via e-mail or snail mail. Just remember: never give personal information or money until you independently verify who you're dealing with.
For more information:
BBB on election scams
