KOMO - News - Consumer News

Early Black Friday ads not always accurate

Black Friday is still three weeks away, but you'll find lots of Black Friday sites already on the Web. They post ads that can help you get ready for the big shopping day after Thanksgiving.

Be wary of too-good-to-be-true credit card deals

Getting a credit card is getting harder, so a pitch for a "pre-approved" gold or platinum credit card with a "guaranteed line of credit" sounds mighty appealing.

Congress extends and expands credit for home buyers

Missed out on Cash for Clunkers? Congress has another deal for you: buy a home before May 1 and cut your tax bill. It's all part of the government effort to help the struggling housing industry.

Think you're scam proof? Try this online game

Through a new website called OnGuardOnLine.gov, the Federal Trade Commission offers interactive video games to help make you smarter by making you think about online auctions, laptop security, spyware, investments.

Sneak peeks at Black Friday deals?

The Black Friday ad trackers are in overdrive with leaked ads for the Friday after Thanksgiving.

House votes to accelerate credit card rules

The House voted on Wednesday to accelerate the enactment date of tough new rules for credit card companies after voters complained of a rise in interest rates and steep new fees.

AP IMPACT: Clunker pickups traded for new pickups

The most common deals under the government's $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program, aimed at putting more fuel-efficient cars on the road, replaced old Ford or Chevrolet pickups with new ones that got only marginally better gas mileage, according to an analysis of new federal data by The Associated Press.

Govt criticizes Toyota press release on floor mats

The government says Toyota Motor Corp. is misleading consumers about an investigation into problems with stuck gas pedals that led to a massive Toyota recall.

Expert: Obesity epidemic will eat our kids alive

Health professionals attended the first state-wide obesity forum at Children's Hospital on Friday to discuss the epidemic. "Some experts predict that this generation of kids will not live as long as their parents, solely because of this epidemic in obesity," the keynote speaker said.

Banks offering cash to clear out foreclosed properties

Despite loan modification programs to help struggling homeowners, many lenders are refusing to play ball and are proceeding with foreclosures. But some of those same lenders are quietly paying people to move out and find another place to live.