ConsumerSafety.com

Be careful whenever you are contacted by someone offering to help you do something that is government-related, or if they claim they are from the government. Typically the government communicates through official established channels such as the news or their website. Regardless of how you hear about something like tax rebates or homestead exemptions or Social Security checks, be sure to check it out for yourself on the official government website such as www.irs.gov or www.whitehouse.gov (be sure to note the “.gov” domain extension on the website address).

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CONSUMER ALERT Scammers Taking Advantage Of New Federal Economic Stimulus Package Texans should be aware of a scam that has emerged in connection with the proposed federal economic stimulus package. Under recently passed legislation, the IRS will mail tax rebate checks to eligible Texans over the next few months. President Bush has indicated he will sign the package into law on Wednesday. Several Texans recently filed complaints with the Office of the Attorney General after receiving unsolicited e-mails and telephone calls from purported IRS agents claiming that the taxpayers are eligible for “Bush refunds.” The scammers demand taxpayers’ Social Security and bank account numbers, claiming the IRS will use the information to directly deposit “rebate checks” into the taxpayers’ accounts. This is outright identity theft fraud. The IRS does not call or e-mail taxpayers unexpectedly to demand personal information for direct deposits. Taxpayers solicited in this manner should just hang up or delete the e-mail. Texans who have received these bogus solicitations can file a complaint with the IRS at www.irs.gov or by calling (800) 829-1040. Consumers also can report such calls to our office. Greg Abbott Attorney General of Texas

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Starbucks stock has reportedly lost half its value over the past 12 months. A weakening in the economy has something to do with it, as well as a new competitor of sorts… McDonalds.

McDonalds? Yeah, I said the same thing at first. But after thinking about it for a moment, I guess it did not sound that strange after all. You see, I have been drinking McDonalds’ coffee for the past two years of my own volition – meaning, I like it. In fact, I like it a lot (with 9 sugars and 5 creams in my large, please). It, like Starbucks, both beat the heck out of gas station or restaurant coffee. But often times Starbucks coffee tastes burned or over roasted to me. However, I still enjoy coffee drinks at Starbucks, even if their regular coffee has now has a new rival. But, that is exactly where McDonalds plans to take aim – in the specialty coffee drinks market.

Last week I heard that a Starbucks in Seattle is now offering a cup of coffee for a dollar. It is called a “short”. I would assume that it is shorter than their “tall”, which I have always known as their shortest. Perhaps Starbucks is getting serious, now that McDonalds is. It will be interesting to see how the beans roast on this one.

In the ongoing saga over whether HD DVD or Blu-ray will be the ultimate DVD standard, Blu-ray just moved ahead with backing from Warner Brothers Studios. Currently Blue-ray represents about 70% of the market.

We’ll find out soon enough if the format battle will finally be over, it surely will make things easier for the consumer and prevent any inconvenience due to movie releases only being available in one particular format.

Sometimes I get my oil changed at Wal-Mart or Kwik Kar because the trouble saved with messing with the under pan on a Lexus is worth the extra money. But with my Suburban, I do it myself because it is so high off the ground it doesn’t need to be jacked up. It takes less than 15 minutes, and I save enough money for a dinner out.

There is nothing wrong with using an oil change services provider, unless…

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Well, at least for the state New York – being trapped due to flight delays may in the future not be as horrible as it can be now.  Under a new state law that is expected to take effect on January 1st, called the Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights, airlines must provide “fresh air” and “adequate food and drinking water” and there are violation penalties involved for the airliners… up to $1,000 per passenger.

This is an interesting development and hopefully passengers will receive some more deserved respect and better service in the future.

Yesterday, Jan. 1, was the first date that you could apply for coupons for digital-to-analog converter boxes. They will take the digital-TV signals and convert them to analog so that your current or older analog set will still be usable after analog transmitters are turned off on Feb. 17, 2009.

The boxes are expected to sell for between $50 to $70. You may apply for two $40 coupons to use toward the purchase of these boxes, one coupon per box. The coupons expire 90 days after they are issued, so BE SURE you are ready to make your purchase before you apply…
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Due to a new federal safety rule that is effective January 1, 2008, passengers are no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage. Batteries are still allowed in their respecitve devices, regardless of whether checked or carry-on (in plastic bags), or extra batteries can be loose if carried on. That impacts notebook computers, mobile phones, PDAs, digital cameras, and other personal consumer devices that use lithium ion batteries.

Here is what the US Department Of Transportation says on their website:

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Consumer Product Safety Commission reports:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that HSN LP (previously known as Home Shopping Network), of St. Petersburg, Fla., has agreed (pdf) to pay a civil penalty of $875,000. The civil penalty settles allegations that HSN LP failed to report in a timely manner, as required by federal law, serious injuries and hazards with the Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cookers.
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As reported by CNN:

United States – The FCC voted in 2002
to allow cell phone carriers to begin allowing their
analog networks to go offline beginning February
18, 2008. As this date is fast approaching, as
many as 500,000 OnStar users will no longer
have access to emergency services.
It is believed as many as one million
cell phone users will be shut out, as will about
400,000 wireless home security systems.
Many people are also completely unaware
this shutdown is coming.

This is just one example of progress
and obsolescence. Next on the horizon is
the advent and takeover of high definition video.
Per FCC directives, all TV stations in the US will
be required to broadcast in HD and analog will
be left by the wayside.

Today I was ticked off that nobody makes the Flash and other plug-ins for Windows 98 that the web browser needs to play kiddie games and other media. A parent can’t even give their kids a hand-me-down computer anymore.

Consumer Reports calls them “bad bets”. The top ten for 2007 are:

1. BMW 7-Series
2. Infiniti QX56
3. Jaguar S-Type
4. Jaguar X-Type
5. Mercedes-Benz M-Class (V8)
6. Mercedes-Benz SL
7. Nissan Armada
8. Nissan Titan
9. Volkswagen Touareg
10. Volvo XC90 (6-cyl.)

The winners (“good bets”) are not so surprising:

1. Honda Civic
2. Honda CR-V
3. Honda Element
4. Lexus ES
5. Lexus LS
6. Toyota 4Runner
7. Toyota Highlander
8. Toyota Land Cruiser
9. Toyota Prius
10. Toyota RAV4