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A Casper the Friendly Ghost outdoor figurine has been recalled two days before Halloween.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that the 3 inch high figure has unacceptable levels of lead. The figures were priced from $1 to $3 and sold for almost three years in a variety of stores.

The manufacturer, Coyne and Company, has agreed to a full refund or credit for any figures that are returned. You can call the company anytime at (800) 336-8666.

Be safe this Halloween. Don’t forget our post about Safe Trick or Treating Tips if you are taking a little one trick-or-treating on Friday.

Posted under Recalls, Safety

The federal treasure trove from the FCIC — the folks you might hear on public service announcements as shipping from Pueblo, Colorado — have an amazing variety of books and information for no or little cost. One we especially like is a packet published with help from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Fraud Protection for Seniors.

The package includes helpful pamphlets about scams that sound too good to be and even tips on protecting your retirement savings. There are even hints on how to qualify marketing offers to ensure they are appropriate for you.

Ordering this free package of publications is easy:

• Send your name and address to Fraud Protection for Seniors, Pueblo, Colorado 81009
• Order Protecting Seniors From Fraud online
• Call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO or  (888) 878-3256, weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time and ask for the Fraud Protection for Seniors package.

Posted under Finance

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced that an upstate New York furniture chain must stop deceptive pricing schemes and deliver overdue furniture.

Utica-based Affordable Furniture received a cease and desist letter that gives the company two weeks to deliver all overdue furniture.  The company will also change its sales practices so that sales prices are disclosed showing the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), the store’s “customary” price and any sales price.

Posted under Complaints

Does anyone know what time it is?

Daylight savings time ended in some countries today.  European countries (except our bankrupt friends in Iceland) end daylight savings time the last Sunday in October. Depending on where in Europe you are, that means the switch is happening now.   Mexico and African countries observing daylight savings time also change now.

The United States and Canada change a week later.

U.S. readers:  take note of future time changes:

Sunday, November 2, 2008 - Daylight Savings Time ends in most of United States.

Sunday March 8, 2009 - Daylight Savings Time resumes in most of United States.

The official time clocks fall back or spring forward is 2:00 a.m., but that likely only matters to you if you’re working an overnight shift or sitting at a bar.   And, of course, if you use the ever-parternalistic Microsoft Windows, you’ll awaken on Sunday to a cheery message telling you that the difficult task of setting your system clock was taken care of by the company as you slumbered.

Posted under Travel

Two years after we reported on a Leapfrog recall affecting children 6 months to 36 months of age, word now comes that the company has recalled 35,000 units of a video game system.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission says rechargable batteries and power sources for the company’s game system marketed under the Didj name can overheat.  Twelve reports of overheating have been reported to the company thus far resulting in at least one reported minor burn.

The recharging base and battery, made in China, should no longer be used.  Consumers can call Leapfrog toll-free at (800) 701-5327 for more information.

Posted under Products, Recalls, Safety

Great Tax Scam book for sale

A California man who the government accused of promoting an improper tax loan scheme has agreed to an injunction against completing future transactions. The man, Scott Catchart or California, did not admit wrongdoing, but agreed to stop the 90 Percent Stock Loan Program.

Government attornies allege that Cathcart misprepresented the progam to consumers by stating that they could avoid income tax on any gains because the transaction was a “loan”, not a sale.

“The public should beware of promoters who promise miraculous tax benefits,” said Nathan J. Hochman, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.”

Posted under Finance

Almost every child in America between the ages of 4 and 12 participate in Halloween activities, says the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  The non-profit agency reports that 94 percent of children between those ages will trick-or-treat, attend parties or otherwise be involved during the holiday, which falls this year on a Friday.  The group released a list of tips today to help parents keep their children safe during the festivities.

Halloween Safety Tips - 10 Ways Parents Can Keep Children Safe

1. CHOOSE bright, flame-retardant costumes or add reflective tape to costumes and candy bags so children are easily seen in the dark.  Carry a glow stick or flashlight too.
2. PLAN a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets.
3. NEVER send young children out alone. They should always be accompanied by a parent or another trusted adult. Older children should also travel in groups.
4. ALWAYS walk younger children to a house’s door while they are trick-or-treating.  Do not let them enter a home unless you are with them.
5. BE SURE children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless you are with them.
6. REVIEW basic pedestrian safety rules that children should use when walking to and from houses.  Even familiar routes look different at night, especially to young eyes.
7. CONSIDER organizing a home or community party as an alternative to “trick-or-treating.”
8. MAKE sure children know their home phone number and address in case you get separated. Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency.
9. TEACH children to say “NO!” or “This is not my mother/father” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat or leave with them.  Also teach them that they should make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming and resisting.
10. REMIND children to remain alert and report suspicious incidents to parents and/or law enforcement

The non-profit NCMEC has assisted law enforcement in recovering more than 120,000 children and takes a proactive role such as publishing these Halloween safety tips.  There was no word on how to protect children (or adult!) teeth from stale candy corn.

Posted under Safety

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna, someone we’ve often covered, has again come to the front of the consumer pack and accussed a company of wrongdoing.

McKenna says that United Home Savers, a Florida company, violated multiple Washington regulations and is now out of business.  McKenna charged that the company and owners Stephanie and Darin Dietschy promoted a foreclosure assistance service that

can rescue homeowners from foreclosure. The company charged $1,200 or more up front and promised a refund if their services weren’t successful.

Instead, Washington Assistant Attorney General Jack Zurlini reported that the company did not help consumers and routine failed to refund those who complained.  The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is also investigating the company and others accused of preying on homeowners in danger of foreclosure.

As part of Blog Action Day earlier this week, Consumer Help Web documented a series of pages at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development that provide official federal advice on home mortgages and foreclosures.

Posted under Complaints, Finance

The global economic crisis that first began impacting businesses continues to destroy consumers.  Nest eggs carefully nurtured over decades are significantly down, the percentage of consumer credit being used is up even though consumer spending is down and house prices continue their free fall.

Most alarming is the number of houses with a delinquent mortgage and the record number of houses in formal foreclosure processes.

There are alternatives to foreclosure, but homeowners must be proactive.   One of the most overlooked resources for people to find assistance is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  You may know the agency’s name as “HUD”.    Of the many agencies battered by this unique crisis in our lifetimes, HUD has shown that it is one of the best in communicating to consumers about their options.

Consumer Help Web is honored to help HUD spread that message during Blog Action Day.

Among the services offered by HUD is a list of housing counseling agencies where consumers can get straight talk about their options.  There is also a great advisory on foreclosure scams everyone should read.  There is even a list and advice about alternatives when a housing lender won’t work with you.

Start at the main HUD Guide To Avoiding Foreclosure and become educated.  Knowledge is power, and seeing a U.S. agency step up timely and helpful information is a welcome sight.

Posted under Finance

Heavy darts with projectile tips tossed in the air and burying deep into all but the most hardened dirt or grass were a popular game a generation ago.  They were called lawn darts, and they were fun until as Mom said, someone loses an eye.

That happened far too often, as did other injuries, and lawn darts were banned twenty years ago because they’re essentially little arrows with weighted shafts.

Two companies were apparently selling these as a deluxe family entertainment package for about sixty bucks.  If you bought one, you need to send them back for a refund.   Thanks to the CPSC jumping on this issue fast, refunds should be relatively easy to arrange.   Simply call the distributor toll free at (877) 374-8881 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. MT Monday through Friday.

Many recalls are for a potential hazard.  This one is for a very real hazard.  Unless you’ve got an archery range set up at your home, leave the flying darts alone because these particular beauties have a shaft that is more than one foot long.

Posted under Products, Recalls