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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reminding consumers that September 15 is the last day to apply for refunds if they purchased Airborned Health products between 2001 and 2007.

Consumers who bought the Airborne-branded products Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Airborne On-the-Go, Airborne Power Pixies, Airborne Nighttime, Airborne Jr., Airborne Gummis, and Airborne Seasonal Relief between May 1, 2001 and November 29, 2007 are eligible for refunds. Consumers who have receipts can apply for a refund for the full amount. Those without receipts can apply for refunds for up to six product purchases, and should visit the Web site for further details.

Find out if you’re eligible at the Airborne Health refund site.

Posted under Health, Products

The Internal Revenue Service urged taxpayers to check to see if they qualify for the telephone excise tax refund after more than 10 million early filers did not request the one-time refund.

The agency said that about 30 percent of all taxpayers did not request the telephone tax refund.

“Many taxpayers are overlooking this special refund and the chance to get a bigger refund,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “We encourage taxpayers to spend a few extra minutes reviewing their tax return to make sure they are making an accurate request. A little extra time can mean a bigger refund check.”

The government stopped collecting the long-distance excise tax last August after several federal court decisions held that the tax does not apply to long-distance service as it is billed today. Federal officials also authorized a one-time refund of the federal excise tax collected on service billed during the previous 41 months, stretching from the beginning of March 2003 to the end of July 2006. The tax continues to apply to local-only phone service.

To make the refund easier to figure, the government established a standard refund amount, based on personal exemptions, ranging from $30 to $60. If taxpayers have phone bills and other records, they can request the actual amount of excise tax paid. Though using the standard amount is optional, it is easy to figure and approximates the eligible amount for most individual taxpayers. Taxpayers only have to fill out one line on their return, and they don’t need to present proof to the IRS.

Out of the tax returns filed through Feb. 16, more than 10 million taxpayers did not request the telephone tax refund. And nearly half of those returns — more than 4.8 million — were completed by a tax preparer.

“We are surprised how many tax preparers are overlooking the telephone tax refund,” Everson said. “We want all taxpayers entitled to this refund to get it, whether they are using a tax preparer or doing the return themselves.”

For people requesting the telephone tax refund, it adds $30 to $60 — or even more — onto a refund. The IRS wants to make it as easy as possible for anyone who paid the tax to get this special refund. If you paid the tax and haven’t filed yet, here are some tips to help you figure the refund correctly and get it quickly:

* File electronically. Electronic-filing software flags often overlooked tax breaks and helps you figure them accurately and report them properly. If you use a professional tax preparer, ask that person to e-file your return.

* E-file for free. If your income is $52,000 or less, use the IRS’ Free File program to connect to a private-sector company offering free e-file services.

* Choose direct deposit. Whether you file electronically or on paper, you can get your refund at least a week sooner by having it deposited directly into your checking or savings account.

* Consider using the standard-refund amount for the telephone-tax refund. Though using the standard amount is optional, it is easy to figure and approximates the eligible amount for most individual taxpayers. You only have to fill out one line on your return, and you don’t need to present proof to the IRS. The standard amount, ranging from $30 to $60, is based on the number of exemptions you can claim on your return.

* If you paid more than the standard amount, you may figure your refund using the actual amount of tax shown on your phone bills and other records. Base your refund request on the three-percent federal tax paid, not the total phone bill. Do not count tax paid on local-only service. You must have the phone bills or other records adequate to support the amount you are requesting. These documents should not be sent along with the refund request but should be retained in case the IRS questions the amount requested.

* Do not file duplicate requests. If you file a regular income-tax return, do not file Form 1040EZ-T. Designed exclusively for requesting the telephone-tax refund, this simple form is for people who don’t need to file a regular income-tax return. If you want to take advantage of the earned income tax credit for low and moderate income workers, the child tax credit or other tax breaks, file a regular return and include your telephone-tax refund request on that return.

* Stay away from tax preparers who falsely claim that many, if not most, phone customers can get hundreds of dollars or more back under this program.

Posted under Finance

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna has announced a settlement with CompuVest, a Renton, WA-based corporation that sells computers via the Internet. The company will refund consumers and pay more than $20,000 to resolve allegations that it failed to honor warranties and misrepresented its products and return policies.

“Businesses have an obligation to fully disclose all terms in their return policies and warranties and honor those guarantees,” McKenna said. “The Attorney General’s Office alerted CompuVest to our concerns more than a year ago, but customers continued to complain that they were charged fees for returning wrong orders and failed to receive full refunds or replacements for defective products.”

CompuVest sells new, used and refurbished computers and other electronics online.

McKenna said the agreement filed in King County Superior Court does not include an admission or finding of wrongdoing, but helps assure CompuVest complies with the Consumer Protection Act. The company will pay $50,000 in civil penalties, with $40,000 suspended on condition that it comply with the settlement terms, and approximately $12,300 in legal costs and attorneys’ fees.

“CompuVest agrees to disclose its return policies, honor warranties and accurately describe products. The company will also refund consumers who have filed complaints with our office,” McKenna said.

Today’s agreement concludes an investigation by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection High-Tech Unit.

According to the state’s complaint, CompuVest’s return policy indicated that customers would be charged a 15 percent restocking fee for returned merchandise that is not defective. But the policy failed to state that the company would test returned items and charge a restocking fee and shipping fees for those it declared to be operable. The suit alleges that numerous customers who returned defective items were charged such fees. Customers were denied replacements for items still under warranty and told they would have to pay to have the item returned.

The state also alleged that CompuVest failed to deliver items when promised or make timely refunds for items that weren’t received. Product descriptions and compatibility information included misrepresentations; in some cases, products described as new were actually used or refurbished.

The Attorney General’s Office has received approximately 25 consumer complaints about CompuVest since the end of 2001. The Better Business Bureau also received complaints.

The agreement requires CompuVest to refund or otherwise adjust consumer complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Office since January 2005 and those received during the next 180 days.

Consumers who believe they are entitled to a refund should file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office online at www.atg.wa.gov or call 1-800-551-4636 to request a complaint form. (Toll-free number only available in Washington state.)

Posted under Complaints

The web is full of stories of unsatisfied Nuperk customers, and for a while, it appeared that Consumer Help Web had a fast track with the company. After winning a much-deserved refund for a customer earlier this year, we were approached by another disgruntled Nuperk customer.

Shed reported that she used the Nuperk product without result, and returned the unused portion in accordance with the money back guarantee. She has outstanding documentation showing each contact to the organization, as well as her authorization to return the product for a refund. Although the product was received May 5, 2006 and an electronic copy of the signature exists, she has yet to receive her refund.

Nearly two months later, an employee who identified herself as “Bridgette” reportedly told her that she would notify the appropriate party to arrange the refund. Two days later, another employee named “Poonam” said approximately the same thing.

Our customer has sent three additional emails, which have also not received a response.

We sent the complaint details to Nuperk just like last time, but were stonewalled after two demand letters. We have since provided our customer with contact information for a good local consumer attorney as well as the direct contact information for her local consumer regulatory agency.

Posted under Complaints

Consumer Help was retained by a customer regarding unauthorized charges to her checking account and failure to deliver products or a promised refund.

Our customer reports that she replied to a $4.95 introductory offer in February 2006 and paid by check. She then reports that Momentum improperly debited her account without authorization for five consecutive months. She tells us she spoke with “Jeanie” on June 12, 2006, who promised to check with the shipping department and arrange for a refund if nothing was sent. On June 15, 2006, Ms. Johnsson spoke with “Jessica”, who told her that the refund request had been sent to the “refund manager”, whom she identified as “David”.

Jessica also reportedly told her that the account was closed and no more unauthorized deductions would be made from her checking account. Despite that assurance, our customer’s bank account was improperly debited again. She tells us that she has made additional telephone calls and sent an email, but has not received any further responses.

The full details of this complaint were sent to the company’s senior management in June 2006. They chose not to respond to multiple letters and contact attempts so we assisted in helping our customer build a case for legal or regulatory authorities.

Meanwhile, be careful — get promises in writing, even by fax or email if necessary.

Posted under Health

A group of 23 states have announced that Time Inc. will pay consumers over $4 million in refunds related to how the company processed renewals. Time is the publisher of its flagship weekly news magazine, as well as People, Sports Illustrated and other magazines.

“As they seek to meet the demands of competition and the marketplace, companies cannot compromise fairness to consumers,” said California Attorney General Bill Lockyer. “Every consumer has a right to be fully informed about the products they buy, and a right to not be charged for products they never asked for and do not want. That’s what this case is about. We’re pleased Time has agreed to reform its practices and provide restitution to consumers billed for unwanted subscriptions.”

Aside from the $4.3 million in refunds, Time will pay the 23 states a total of $4.5 million to cover their investigation costs.

The settlement resolves the states’ investigation into Time’s marketing and billing practices related to automatic renewal offers, its general billing and collection procedures, and its invoice look-alike solicitations. The states launched their probe after receiving complaints from consumers that Time was billing them or charging their credit cards for unwanted magazine subscriptions.

The complaints started after Time initiated an automatic renewal program that required consumers to affirmatively cancel subscriptions if they did not want them. The change broke with Time’s previous practice of offering limited-term subscriptions that customers could renew, if they desired, at the end of the term. Time made the change without adequately informing its customers, which caused confusion and generated numerous complaints.

Other consumer complaints focused on solicitations Time mailed consumers that appeared to be invoices and which lacked conspicuous disclosures required by law. The states’ investigation found that these mail solicitations misled some consumers into paying for unwanted or unordered subscriptions.

In the 23 states, more than 108,000 customers will be eligible to receive restitution. Eligible customers include many of those who paid for magazine subscriptions that were automatically renewed between January 1998 and May 2004.

Within the next three months, Time will send state-approved refund letters and claim forms directly to consumers who may be eligible. The letters will explain the settlement and contain instructions on how to apply for refunds. Consumers should look for an envelope from Time that says “REFUND OFFER ENCLOSED.” There is no need for consumers to a state office or attorney to qualify or apply for a refund.

Aside from the monetary payments, Time agreed to adopt reforms of the practices targeted by the states’ investigation. Among the reforms, Time will:

● Clearly and conspicuously disclose to consumers all material terms for automatic subscription renewals. For the next five years, consumers will have the opportunity to affirmatively indicate whether they want to exercise the automatic renewal option. Before the end of the subscription period, Time will send customers written reminders of the automatic renewal, their right to cancel the subscription and the procedure for cancellation.

● Honor all requests to cancel subscriptions as soon as reasonably possible. If customers are charged for magazines they did not order, Time will refund the subscription price.

● Not mail to consumers subscription solicitations that resemble bills, invoices or statements of accounts due.

● Not submit the unpaid accounts of automatic renewal customers to third-party debt collectors.

Posted under Customer Service, Recalls

Unclaimed refunds totaling more than $2 billion are awaiting about 1.7 million people who failed to file a federal income tax return for 2002, the Internal Revenue Service announced last week. However, in order to collect the money, a return for 2002 must be filed with an IRS office no later than April 17, 2006.

The IRS estimates that half of those who could claim refunds would receive more than $570. In some cases, individuals had taxes withheld from their wages, or made payments against their taxes out of self-employed earnings, but had too little income to require filing a tax return. Some taxpayers may also be eligible for the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit.

“We want people to get the refunds they’re entitled to,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson. “We urge taxpayers to double-check their records before the April 17th deadline. Taxpayers can’t get a refund if they don’t file a tax return.”

In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim the refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury. For 2002 returns, the window closes on April 17, 2006. The law requires that the return be properly addressed, postmarked and mailed by that date. There is no penalty assessed by the IRS for filing a late return qualifying for a refund.

The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2002 refund that their checks will be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2003 or 2004. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS and may be used to satisfy unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans.

By failing to file a return, individuals stand to lose more than refunds of taxes withheld or paid during 2002. Many low-income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Although eligible taxpayers may get a refund when their EITC is more than what they owe in tax, those who file returns more than three years late would be able only to apply it toward the taxes they owe (if any). They would not be able to receive a refund if the credit exceeded their tax.

Generally, individuals qualified for the EITC if in 2002 they earned less than $33,178 and had more than one qualifying child living with them, earned less than $29,201 with one qualifying child, or earned less than $11,060 and had no qualifying child.

Posted under Finance