All Consuming

Four years for 'Spam King' Soloway

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:20:21 GMT

"Spam King" Robert Soloway was sentenced to nearly four years in prison today.

When buying cars or goods in other states, remember Washington’s use tax

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:16:24 GMT

You might have seen recent news reports about the new so-called “Internet tax.” Starting July 1, Washington joined 18 other states in requiring some e-commerce businesses to collect sales tax. Tax will be collected based on the location of the buyer, not the seller.

But what happens when you buy something in another state and bring it here yourself?

AG's new Internet safety site covers online gaming to senior dating

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:10:38 GMT

The Attorney General’s Office, in partnership with national Internet safety expert Linda Criddle, recently updated its Internet Safety Web pages to better inform youth, adults, teachers and seniors about how to reduce risk online. ...

FDA lifts warning on tomatoes

AGO Blog Moderator — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:44:29 GMT

According to the FDA, it is now safe to eat all kinds of tomatoes again.

Free ring tones may come with hidden costs

AGO Blog Moderator — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:51:42 GMT

Many Web sites advertise free ring tones. But are they really free?

Free website lets you know if car was stolen or totaled

AGO Blog Moderator — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:07:19 GMT

The National Insurance Crime Bureau recently unveiled a database of vehicles that were stolen, but not recovered, or declared totaled by insurers. And you can search it for free! ...

Saving on Rx drugs -- risks and deals

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:42:36 GMT

A recent study found that 85 percent of Web sites that sold prescription drugs directly to consumers didn’t require a doctor’s prescription. ... The Attorney General’s Office has a new Prescription Drug Pricing site...

Judge ponders prison time for 'Spam King'

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:22:51 GMT

A federal judge is apparently having a difficult time determining an appropriate penalty for “Spam King” Robert Soloway.

Bonnie of 'Bonnie and Clyde' ID thieves pleads guilty

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:03:13 GMT

Justice caught up to a 22-year-old identity thief on Monday on Philidelphia. Jocelyn Kirsch, a former Drexel University student, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and other federal charges. ...

Call forwarding scam a favorite for inmates

AGO Blog Moderator — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:56:30 GMT

Inmates have discovered a sneaky way to trick consumers into paying for long-distance phone calls – often to foreign countries. The "call forwarding" or "*72" scam has been around for years but many consumers don’t know about it.

“Grandparent scam” targets Washington elderly again

AGO Blog Moderator — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:11:39 GMT

If your grandchild called seeking help, would you send money? The Washington Attorney General’s Office is warning Washington residents about the “grandparent scam,” where cons posing as relatives try to convince elderly victims to wire cash to help pay for emergency car repairs, medical bills – or even post bail.

FAQ about Washington’s new distressed homeowner law

AGO Blog Moderator — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:34:19 GMT

A new state law proposed by the Washington Attorney General’s Office to help protect financially strapped homeowners from equity skimming and foreclosure rescue scams became effective in Washington on June 12 ...

FTC survey - Do current laws help ID theft victims?

AGO Blog Moderator — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:12:00 GMT

The Federal Trade Commission plans to survey identity theft victims to inquire about their experiences when they contacted credit reporting agencies for help. ...

Banking by phone? Zip your lip in public.

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:05:48 GMT

Banking by phone is convenient, but some folks carelessly share their private financial information within range of eavesdroppers. ...

State gas tax increases today

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:22:14 GMT

Washington's gas tax increased today by a penny-and-a-half to 37.5 cents a gallon. Here are tips to help you spend less at the pump.

Free: TransUnion credit monitoring and score

AGO Blog Moderator — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:57:20 GMT

TransUnion reached a preliminary agreement in a class action lawsuit last month, under which millions of consumers will get their credit score and up to nine months of credit-monitoring service for free. ...

States accuse Countrywide of predatory lending

AGO Blog Moderator — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:25:27 GMT

Gov. Chris Gregoire and the state Department of Financial Institutions have accused Countrywide Financial Corp. of discriminating against minority borrowers ...

Washington woman sentenced in fake check scam

AGO Blog Moderator — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:06:19 GMT

An Olympia, Wash., woman was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison for her role in an counterfeit check scam ...

Ebay adds fraud protection for PayPal users

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:47:03 GMT

EBay is promising full protection for buyers who pay for items using its PayPal system....

More on the digital TV switch -- and misleading ads!

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:17:00 GMT

As we’ve mentioned on All Consuming, TV is going digital. ... But an Ohio-based company called Universal TechTronics is running misleading ads promising a free a digital converter box.

Former smoke shop owner guilty of debit-card scam

AGO Blog Moderator — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:04:08 GMT

A former smoke shop owner pleaded guilty in federal court to skimming information from debit and credit cards belonging to 300 victims, the Seattle P-I reported.

Expired tires can lead to a blowout

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:02:09 GMT

Your tires, like the cans in your pantry, have an expiration date. If your wheels aren’t fresh, you may be headed for a blowout.

Dying hard drive? Try the freezer.

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:40:08 GMT

While working on a late-night deadline assignment several years ago, I spilled a glass of water on my office laptop. The liquid flowed through the keyboard into the circuitry. Suddenly, the screen went black. Then an ugly image appeared ...

Phony escrow companies take your money and run

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:52:41 GMT

Better Business Bureau (BBB) headquarters issued a warning this week to online car shoppers: Watch out for phony escrow services.

States take stance on product safety standards

AGO Blog Moderator — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:57:47 GMT

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna today urged members of Congress to adopt legislation that would increase the ability of state attorneys general to protect consumers from lead-tainted products ...

Make sure your limo is licensed

AGO Blog Moderator — Fri, 23 May 2008 21:14:09 GMT

It's prom and wedding season. If you plan to hire a limo or town car to celebrate, make sure it's licensed and legitimate, says the state Department of Licensing.

Miracle fuel boost? “Just add water”

AGO Blog Moderator — Thu, 22 May 2008 01:09:02 GMT

Have you seen ads claiming you can increase your car’s gas mileage at least 25 percent by purchasing devices and then simply adding water?

“Baby, You Ought to be in Pictures” - – Evading Modeling and Acting Scams

AGO Blog Moderator — Wed, 21 May 2008 23:37:43 GMT

Think you or your kid has what it takes to become the next Covergirl or Hollywood sensation? Some so-called “talent scouts” are more interested in your money than your talent. Read today’s Ask the AG column to learn how the industry works and help meet a legitimate talent agent in our market.

Comparison of local grocery prices

AGO Blog Moderator — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:31:25 GMT

Do those grocery “rewards” cars actually save you money? KING 5’s Tim Robinson visited QFC, Metropolitan Market and Safeway in Seattle and bought the same eight items at each store – chicken, spaghetti sauce, pasta, milk, eggs, bread, pizza and soda.

Recognizing a phone scam

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:47:33 GMT

Can you recognize a phone fraudster? The Federal Trade Commission today announced a new consumer education campaign named "Who's Calling?" that aims to combat telemarketing scams ...

FTC's major telemarketing fraud crackdown

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:24:39 GMT

The Federal Trade Commission today announced its largest telemarketing fraud sweep ever. Called “Operation Tele-PHONEY,” the crackdown includes 180 criminal and civil cases involving advance-fee loan offers, sweepstakes pitches, “free” gifts, prescription drug plans, bogus tax rebates and scams where consumers were sent households goods they never ordered ...

Don't ignore a parking ticket on a private lot

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:41:22 GMT

Ever since our 2007 case with Parking Enforcement Services, our office receives questions from drivers concerning whether they can be “ticketed” when they park on private property.

Son's $ 5,174 cell phone bill includes a good lesson

AGO Blog Moderator — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:57:07 GMT

A KOMO news report about a mom whose son ran up a $5,174 cell phone bill includes a good lesson. According to the story, the consumer didn’t pay to block Internet access because her son had agreed not to use his phone online.

Your gift card may be in Chapter 11

AGO Blog Moderator — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:42:44 GMT

Gift cards are convenient and extremely popular. But consumers who don’t plan to use gift cards quickly may be throwing away their money. ...

Save while using your cell overseas

AGO Blog Moderator — Sat, 10 May 2008 00:36:54 GMT

Here's a useful article from the Columbia Tribune in Missouri – via the Missouri AG’s Consumer Corner blog -- on how to save money when using your cell phone in another country.

Parents reminded to view video game ratings; Grand Theft Auto IV controversy

AGO Blog Moderator — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:47:59 GMT

“Grand Theft Auto IV” sold 6 million copies in its first week. Parents whose kids are begging them to buy what has quickly become the most popular video game or other games, for that matter, are reminded to read ratings to ensure that content is suitable for their children ...

Traveling sales - the job ad might not tell the full story

AGO Blog Moderator — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:46:07 GMT

Here’s a warning, via the Better Business Bureau, for students looking for summer work. A classified ad that reads, "travel the nation, high pay, all transportation and expenses paid," may seem too good to be true, and it probably is.

Free pizza for a VISA? College kids wooed by offers

AGO Blog Moderator — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:06:48 GMT

Credit card companies are wooing college students with everything from free pizza and T-shirts to airline miles and an iPod shuffle in exchange for filling out a credit application.

Agreement to help protect kids on Facebook

AGO Blog Moderator — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:38:30 GMT

Facebook has agreed to take significant steps to better protect children on its Web site. Attorneys general nationwide signed an agreement with Facebook, in which they emphasize their shared goal of protecting children from inappropriate content and unwanted contact by adults.

Use Internet for phone calls? Make sure you can be found in an emergency

AGO Blog Moderator — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:22:31 GMT

A warning to anyone who uses the Internet for phone service: make sure that your service provider knows your current address.

Stimulus check scams

AGO Blog Moderator — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:36:40 GMT

Always eager to latch on to the latest issue, cons are trying to pass themselves off as the IRS and sending phishing messages like this one titled “Economic Stimulus Refund Program” that came to our Ask the AG e-mail address.

Scam alert: Cons posing as utility workers

AGO Blog Moderator — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:34:06 GMT

Seattle City Light is warning customers about a recent telephone scam. At least four customers have reported phone calls from people claiming to be Seattle City Light employees.

Tax return identity theft

AGO Blog Moderator — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:48:39 GMT

A Bellevue resident discovered that someone fraudulently filed her tax return and received a $34,000 refund, according to this frightening article in the Seattle P-I.

Feds propose credit card and overdraft protections

AGO Blog Moderator — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:22:59 GMT

The Federal Reserve Board on Friday proposed rules to prohibit unfair practices regarding credit cards and overdraft services. The rules would protect consumers from unexpected increases in the rate charged on pre-existing credit card balances and offer consumers some protections on overdraft charges.

Free forums offer help for manufactured home owners and landlords

AGO Blog Moderator — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:04:16 GMT

A new state government program is helping resolve disputes between manufactured home owners and their landlords. A statewide tour titled “Don’t Move It; Solve It,” is educating homeowners and landlords about their legal rights and how the Attorney General’s Office can help them resolve problems. Staff from the Attorney General’s Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program will conduct a presentation and answer questions during three forums this month in Eastern Washington.

Internet affiliate advertisers violated Washington spyware law

AGO Blog Moderator — Fri, 02 May 2008 23:27:50 GMT

It’s been a busy week for the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection High-Tech Fraud Unit, which announced three wins this week alone.

Free spam and telemarketing calls! 100% legit! Act now!!!

AGO Blog Moderator — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:35:23 GMT

Totally Free Flatscreen TV/LCD Monitor!
ABSOLUTELY FREE GIFT CARDS!
Caribbean Vacation - All Expenses Paid!!!

You can have it all for nothing! And it’s so easy! All you have to do is complete an online survey. Or sign up for a trial subscription for some service. Or spam a few friends … oops, we mean make a few “referrals.”

But did you ever think about what happens with all the information you send over the Internet? Chances are it’s being dumped into a marketing database to be sold over and over again.

Phishing attack targets CEOs with fake subpoena

AGO Blog Moderator — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:43:09 GMT

High-ranking business executives across the country have received e-mail messages in recent weeks that appear to be official subpoenas from the United States District Court in San Diego.

Free shredding, ID theft forum Friday in Redmond

AGO Blog Moderator — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:53:13 GMT

Attorney General Rob McKenna, a representative from AARP and others will be in Redmond this Friday for the second leg of our popular GUARD-IT! Washington identity theft tour. Come learn how to protect yourself or your business. Frontline will be on site to destroy sensitive documents for consumers and small businesses at no charge.

How to spend less at the gas pump

AGO Blog Moderator — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:12:45 GMT

Attorney General Rob McKenna today released the final results from the state’s year-long investigation into gas prices. ... Here are tips to help you spend less money on gas...