Consumer Law

Cyber Monday shopping tips

Posted on December 01, 2008
Cyber Monday, a term coined by the National Retail Federation in 2005 to describe the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday, is the ceremonial kickoff for the online retail season. If you plan on clicking and saving today, the Attorney General?s Office strongly suggests that you only shop on company sites that you know and trust.

Creator of copycat financial Web site on the hook for violating phishing law

Posted on December 01, 2008
The Washington Attorney General?s Office says a Pinole, Calif., man?s mirror-image version of Russell Investments? site violated the state?s anti-phishing law.

Should you really say no to gift cards?

Posted on November 26, 2008
I?ve seen quite a few news reports lately warning consumers not to purchase gift cards this season so they don?t get stuck with worthless plastic when a store goes out of business. I?ve also been the recipient of an ominous e-mail that?s been forwarded over and over ...

Federal ?Used Car Rule? needs a tune-up

Posted on November 21, 2008
The federal ?Used Car Rule? needs a tune-up. Forty-two attorneys general are asking the Federal Trade Commission to add additional disclosures about a vehicle?s history to the ?Buyer?s Guide? notice displayed on cars available for purchase from dealers.

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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac suspend foreclosures

Posted on November 20, 2008
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage-finance companies seized by the U.S. government, will suspend home foreclosures and evictions over the holidays.

All My Sons movers must come to a halt

Posted on November 19, 2008
Citing deceptive business practices, the state Utilities and Transportation Commission cancelled the operating permit for Kent-based residential moving company All My Sons, citing deceptive business practices and numerous violations of state regulations...

MyLuvCrush a not-so-sweet nothing

Posted on November 17, 2008
Money can?t buy love. But that didn?t stop a Washington-based company from tempting Internet users with the chance to learn the identity of a secret admirer. Unfortunately, any lonely hearts or curious souls who may have bit at Tatto Media, Inc.?s promotion lost out...

?Live rent-free? ad was too good to be true

Posted on November 13, 2008
-KIRO TV interviewed me for an investigative report about a too-good-to-be-true classified ad promising the chance to live rent-free as an apartment manager. ...

Attorney General sues Washington business that promised Web hits but struck out in customer service

Posted on November 13, 2008
The Washington Attorney General?s Office is suing a Redmond-based seller of e-commerce services whose failed promises to rev up Web traffic for small businesses drove many customers to file complaints. The lawsuit accuses Visible.net, Captures.com and their owner, Gilbert Walker, of violating state consumer protection and telemarketing laws.

Fraud alert: Scam health insurance and Medicare card offers

Posted on November 10, 2008
When the economy struggles, fraudulent health insurers work overtime. ... Cons are now calling seniors, claiming to offer a new medical discount card for Medicaid and Medicare patients.

AGs reach agreement with Craigslist to crack down on illegal sex trade ads

Posted on November 06, 2008
Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced an agreement with Craigslist in which the online classified site will deter and crack down on inappropriate content and illegal activity in its ?erotic services? section.

Free gas vouchers leave consumers fuming

Posted on November 03, 2008
Vouchers offering free gas appeal to not only drivers, but also businesses looking for a low-cost promotional tool to lure potential customers to car dealerships, seminars, etc. But these incentives can be misleading.

Chase-WaMu to provide mortgage relief, help 400,000 avoid foreclosure

Posted on October 31, 2008
JPMorgan Chase, WaMu?s new owner, today announced a new loan modification program for borrowers with JPMorgan Chase, WaMu and EMC loans. ...

Stop Zombie PC attacks

Posted on October 31, 2008
Beware ? evil Zombies are lurking on the WWW -("wicked" wide Web)! If you don?t protect your PC, yours may become haunted.

Will supermarket shelves look back at you?

Posted on October 30, 2008
A Bellevue company that creates touch screens says it?s created a new tool that tracks consumers? faces as they look at interactive displays.

A credit report you probably don't know about

Posted on October 30, 2008
We've told you many times how to check your free credit report three times a year but there's another free report you may not know about -- it tracks your negative banking history, if you have one.

ID thieves skimming your info at gas pump and ATM

Posted on October 29, 2008
Cons are using credit and debit card skimmers more frequently to steal your account information when you buy gas, settle your restaurant tab or  pick up cigarettes.

Massaging beds may feel good, but don?t call them a cure-all

Posted on October 29, 2008
A thermal massaging bed might work wonders for a sore back but the Attorney General?s Office says when it comes to hype, manufacturers are limited to promoting their medical products to uses approved by federal regulators. Our Consumer Protection Division announced an agreement today with Ceragem ...

IRS opens hotline for identity theft victims

Posted on October 29, 2008
The IRS now has a toll-free number to assist identity theft victims. The new IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit will mark affected accounts so that identity theft issues may be resolved more quickly.

?Made in China? candy may be tainted

Posted on October 28, 2008
Fears about the toxic chemical compound melamine, the toxin at the center of China's tainted milk scandal, have many parents understandably concerned.

Law enforcement seek new tools to fight sneakier identity thieves

Posted on October 23, 2008
Law enforcement officers, prosecutors and private-sector fraud investigators say new technology and laws are needed to help prevent identity theft crimes in Washington and prosecute increasingly crafty and covert criminals.

Alert: Critical security hazard for MS Windows users

Posted on October 23, 2008
If you use Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, you need to download an important update ASAP!

Fake MS software

Posted on October 21, 2008

Modern-day pirates threaten computers & economy

Posted on October 21, 2008
It?s estimated that up to a third of all installed computer software is fake or pirated. Today, I joined Microsoft in drawing public attention to this serious threat to consumers, businesses and our economy. ...

Shred events in Everett and Kennewick this week

Posted on October 21, 2008
Couple of opportunities to have your personal information destroyed:

Higher credit scores needed for best rates

Posted on October 20, 2008
With the crisis in the nation's financial industry, lenders are becoming more stingy with extending credit to applicants. A higher credit score is now needed to qualify for the best interest rates. Here's what the change means to you ...

Pesky debt collectors may not be legit

Posted on October 20, 2008
KIRO TV recently interviewed Consumer Protection Chief Doug Walsh for a story about debt collectors who try to collect money you don?t actually owe. ...

Finances out of control? Ask an expert for free help today

Posted on October 20, 2008
Certified credit counselors from the nonprofit National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) are fielding questions online today on MSN Money's Ask a Credit Counselor board. ...

Coffee Break: Take back your identity!

Posted on October 20, 2008
National Protect Your Identity Week is October 19-25. The Federal Trade Commission?s ?ID Theft FaceOff? game is a fun way to learn basic tips to protect your personal information.

Attorney General says United Home Savers is a misnomer

Posted on October 17, 2008
They called themselves ?United Home Savers? and pledged to help homeowners facing foreclosure. But the Attorney General?s Office says a Florida-based business and its owners actually preyed on Washington residents.

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