Consumer Law

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

Posted on May 08, 2008
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

Posted on May 08, 2008
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

Posted on May 08, 2008
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.

Stimulus check scams

Posted on May 07, 2008
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.

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Scam alert: Cons posing as utility workers

Posted on May 07, 2008
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.

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

Posted on May 07, 2008
A warning to anyone who uses the Internet for phone service: make sure that your service provider knows your current address.

Tax return identity theft

Posted on May 06, 2008
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

Posted on May 06, 2008
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

Posted on May 06, 2008
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...

Internet affiliate advertisers violated Washington spyware law

Posted on May 02, 2008
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!!!

Posted on May 02, 2008
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...

Phishing attack targets CEOs with fake subpoena

Posted on April 23, 2008
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

Posted on April 22, 2008
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

Posted on April 17, 2008
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...

Internet Advancement to refund small business customers

Posted on April 09, 2008
A Washington-based company that sells search-engine optimization services to small businesses is prohibited from selling or advertising them to new customers and must permit cancellation of existing contracts, according to a settlement announced Tuesday by Attorney General Rob McKenna...

Free shredding, ID theft forum tomorrow in Wenatchee

Posted on April 09, 2008
Attorney General Rob McKenna, Federal Trade Commission Regional Director Chuck Harwood and others will be in Wenatchee tomorrow, April 10, for the second leg of our popular GUARD-IT! Washington identity theft tour.

TJ Maxx, Siesint settle federal data breach charges

Posted on March 31, 2008
TJX, the parent company of retailers T.J. Maxx and Marshalls and  data brokers Reed Elsevier and Seisint reached settlements with the Federal Trade Commission last week in two unrelated data breach cases. ... The Attorney General's Office encourages businesses to read this guide for protecting personal information.

Speak up about PSE and NW Natural Gas rate increases

Posted on March 31, 2008
Puget Sound Energy and Northwest Natural Gas customers have an opportunity to tell state regulators what they think about proposed utility rate increases ...

New program helps manufactured homeowners and landlords resolve disputes

Posted on March 26, 2008
A new state government program is helping resolve disputes between manufactured home owners and their landlords. ... Homeowners, landlords and property managers can learn more by attending one of our free ?Don?t Move It; Solve It? public forums. ...

Are you vulnerable to Windows Messenger pop-ups?

Posted on March 25, 2008
If your computer is running Microsoft Windows and you haven?t downloaded on the latest patches and updates, you may be vulnerable to a type of scam that uses Windows Messenger Service pop-ups. We filed a lawsuit today accusing a Scottsdale, Ariz., man of coercing consumers to buy software to block computer pop-ups by first bombarding them with ads for pornography and Viagra...

Identity theft prevention for travelers

Posted on March 24, 2008
Whether you?re traveling for business or pleasure, you need to protect your identity just as you would your valuables. Thieves are just as likely to target your personal information as your expensive camera or laptop. Attorney General Rob McKenna offers tips for travelers in his newest Ask the AG column...

Two more high-tech crooks down

Posted on March 21, 2008
In case you missed the news, two high-profile Internet crooks appeared in federal court in Seattle in the past few days. Spam King? Robert Alan Soloway pleaded guilty. ...  Gregory Kopiloff was sentenced to four years in prison. ... The Seattle P-I ran an interesting article about the rise of Seattle as a hub for spam-related lawsuits ...

ValueClick to Pay $2.9 Million to Settle FTC Charges

Posted on March 21, 2008
We've warned you before about so-called freebies. Now online advertiser ValueClick, Inc., will pay a record $2.9 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its advertising claims and e-mails were deceptive and violated federal law. ...

Free homeownership counseling

Posted on March 14, 2008
Free homeownership counseling is now available to Washington residents, thanks to $1.5 million earmarked by this year's Legislature to help educate residents about mortgages, refinancing, foreclosures and avoiding scams ...

Storybook Lane to refund consumers nationwide for children?s décor

Posted on March 12, 2008
Storybook Lane, an online company that sells home décor for children?s bedrooms, must refund consumers nationwide under a settlement with the Washington State Attorney General?s Office ...

News media peek inside our Consumer Resource Center

Posted on March 11, 2008
As part of our mission to protect the people of Washington, the Attorney General's Office provides informal mediation between consumers and businesses at no cost to either party. ... Last Friday, in conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week, we invited reporters to tour our Consumer Resource Center in Seattle...

CP Week Tip of the Day: Hiring a reputable contractor

Posted on March 07, 2008
Whether you?re remodeling your home, building a new one or just need a replacement water heater, you?re likely going to need a contractor.  Whether it?s a long-term home improvement project or an in-and-out emergency repair, you should give some serious thought to who you hire ...

CP Week Tip of the Day: Get a fair deal on your next car

Posted on March 06, 2008
Consumers often think that there?s a timeframe in which they can return a car or other major purchase. But contrary to popular belief, there is no cooling-off period or refund right on an auto sale. When buying a car, you are most likely to get a fair deal ...

CP Week Tip of the Day: Five car sales scams to avoid

Posted on March 06, 2008
Buying a car can be exciting and somewhat intimidating, considering it?s the most significant purchase you?ll make other than a home. But it shouldn?t be a bad experience. ...

Six tips to make you a wiser consumer

Posted on March 05, 2008
Consumerman Herb Weisbaum reveals his six tips for being a smarter consumer in this top-notch MSNBC article. Read his sage advice and implant it firmly in your noggin and you?ll cut your risk of being conned ...

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