consumer ally

Consumers were convinced they were making a safe real-estate investment and that they would receive an annual return of 14% to 16%. What happened instead is that the salesman made millions, while consumers lost their savings. The Utah Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Department of Commerce...

A new consumer product safety information database is up and running where consumers can share information with others about product injuries or failures that could have resulted in injuries. Consumers can visit SaferProducts.gov to submit reports and search for safety information on products they...

Love the Animals, a charity that solicited funds on the Internet, including via social network Facebook, has been sued for misusing funds. A lawsuit against Love the Animals, operated by Anthony M. Marasia, alleges Marasia put all funds donated to the company into his personal bank account, failed...

The Product: The Safety Brite Umbrella The Price: Online $14.95, plus $7.95 shipping and handling The Claims: Drip free Buy-O-Meter Rating: 3 out of 5

It's a cruel scheme to play on the unemployed: A scammer pretending to be from a human resources department at a construction company emailed consumers offering jobs. The emails apparently looked official, even displaying a BBB Accredited Business seal, linked to the real business credit report of...

Quik Cash, one of the nation's largest payday lenders with 550 locations across the country, has agreed to pay up to $170,000 in restitution to consumers who were victims of consumer fraud. Under a settlement agreement, Quik Cash will pay restitution to consumers who had judgment for loans...

It looks legitimate: You get a letter from your bank saying that it's sold your mortgage to another company. So you begin making payments to the new address in the letter. But, it turns out, it's yet another mortgage fraud. Two Nevada men have been arrested operating businesses designed to steal...

Curves International health clubs charged membership fees, then suddenly shut their doors – some without providing refunds to consumers reeling from the unexpected closures. Consumers in 27 New York counties will now get their money back as part of a settlement Curves International has...

Five motels accused of jacking up the price of rooms as people sought refuge as Hurricane Dolly was bearing down agreed to settle charges they gouged consumers during a disaster. Five South Texas motel operators have signed settlement agreements on price-gouging charges, Texas Attorney General...

Freedom Debt Relief, the largest company of its type in the nation, has agreed to pay nearly $2 million in restitution to resolve allegations it misled consumers in two states. More than 570 Washington state consumers who signed up for Freedom Debt Relief's services will be eligible for about...