Read so that you will be informed and can protect yourself.
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Apr6
Category Archives: Buyer Beware
Oct25
Tips to beat newest scams
Think you’re too savvy to get taken? OK, maybe you don’t fall for those e-mails from Nigerian royalty asking you to wire money, but digital criminals are getting sneakier every year. One scam that can trip up even the most cautious consumers involves “skimmers” attached to ATMs. Those devices record account numbers and passwords so that thieves can clean out your bank account.
Protect yourself from
- ‘Smishing’
- Teeny, tiny charges
- Skimmers
- Membership programs (which is why I don’t post any type, even from legit companies)
- Stripped gift cards
- Counterfeit electronics
Oct22
Coupon Cashier “Mean Girls”
I’ve had some problems with some cashiers and coupons. I’ve been procrastinating dealing with it. However, TODAY is the day I am writing their employers.
Here is the current Mean Girls list:
- Michaels Craft Store
- Taco Bell
- Rite Aid
- Ulta
I’m also writing the manufacturer whose coupons were rejected. I believe they need to know what is happening in the field. I am sure they are expecting stores who carry their brand to accept their coupons and not hassle the consumers.
InshaAlllah I will report back.
And by the way, do you keep a Mean Girls list? If so, who’s on it and why?
Oct14
Signs of ATM tampering
We work hard cutting and using coupons to save money, right? We should also work hard at protecting our money too.
Read this MarketWatch article Watch Out for ATM Skimming.
After reading it, you will need to actually put it into place in your life if you shop with any kind of plastic.
Aug21
Egg recall . . . a growing problem
Nation’s largest egg producer adds 9.6 million eggs to recall
- In what may be part of the rolling recall in the wake of the half billion egg recall by Hillandale Farms and Wright County Egg company, the nation’s largest egg seller, Cal-Maine Foods Inc., has recalled 9.6 million eggs (800,000 dozen) due to potential Salmonella enteritidis contamination.
Wright County Egg Owner Has Long History of Violations
- . . . numerous commentators have been pointing out the long history of violations amassed by Wright County Egg owner Jack DeCoster.
FDA: Urgent Nationwide Egg Recall – Eggs in Their Shells May Put Consumers at Risk for Salmonella
- This recall affects shell eggs produced by Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa. The eggs are packaged under different brand names and distributed nationwide.
- Where is it Distributed?
- The recall affects eggs shipped since May 16, 2010 were sent to food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Iowa.
- Shell eggs under the August 13, 2010 recall are packaged under the brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. Shell eggs are packed in 6-egg cartons, 12-egg cartons, 18-egg cartons, and loose eggs with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946.
- Recalled shell eggs affected by the expanded recall are packaged under the brand names: Albertsons, Farm Fresh, James Farms, Glenview, Mountain Dairy, Ralphs, Boomsma, Lund, Kemps and Pacific Coast. Eggs are packed in varying sizes of cartons (6-egg, 12-egg, and18-egg cartons, and loose eggs for institutional use and repackaging) with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 229 and plant numbers 1720 and 1942.
Another Iowa Egg Recall due to Salmonella
- Hillandale Farms of Iowa is voluntarily recalling shell eggs because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
April North Carolina Salmonella Illnesses Tied to Wright County Egg
- Nearly 80 reported cases of Salmonella in Durham, North Carolina this past April are ultimately related to the nationwide outbreak due to contaminated eggs sold by Wright County Egg, of Iowa.
Egg Outbreak Update: growing numbers and consumer information
- Wright County Egg company’s August 18 recall includes eggs with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 229 and plant numbers 1720 and 1942. The August 13 recall includes eggs with Julian dates ranging from 136 to 225 and plant numbers 1026, 1413, and 1946. Read FDA’s most recent update on the recall. The plant number and Julian dates will be positioned on cartons as pictured here:
from Food Poison Journal by Drew Falkenstein
Jul23
Fake coupons alert
Here is the most recent list of fake coupons.
- Axe Dry Deodorant (Reward)- July 21, 2010
- Silk Soymilk FRAUDULENT COUPON ALERT- July 12, 2010
- Axe Just Soft Conditioner (Reward) – July 12, 2010
- Dove Men + Care (Reward) – July 12, 2010
- Lloyds BBQ (Reward) – July 7, 2010
- Simply Orange Orange Juice & Vitamin Water – July 7, 2010
- Schick High Performance Razors – (Reward) July 7, 2010
- Hormel Chili – (Reward) July 7, 2010
Jul10
Smart Phone Jean Card
American Eagle is giving away a free smart phone with a 2-year contract and an American Eagle gift card for $25. All you have to do is try on a pair of jeans.
Uh . . . raise your hand if you think this is gross. Hundreds of people putting their bottoms in a pair of pants just to get a gift card. Does an employee watch you put them on to verify that you tried them on? This is one of the reasons why I don’t wear pants (unless I make them).
What started out in 1873 as work pants for male miners — yes, that’s right, jeans are men’s clothing! — turned fashion nearly 80 years later as teens wore them as a sign of rebellion. Now, jeans are the national uniform! Read more HERE (opens as pdf) a Reading a-z freebie.
Jun19
Fradulent coupon site
Yesterday, the Counterfeit Information Corporation issued a coupon fraud alert for the website www.familysavings.com. The site is issuing unauthorized printable coupons. Retailers will not accept coupons printed from this site. If you come across a coupon with “Family Savings Program” printed in the lower right corner, rip them up.
Follow the link below for more information.
Jun7
FTC Kelloggs/Juicy Juice smackdown
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has stepped up its job in protecting consumers. It has formally told Kelloggs to stop the false claims in commercials and packaging which assert its foods have added health benefits.
Kelloggs can no longer advertise that “Rice Krispies boosts kids immunities” because it just is not true!
The first Kellogg’s whopper was saying that Frosted Mini-Wheats are “clinically shown” to boost attentiveness in kids by 20 percent. What Kellogg’s did not disclose, is that the group of kids in their study who ate the Mini-Wheats were compared to a group of kids who got only water for breakfast.
How did Kellogg’s respond to the latest FTC “request”? They will drop the immunity statements about Rice Krispies.
Juicy Juice was also shut down by the FTC. It’s claim that Juicy Juice boots immunity and brain development was deemed “unsubstantiated”.
And now, the Federal Drug Admin may soon take up the issue of fake health claims by food companies.
This is welcomed news. But parents, just stick to giving your family whole (unprocessed) foods to avoid falling for the hype.
FTC to Kellogg: Stop fake health claims
May28
Recall: Fresh Express variety of different lettuce
Fresh Express (a Chiquita Brands subsidiary) has issued a recall for its romaine lettuce.
Problem: Salmonella contamination
Product Code: any code containing “S” (see entire list HERE).
Expiration Date: Use-by Dates of May 13th through May 16th
States Affected: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Customer Hotline: (800) 242-5472, 24 hours per day, Monday – Friday, to obtain a full refund.
Source: Food Poison Journal »
Apr7
Food Recall: queso fresco contaminated with listeria
Queso fresco is a soft Mexican cheese. This recall mainly affects Washington state.
The FDA’s cheese recall announcement states as follows:
Del Bueno of Grandview, WA is recalling all size packages of Queso Fresco Fresh Cheese because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.Queso Fresco Fresh Cheese was distributed to retail markets in Washington and one in Hermiston, Oregon.
The cheese is packaged in round clear plastic packages, and is marked on the back with a code date; all codes up to and including May 30th, 2010 are being recalled.
[food recall, queso fresco recall]
Apr2
Needed: get out of jail free coupon
I bet this lady wishes she had printed herself a "get out of jail free" coupon! She makes it hard on those of use who follow the coupon rules. No wonder stores looks suspicious when we bring in coupons.
Woman Accused Of Fake Coupon Scheme
Passed along to you from Frugal Living NW »
Mar20
10 Places NOT to Use Your Debit Card
This was on the front page of Yahoo today but did you read it? You really should.
A debit card is linked directly to your bank account. They say use a credit card in case there is a dispute. Credit cards are haraam for Muslims. I know the folks trying to protect you mean well, but CCs just aren’t the solution. There are solutions other than CCs.
