U.S. Government News

Free Tax Help:New IRS Online Tool Helps Low- and Moderate-Income Taxpayers Find Locations for Help

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:19:25 PST

As part of a continuing effort to improve service to taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service announced today the availability of a new online tool to help people easily find a location for volunteer tax preparation assistance.

Online Dating Scams: Sending Money in the Name of Love

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:41:09 PST

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, warns that scammers sometimes use online dating and social networking sites to try to convince people to send money in the name of love.

Debt Relief: Debt Negotiation Scam Victims Receive Refund Payments

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:25:08 PST

An administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission is mailing checks to 360 consumers who were victims of Innovative Systems Technology doing business as Briggs & Baker, an operation that claimed it could "drastically" reduce consumers’ debt by negotiating directly with creditors.

Sex Offenders in San Diego: Results of Operation Watchdog to Keep Tabs on Hundreds of Registered Sex Offenders

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:07:12 PST

Because of sex offenders' propensity to reoffend, keeping tabs on them is crucial to protecting the public," Brown said. "As in many things, the price of safety is constant vigilance, and my office is committed to providing that....

Cold Remedies Crackdown: Walgreens Will Pay Nearly $6 Million to Settle FTC Deceptive Advertising Charges

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:57:39 PST

In a continuing crackdown on companies making unproven claims about cold and flu remedies, the Federal Trade Commission has announced two more cases.

Texting While Driving: Wyoming Becomes the 20th State to Ban Texting While Driving

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:09:16 PST

"Texting while driving, like talking on cell phones while driving, is dangerous to the driver doing it and all of those around them.”

Credit Repair Scammers Settle FTC Charges

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:12:36 PST

A credit repair company that falsely claimed it would help boost consumers' credit ratings will settle Federal Trade Commission charges filed last year.

Bogus Health Products: FTC to Distribute $3 Million in Refunds to Consumers Who Bought Bogus Health Products

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:10:08 PST

The Federal Trade Commission will distribute more than 5,700 refund checks totaling approximately $3 million to consumers who bought infrared saunas and dietary supplements from Roex, Inc., based on bogus claims that the products would treat, prevent, or cure a wide range of serious diseases.

Springsteen Concertgoers: Ticketmaster and TicketsNow Settle FTC Charges

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:56:54 PST

According to the FTC’s complaint, when tickets went on sale February 2, 2009, for Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band concerts in May and June, Ticketmaster displayed a "No Tickets Found" message on its Web page to consumers to indicate that no tickets were available at that moment to fulfill their request.

Evenflo Recalls 66,000 Children's Activity Centers Cake Toys on Centers Due to Choking Hazard

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:49:55 PST

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the Evenflo ExerSaucer 1-2-3 Tea for Me Activity Learning Centers.

IRS 2009 Tax Law Changes Provide Saving Opportunities for Nearly Everyone

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:17:13 PST

In 2009, numerous new and expanded deductions and credits came into being for a broad cross-section of taxpayers: College tax benefits for parents and students; energy credits for homeowners who are going green; and even tax breaks for home buyers and car buyers.

National Recall:Tylenol Arthritis Pain 100 Count With Ez-Open Cap National Recall

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:34:57 PST

In November 2009, 5 lots of this product were recalled due to consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that was associated with nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. The recall is being expanded, as a precaution, to include all TYLENOL® Arthritis Pain Caplet 100 count bottles with the distinctive red EZ-OPEN CAP.

Charity Scams: Beware of California Wildfire Charity Scams, FTC Warns

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:11:02 PST

The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers to use caution when donating to charities that claim to help victims of the devastating California wildfires. While many legitimate groups help victims, scam artists may take advantage of the disaster by creating bogus fundraising operations.

Customer Alert – Misleading Business Solicitations

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:15:13 PST

The Secretary of State's office has been advised that solicitation letters are being sent to California businesses encouraging them to comply with their California Corporations Code filing obligations by submitting fees and documents to a third party rather than by filing directly with the Secretary of State's office.

Over 1 Million DVD Players Recalled by Wal-Mart Due to Fire Hazard

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:26:47 PST

Wal-Mart has received 12 reports of DVD players overheating, five of which have resulted in fires that caused property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Phony Job Placement Scam: Guaranteed' Jobs Never Materialized

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:21:01 PST

A U.S. district court has halted a phony job placement operation that allegedly stole money from job seekers by promising them full-time work, with benefits, that never materialized, the Federal Trade Commission announced today.

Beef Recall: Consumers Warned Not To Eat Ground Beef

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:12:10 PST

California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today warned Californians not to eat certain brands of ground beef because the products could be contaminated with Salmonella newport, a potentially harmful bacterium.

Scam Alert: Cash for Clunkers Bogus Offers

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:03:51 PST

Scam artists are trying to profit from the federal government’s new program that helps consumers buy or lease a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle.

IRS Alerts Public to New Identity Theft Scams

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:27:15 PST

The Internal Revenue Service reminds consumers to avoid identity theft scams that use the IRS name, logo or Web site in an attempt to convince taxpayers that the scam is a genuine communication from the IRS. Scammers may use other federal agency names, such as the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

FBI Alert: Online Rental Ads Could be Phony

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:21:27 PST

You can't believe your good fortune-you find a rental home in a nice area through a Craigslist classified ad at an unbelievably low rate.