All Consuminghttp://www.atg.wa.gov/allconsuming.aspx“Grand Theft Auto IV” sold 6 million copies in its first week. Parents whose kids are begging them to buy what has quickly become the most popular video game or other games, for that matter, are reminded to read ratings to ensure that content is suitable for their children ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19764http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19764Fri, 09 May 2008 18:47:59 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorHere’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.http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19744http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19744Fri, 09 May 2008 00:46:07 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>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.</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19742http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19742Fri, 09 May 2008 00:06:48 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>Facebook has agreed to take significant steps to better protect children on its Web site. Attorneys general nationwide signed an <a title="agreement" href="http://atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/News/Press_Releases/2008/Facebook%20Joint%20Statement.pdf">agreement</a> with Facebook, in which they emphasize their shared goal of protecting children from inappropriate content and unwanted contact by adults.</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19738http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19738Thu, 08 May 2008 19:38:30 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>A warning to anyone who uses the Internet for phone service: make sure that your service provider knows your current address.</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19734http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19734Thu, 08 May 2008 01:22:31 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorAlways eager to latch on to the latest issue, cons are trying to pass themselves off as the IRS and sending phishing messages like <a title="IRS phishing email" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/Safeguarding_Consumers/All_Consuming_Blawg_Content/IRS%20Phishing%20email.pdf">this one</a> titled “Economic Stimulus Refund Program” that came to our <a title="Ask the AG" href="http://atg.wa.gov/askcolumn.aspx?latest=1&amp;id=19398" target="_blank">Ask the AG</a> e-mail address.http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19732http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19732Thu, 08 May 2008 00:36:40 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorSeattle 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.http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19724http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19724Wed, 07 May 2008 17:34:06 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>A Bellevue resident discovered that someone fraudulently filed her tax return and received a $34,000 refund, according to this <a title="frightening article" href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/359939_tax22.html" target="_blank">frightening article</a> in the Seattle P-I.</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19712http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19712Wed, 07 May 2008 01:48:39 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>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.</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19710http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19710Wed, 07 May 2008 01:22:59 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>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. Staff from the Attorney General’s <a title="Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/MHDR.aspx" target="_blank">Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program</a> will conduct a presentation and answer questions during three forums this month in Eastern Washington.</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19708http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19708Wed, 07 May 2008 01:04:16 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>It’s been a busy week for the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection High-Tech Fraud Unit, which announced three wins this week alone.</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19700http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19700Fri, 02 May 2008 23:27:50 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<strong>Totally Free Flatscreen TV/LCD Monitor!<br /> ABSOLUTELY FREE GIFT CARDS!<br /> Caribbean Vacation - All Expenses Paid!!!</strong><br /><br /> 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. Or spam a few friends … oops, we mean make a few “referrals.”<br /><br /> But did you ever think about what happens with all the information you send over the Internet? Chances are it’s being dumped into a marketing database to be sold over and over again.http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19690http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19690Fri, 02 May 2008 20:35:23 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorHigh-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.http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19654http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19654Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:43:09 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>Attorney General Rob McKenna, a representative from AARP and others will be in Redmond this Friday for the second leg of our popular <a title="GUARD-IT! Washington identity theft tour" href="http://www.guarditwashington.com/">GUARD-IT! Washington identity theft tour</a>. 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.</p><p><a href="http://www.guarditwashington.com/"><img title="Small Guard It Logo" alt="Small Guard It Logo" src="/uploadedImages/Home/Safeguarding_Consumers/Consumer_Issues_A-Z/Identity_Theft_(Privacy)/Guard_It_Washington/guard_it_web_logo_blue.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19648http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19648Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:53:13 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>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...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19636http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19636Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:12:45 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorA 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 <a title="settlement" href="http://atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/News/Press_Releases/2008/InternetAdvsettlement4808.pdf">settlement</a> announced Tuesday by Attorney General Rob McKenna. Internet Advancement, of Redmond, which also does business as 4GreatBuys.com, was accused of misrepresenting its ability to provide top search-engine rankings and increase Web traffic, even after being sued by our office years ago for essentially the same allegations.http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19600http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19600Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:07:57 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>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 <a title="GUARD-IT! Washington identity theft tour." href="http://www.guarditwashington.com/">GUARD-IT! Washington identity theft tour.</a></p><p><img title="Small Guard It Logo" alt="Small Guard It Logo" src="/uploadedImages/Home/Safeguarding_Consumers/Consumer_Issues_A-Z/Identity_Theft_(Privacy)/Guard_It_Washington/guard_it_web_logo_blue.jpg" border="0" /></p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19598http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19598Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:58:47 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>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 <a title="AGO-FTC-AARP Business Guide" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/Safeguarding_Consumers/Consumer_Issues_A-Z/Identity_Theft_(Privacy)/ID%20Theft%20co_brand_business_booklet.pdf">guide for protecting personal information</a>.</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19480http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19480Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:57:22 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<a title="Puget Sound Energy" href="http://www.pse.com/" target="_blank">Puget Sound Energy</a> and <a title="Northwest Natural Gas" href="http://nwnatural.com/" target="_blank">Northwest Natural Gas</a> customers have an opportunity to tell state regulators what they think about proposed utility rate increases ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19476http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19476Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:04:39 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>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. ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19436http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19436Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:37:31 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>If your computer is running Microsoft Windows and you haven’t downloaded on the <a title="latest patches and updates" href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/default.mspx?wt_svl=10282XPHa1&amp;mg_id=10282XPHb1" target="_blank">latest patches and updates</a>, you may be vulnerable to a type of scam that uses Windows Messenger Service pop-ups. We filed a <a title="Messenger Solutions" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/News/Press_Releases/2008/MessengerSolutionsComplaint032508.pdf">lawsuit</a> 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. The suit alleges that computers capable of receiving Windows Messenger Service pop-ups, also known as Net Send messages, were vulnerable to the attacks ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19420http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19420Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:32:16 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorWhether 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 <a title="Ask the AG column." href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/askcolumn.aspx?&amp;id=19398" target="_blank">Ask the AG column.</a> ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19402http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19402Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:34:40 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>In case you missed the news, two high-profile Internet crooks appeared in federal court in Seattle in the past few days. Spam King” <a title="Robert Alan Soloway pleaded guilty" href="http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/waw/press/2008/mar/soloway.html" target="_blank">Robert Alan Soloway pleaded guilty</a>. ...  <a title="Gregory Kopiloff, was sentenced" href="http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/waw/press/2008/mar/kopiloff.html" target="_blank">Gregory Kopiloff was sentenced</a> to four years in prison. ... The Seattle P-I ran an <a title="interesting article" href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/355219_software17.html" target="_blank">interesting article</a> about the rise of Seattle as a hub for spam-related lawsuits ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19396http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19396Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:47:41 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>We've warned you before about <a title="so-called freebies" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=16112" target="_self">so-called freebies</a>. Now online advertiser ValueClick, Inc., will pay a record $2.9 million to settle Federal Trade Commission <a title="charges" href="http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/03/vc.shtm" target="_blank">charges</a> that its advertising claims and e-mails were deceptive and violated federal law. ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19394http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19394Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:56:36 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorFree 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 ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19340http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19340Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:10:48 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorStorybook Lane, an online company that sells home décor for children’s bedrooms, must refund consumers nationwide under a <a title="settlement" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/News/Press_Releases/2008/Storybook_Lane_Consent_Decree_Exhibit.pdf" target="_blank">settlement</a> with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19314http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19314Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:31:33 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorAs part of our mission to protect the people of Washington, the Attorney General's Office provides <a title="informal mediation" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/FileAComplaint.aspx" target="_blank">informal mediation</a> between consumers and businesses at no cost to either party. ... Last Friday, in conjunction with <a title="National Consumer Protection Week" href="http://www.consumer.gov/ncpw/" target="_blank">National Consumer Protection Week</a>, we invited reporters to tour our Consumer Resource Center in Seattle. Take a sneak peak inside ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19284http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19284Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:01:11 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>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 ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19264http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19264Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:36:08 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorConsumers 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 <a title="buying a car" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/ConsumerIssues/Cars.aspx" target="_blank">buying a car</a>, you are most likely to get a fair deal ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19262http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19262Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:23:55 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>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. ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19260http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19260Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:56:44 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorConsumerman Herb Weisbaum reveals his six tips for being a smarter consumer in this top-notch <a title="MSNBC article" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23474674/" target="_blank">MSNBC article</a>. Read his sage advice and implant it firmly in your noggin and you’ll cut your risk of being conned ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19256http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19256Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:20:31 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorSome 25 million toys were recalled last year due to high lead content and other safety problems. Now, the Consumer Product Safety Commission hopes to intercept many of those toys and other potentially hazardous goods before they reach store shelves ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19254http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19254Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:39:00 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>Washington residents like to shop, but our records show they don’t always have a positive experience.  ... Complaint analysts in our <a title="Consumer Resource Centers" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/FileAComplaint.aspx">Consumer Resource Centers</a> say they frequently hear disputes over refund policies and shipping costs. ... But consumers could avoid many unpleasant surprises if they take the initiative ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19252http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19252Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:09:07 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>Collections agencies climbed to the No. 2 spot last year on the Attorney General’s <a title="list of consumer complaint categories" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/FileAComplaint/TopComplaints.aspx" target="_blank">list of consumer complaint categories</a>. ... If the trend continues, collections will take over the top spot in 2008. Collection agencies fall into two general categories – legit and deceptive. ... If you truly owe the debt, you have <a title="legal rights" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/ConsumerIssues/Credit/CollectionAgencies.aspx" target="_blank">legal rights</a>. ... Time-barred debts are those so old they are beyond the point at which a creditor or collection agency may sue ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19230http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19230Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:51:30 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorInsurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is urging consumers to check their homeowners insurance. “In the wake of last year’s storms and flooding, many consumers found out the hard way that they did not have adequate insurance coverage,” Kreidler said in a <a title="news release" href="http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/dynamic/newsreleasedetail.asp?rcdNum=592" target="_blank">news release</a>. ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19224http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19224Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:21:59 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>The Washington Insurance Commissioner’s Office announced today that it <a title="fined a bunch of insurance companies" href="http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/dynamic/newsreleasedetail.asp?rcdNum=591" target="_blank">fined a bunch of insurance companies</a> for a range of violations including overcharging Washington consumers and illegally selling annuitities. ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19218http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19218Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:26:07 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorThe state Department of Financial Institutions recently identified <a title="10 investment scams" href="http://www.dfi.wa.gov/consumers/topscams.htm" target="_blank">10 investment scams</a> as the most likely to trap Washington investors ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19216http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19216Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:01:21 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division released its annual <a title="Attorney General receiving more consumer complaints about collection agencies" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&amp;ItemID=19204">Top 20 list</a> of consumer complaint categories today in conjunction with <a title="National Consumer Protection Week" href="http://www.consumer.gov/ncpw/index.html" target="_blank">National Consumer Protection Week</a>. Each day this week, we’ll post a tip related to industries that receive the most complaints. Complaints about communications companies, which primarily include phone companies, held onto 1st place for at least the eighth consecutive year. So today we offer tips on selecting a <a title="Cellular Phones" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&amp;ItemID=2314">wireless phone plan</a>:</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19214http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19214Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:14:40 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>It's tax season again. According to a Better Business Bureau (BBB) analysis, nearly one-third of complaints against tax preparation companies allege that the preparer made an error or mistake in the tax return, often requiring the consumer to pay fines or added fees to rectify the problem.<br /> ... The Attorney General’s Office offers this advice to help hire a reputable tax preparer or find free tax help. ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19186http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19186Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:26:58 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorWatch out for a new scam targeting Washington car owners. Cons posing as Department of Licensing representatives are contacting folks and telling them their vehicle tabs are expired.  They then ask for credit card information ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19164http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19164Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:09:42 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>The manufacturer of Silkies hosiery will pay $455,000 to settle a case with Washington and 14 other states regarding the company’s marketing and sales practices. ... Under an <a title="Silkies AOD" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/News/Press_Releases/2008/Silkies%20AOD.pdf">agreement</a> filed late Thursday in Thurston County Superior Court, HCI Direct agreed to pay $455,000 to the states, change its marketing practices and <a title=" refund consumers" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?id=19160" target="_blank">refund consumers</a> who claim they did not order merchandise shipped by the company. ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19162http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19162Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:03:50 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorA company that allegedly deceived Washington businesses into purchasing labor law and safety posters is prohibited from mailing future advertisements that appear to originate from government-affiliated agencies. Mandatory Poster Agency, Inc., of Lansing, Mich., sent notices under the names Washington Labor Law Poster Company, Washington Food Service Compliance Center and Washington Healthcare Compliance Center. Government-required posters are available <strong>for free</strong> from government agencies. ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19142http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19142Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:55:20 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorAttorney General Rob McKenna invites the Latino community to attend a free town hall meeting on Friday, Feb. 22, in Pasco to learn more about the office’s work on identity theft, car sales, notarios and other consumer protection issues. The meeting will be conducted in Spanish and English, with real-time interpreting. Additional presenters from Mexican Consul office in Seattle and the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19134http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19134Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:47:50 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorA Valentine’s Day e-card that infects your computer, cons who pose as online suitors and a futuristic software program that tricks you into revealing personal information are just a few of the hazards lurking online. The Washington Attorney General’s Office urges Internet users to be skeptical and take precautions to avoid Cupid’s arrow from hitting their wallets or poisoning their PCs. ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19124http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19124Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:35:39 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>The Federal Trade Commission released its <a title="annual fraud and identity theft report" href="http://ftc.gov/opa/2008/02/fraud.pdf" target="_blank">annual fraud and identity theft report</a> today. Washington slipped down the ranks to 13th in the nation for identity theft complaints per capita last year ... but we bumped up to 2nd in the country for overall fraud complaints ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19116http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19116Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:58:47 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>Countrywide Financial Corp. and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, better known as ACORN, <a title="announced a plan" href="http://acorn.org/index.php?id=4174&amp;tx_ttnews[tt_news]=21744&amp;tx_ttnews[backPid]=2716&amp;cHash=7ed47c3b2e" target="_blank">announced a plan</a> Monday to help distressed borrowers avoid foreclosure. Meanwhile, White House officials announced "Project Lifeline" and Attorney General Rob McKenna’s requested legislation to reduce <a title="foreclosure rescue scams" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=18644" target="_blank">foreclosure rescue scams</a> survived today's committee cutoff  ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19094http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19094Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:26:28 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>CM Travel, based in Bellevue, must refund individuals who answered an employment ad for travel agents but instead were offered opportunities as independent contractors. The Attorney General’s Office announced a <a title="CM Travel settlement" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/News/Press_Releases/2008/CM%20Travel%20consent%20decree.pdf">settlement</a> today with company and its owners, resolving allegations that they violated ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19092http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19092Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:42:10 GMTAGO Blog ModeratorSeven out of 10 borrowers who were seriously delinquent on their home loans in October were not receiving help to prevent the possibility of foreclosure, according to a <a title="report" href="www.csbs.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Home/StateForeclosurePreventionWorkGroupDataReport.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> published Thursday the State Foreclosure Prevention Working Group. ...http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19020http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19020Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:56:21 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>Kudos to the staff at the Federal Trade Commission’s regional office in Seattle for turning the tables on an attempted phishing scam. ... Cons have now altered their messages to ask recipients to call a local “customer service” number instead ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19000http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=19000Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:46:31 GMTAGO Blog Moderator<p>The Washington Attorney General’s Office filed suit today against an Auburn business that sold precious metals online but allegedly failed to deliver the items by the promised date. The <a title="NWT Mint Complaint" href="http://www.atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/News/Press_Releases/2008/NWT%20Mint%20complaint020608.pdf">complaint</a> filed in King County Superior Court also alleges ...</p>http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=18990http://www.atg.wa.gov/BlogPost.aspx?id=18990Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:11:37 GMTAGO Blog Moderator