201308.08
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Baby Learning Apps are Misleading

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has approached the Federal Trade Commission to go after the mobile app industry’s false advertising of learning apps for babies.  In particular, they are going after industry claims that dupe parents into thinking the apps are “educational” or “teach” rather than just entertaining.  The Campaign is focusing on Fisher-Price’s…

201307.23
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Car Shopping Apps to Try

There are 4 new apps on the market to help with car buying:  Cars.com, Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book, and TrueCar.com.   We still think Consumer Reports magazine (online, too) is THE information source for deciding on the type of vehicle to buy AND, using their pricing service, provides the best info to get the best prices. …

201307.23
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Honda Fit Recall Expands

Honda Motors will expand a recall of its Honda Fit hatchback to include another 48,000 vehicles due to an issue with the stability control software. The original recall took place in April after it was discovered the car’s software may allow its body to “roll too much before intervening, possibly causing the driver to lose…

201307.19
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Robo-Dialed by Car Dealer or Others? Automated Calls Bothering You? Consumers are Protected.

Getting annoying calls, texts from car dealers or others?  The Hanson Law Firm can help. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) restricts marketing calls and text messages to cellphones and residential landlines by generally prohibiting communication using automated systems, artificial callers, or prerecorded voices unless the consumer gives “prior express consent.” The TCPA also specifies…

201307.16
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Consumer Victory: Richard Cordray Finally Confirmed As Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director!

Huge win for consumers today.  After being blocked for two years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), has the Captain aboard ship!   The CFPB, by the way, was established by the 2010 law that overhauled federal financial regulatory powers following the Great Recession and was meant to be a flagship protection against further consumer abuse. …

201307.15
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San Diego Used Car Lemon Nightmare Caught on YouTube

This morning, a huge billboard adjacent to one of the largest Toyota dealerships in the country, located on a busy street in San Diego, went up with this image: http://www.usedcarnightmare.org/ Views of the YouTube video, embedded in this website, have taken off, and it’s now received over 525,000 views, and the numbers are rapidly rising….

201307.10
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Auto dealers to California legislators: Don’t stop us from selling unsafe, recalled used cars

Just when you thought car buying couldn’t get any more fraught with peril — Auto dealers succeeded in stalling popular, common-sense auto safety legislation pending in California that would have prohibited them from renting, selling, leasing, or loaning unsafe, recalled used cars at retail to consumers. They complained that it is impossible for them to…

201307.09
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MINI Cooper Lemons

MINI Cooper. Owners/lessees and certain prior owners/lessees of the 2007-2009 MINI Cooper R56 (“Cooper Hardtop”) and 2008-2009 MINI Cooper R55 (“Cooper Clubman”).  A defect with the timing chain tensioner can cause sudden engine failure at even high speeds. The Timing Chain Tensioner is a component that maintains proper tension of the guide rails against the…