Recalls
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Action Line Consumer Alert: Newlywed couple warn others about Nigerian scam
Aaron and Shaina Waller tied the knot the two weeks ago. Recently, they started looking for a place to live together. Shaina saw an ad on Craigslist advertising a place on Walina street in Waikiki, and thought it was perfect. "We needed a place that would take animals which is why we took such interest in this place," says Aaron
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Action Line Consumer Alert: Valentine's Day e-card scam
Thieves are using ways to ruin your Valentine's day by stealing your personal information. The Hawaii Better Business bureau says they're using e-cards targeting consumers through email. "If consumers click the link or go to the website and open an attachment often times they're going to either one download a virus to their computer that's going to phish for their
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Action Line: Fraudulent medicare phone calls targeting seniors
In recent months, the Hawaii Better Business Bureau has received numerous complaints about representatives pretending to be calling from medicaid and medicare providers. "They're asking questions like do you have back pains some general pains do you have arthritis? so general things that the seniors may have. If they say yes, they say well you qualify for these kind of
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Action Line: Cell phone texting scams
If you have ever received a text message saying you've won a gift card or gift certificate, experts say most likely its a phishing scam. "You will not get your gift card you'll not get the merchandise and what will happen any information that you enter on that website will either be stolen or the website itself has a malicious
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Action Line Consumer Alert: NFL merchandise scam
NFL teams cash in on merchandise. But beware of what you buy online, because you may be paying for empty promises. Scammers are hoping to score big by luring consumers to buy NFL team jerseys online. “They're googling Tim Tebow Tom Brady or whoever they're favorite athlete or star is this site will pop up due to the way that
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Action Line Consumer Alert: Fake deals on Facebook
If you use Facebook, be careful what you click on when visiting the site. “It's basically infected accounts that are soliciting other accounts friends of friends with ads that say you can get a free Costco coupon or gift card or free Starbucks coupon or gift card,” said Timothy Caminos of Hawaii Better Business Bureau. Experts say once the person
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Action Line Consumer Alert: Lottery scam affects many consumers
The Hawaii Better Business Bureau investigates hundreds of scams every year. But there's one scheme that affects almost everyone. From the latest gimmicks, to schemes as old as time...the Hawaii Better Business Bureau has seen them all, but there's one that sticks out. “Phishing being the most prominent and that's where a lot of computers are infected or you
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Action Line Consumer Alert: Free cruise will cost you
If you're planning on taking a cruise during the New Year, we have some tips on avoiding scams and protecting your investment before it's too late. A "free cruise" scam is among telemarketing ploys making the rounds. If you receive a phone call saying you have won a free cruise...experts say hang up! It's a scam. “What this third party
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Action Line Consumer Alert: National Council BBB scam
A fake email claiming to be from the National Council Better Business Bureau is making the rounds and prompting hundreds of calls to the Hawaii Better Business Bureau. Experts say it's a fake email that's being sent to consumers who shopped online during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. "There were websites that had malicious code on them and so people
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Action Line Consumer Alert: Exploit black hole scam
Scam artists are known to take advantage of people's weaknesses in order to get what they want. Anyone with a computer can become a target. It's called the "exploit black hole scam" and it's prompted three to five calls a week to the Hawaii Better Business Bureau. "Someone calls your home and they say that your computer has been infected
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Modules used in home security system panels recalled
WASHINGTON, D.C. – 2GIG Technologies is recalling about 40,000 GSM radio modules used in GO!Control panels for home security systems because they can overheat and combust, resulting in a fire or burn hazard to consumers. The company is aware of 22 reports of the product overheating, including three reports of minor smoke, heat or fire damage to the wall where
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Pro Armor recalls latches
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pro Armor is recalling about 5,200 latches for utility vehicle doors because the latch pin can disengage from the latch allowing the door to open while the vehicle is moving. This can pose a risk of ejection of an unrestrained rider and impact or laceration hazards. Pro Armor has received nine reports of the latch pin disengaging.
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Women's bicycles recalled
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fuji is recalling about 10,500 of its Saratoga women’s bicycles because the bicycle's frame can break in the center of the downtube during use, causing the rider to lose control and fall. The company is aware of 12 reports of bicycle frames breaking, including two injuries, a head laceration requiring 20 stitches and scrapes and bruises. The
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American Honda recalls ATVs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – American Honda is recalling about 2,900 ATVs because a weld on the ATV's front right upper suspension arm can separate, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, posing a crash hazard. Honda is aware of four incidents of suspension arm weld failures, including one in which a rider suffered a sprained wrist. The recalled vehicles
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Tumblekins Toys recalled
WASHINGTON, D.C. - International Playthings is recalling about 31,000 of its Tumblekins Toys because the toys can break into sharp points, posing choking and laceration hazards to children. The firm has received one report of a toy breaking into small pieces. No injuries have been reported. This recall involves all Tumblekins toy vehicles and playsets, including the farm playset, fire
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Teapots recalled due to burn hazard
Ganz U.S.A. is recalling about 2,100 of its Dancing Teapots because the handle can get extremely hot when there is hot water in the pot, posing a burn hazard to consumers. So far, no injuries from the teapots have been reported. This recall involves Ganz ceramic teapots that are tilted to appear as if they are dancing. Only 32-ounce teapots
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STIHL recalls chain saws
WASHINGTON, D.C. – STIHL is recalling about 3,000 MS 391 chain saws because the flywheel on the chain saw can crack causing parts of the flywheel to separate and strike users or bystanders, posing a risk of injury. This recall involves STIHL MS 391 gas-powered chain saws with an orange top casing, gray base and black front handle and hand
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Adjustable ottoman beds recalled
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Improvements Catalog is recalling about 800 adjustable ottoman beds because the ottoman can collapse when it is converted into a bed and weight is put on it. Improvements Catalog is aware of five reports of the bed collapsing, including two reports of minor injuries. The product is an ottoman on casters with a folding metal frame and a
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Kraft Foods recalls Tassimo T Discs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kraft Foods is recalling about 2.1 million packages of Tassimo espresso T Discs because the recalled espresso T Discs can become clogged and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds onto consumers and bystanders during or after brewing, posing a burn hazard. An additional 1.9 million are also being recalled in Canada. Information from Health Canada about the
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Tassimo single-cup coffee makers recalled
WASHINGTON, D.C. – BSH Home Appliances is recalling about 835,000 Tassimo single-cup brewers because the plastic disc, or T Disc, that holds the coffee or tea can burst and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds or tea leaves onto consumers using the brewer and onto bystanders, posing a burn hazard. An additional 900,000 brewers are also being recalled in Canada.