The following is a comment I received on a post I did on April 14, 2009 – HOW TO REPORT ONLINE FRAUD, SCAMS AND THEFT.   Please read the comment below and pass this information on to as many people as possible.   Thank you.

I wish to get advice from you. Their is a webhosting company in Bangalore India named manashosting.com.
This company had looted me and involved in crime. How could I report this company to every body.

I just scanned the web and found various issues reported earlier you can also check them here –

http://www.mouthshut.com/product-reviews/Manashosting.com-925102697.html
http://www.consumercourt.in/hosting/5355-manashosting.html
http://consumer.admanya.com/reviews_ManasHosting_Web_Hosting-1189-0.html
http://sachinkraj.wordpress.com/2008/01/03/manashosting-the-worst-decision/

Now could you please help me fight this Fraud company. Kindly publish the post and make your users aware that this company is fake.

The question why I am doing this because i had been cheated by this company and I don’t want any body else should be cheated.  Although I am taking serious action against the cheater company as they taken money and not renewed my domains.  I looses my business due to their cheating.

I had also reported to their registrar and also going to report ICANN and other international organizations regarding the subject.   Kindly Help me.

Victime of Manashosting Fraud.

~Sandy G.

***Edited to add note to person that left this comment:  I have tried to reach you, but the email was returned undeliverable.  Take care and please keep me posted on this situation.

Data finds links to fatal overdoses; agency orders new safety study

From ConsumerAffairs.com

Perhaps partly satisfying its critics, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is taking several actions to reduce the risk of overdose in patients using pain medications such as Darvon and Darvocet that contain propoxyphene. The agency said the actions were taken because of data linking propoxyphene and fatal overdoses.

The consumer group Public Citizen has been calling on the FDA to ban Darvon altogether, saying that the “old pain killer is a plain old killer.”

Instead, the agency is requiring manufacturers of propoxyphene-containing products to strengthen the label, including the boxed warning, emphasizing the potential for overdose when using these products. These manufacturers will also be required to provide a medication guide to patients stressing the importance of using the drugs as directed.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

From Kim Komando at Komando.com

Linda wrote in from Rogers, AR. She catches my show on KFAY 1030 AM. She is looking for some ways to make money at home. She’s heard quite a bit about the Google Home Business Kit. She would like more information, along with my opinion of it.

Google has a lot of cool services, Linda. But it doesn’t offer a work-from-home kit. The sites promoting these kits simply capitalize on Google’s name. That should be your first clue that something is wrong. The sites are full of unsubstantiated claims. They don’t say what’s in the kit. Nor do they tell you what type of work you would be doing. That is another hallmark of a scam.

I have a pretty good idea of what’s in the kit. It will help you set up a site to sell the kit to more people. You may pay $30 for the kit. Or, you may only pay a few dollars for shipping and handling. Either way, you’re enrolled in a monthly subscription. Good luck trying to cancel that!

I would stay away from this one. There are much better ways to make money from home.

Want to work from home? Start a blog or open an online store. Or, there are sites where you can sell your photos, crafts and music. Visit my Money Center to get started.

This isn’t the only online scam going, of course. I have some great tips that will protect you from other scams:

• Watch out for sweetheart scams
• Avoiding the latest threats and scams
• Give to a charity, not a scammer

For more great tips and information, please visit Komando.com

***Please note:  I am not affiliated with Kim Komando or Komando.com in any way, nor am I receiving any compensation for this post.

~Sandy G.

Knife blade found in energy drink

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to buy or use Hardcore Energize Bullet or New Whey liquid products sold in test tube-like vials.

The agency suspects product tampering and the products are being recalled.

The suspected tampering involved a utility knife blade found in one vial of Hardcore Energize Bullet drink, manufactured in the United States and sold in Canada. Another blade was discovered in one vial of New Whey liquid products, manufactured and sold in the United States. No one is known to have been hurt.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

No recalls despite numerous complaints about Power Sentry

By Lisa Wade McCormick, ConsumerAffairs.com

A product designed to protect electronic devices from dangerous spikes in electricity may have contributed to a handful of fires nationwide that damaged homes and office equipment. Consumers also blame the product’s failure for frying their computers and other expensive electronics.

ConsumerAffairs.com uncovered these potential hazards during a review of complaints from homeowners across the country.

The product at the heart of these complaints is the Power Sentry Surge Protector. Since 2003, ConsumerAffairs.com has heard repeated safety concerns about this brand of surge protectors.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Financial data is easy target for scammers

From ConsumerAffairs.com

Scammers often target job-seekers because they are usually very likely to provide requested information. But law enforcement officials are warning job applicants about a recent scam in which criminals posing as employers ask for copies of their personal credit reports.

“Credit reports contain a wealth of background information about consumers, including social security numbers, summaries of bank and credit card accounts, employment history, current and previous addresses and other details that are extremely valuable to con artists,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett. “Falling for Internet job schemes can be a double threat — leaving victims unemployed and struggling to untangle a web of financial problems caused by identity theft.”

“Corbett noted that con artists are using Internet postings and email messages to circulate ads for high paying part-time work as personal assistants, check processors and a variety of other work-at-home positions.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

By Matt Soniak, Mental_Floss.com

Have you ever wondered why that bottle of Poland Spring has a “drink by” date on it when common sense dictates that water doesn’t go bad? You can thank the great state of New Jersey.  A 1987 NJ state law required all food products sold there to display an expiration date of two years or less from the date of manufacture.

Labeling, separating and shipping batches of expiration-dated water to the Garden State seemed a little inefficient to bottled water producers, so most of them simply started giving every bottle a two-year expiration date, no matter where it was going.

Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has never established or suggested a limitation on the shelf life of bottled water as long as it’s produced in accordance with regulations and the bottle remains properly sealed. Makes sense, because it’s, you know…water. Even Dirty Jerz caught on to this fact and amended the law a few years ago. But the expiration date has been an industry norm for so long that many producers have just kept it on there.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

By Alonna Friedman, InStyle.com

Hair myths circulate like urban legends, but which horror stories are just hype? Before you toss your favorite shampoo or swear off color, separate fact from fiction.

1. True or False? Frequent Trims Make Your Hair Grow Faster

FALSE.   “Hair grows from the roots, not the tips,” says Michael Wright, senior research scientist at Nexxus Salon Hair Care. A trim removes split ends to prevent them from moving farther up the hair shaft, saving you from having to cut more to eliminate the damage. Keep your hair healthy in the first place with conditioning treatments and sun and heat protectors, says Saurabh Desai, principal scientist at Aveeno Nourish+.

2. True or False? Brushing Your Hair Often Makes It Healthier                                                                               

FALSE.   Brushing your hair 100 times before bed won’t make your hair look any better. In fact, it might make it look worse. “Over-brushing can dull hair by destroying the cuticle, as well as causing split ends and breakage,” says Desai. And using the wrong tool could further harm hair. In general, plastic and metal bristles can weaken the hair cuticle and cause damage or static and flyaways, so consider switching to a gentle brush with natural boar bristles. “Stick to just enough brushing to keep your hair from becoming tangled — the brush should be able to move through the hair with ease,” says N.Y.C. celebrity hairstylist Miok. For some, that might mean as little as a few strokes just once or twice a day.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

By Jada A. Graves, U.S. News & World Report

Knowing where to place your bets with a used car can be tricky. The horror stories are all too common — the pieced-together parts, the unexplained and unexpected sounds and smells, the bodies in the trunk …

Okay. Maybe the last one isn’t quite as common.

But buying used doesn’t have to be such a gamble if you do your research. There’s a wealth of online information available that can make it easier to avoid a lemon. With the federal government’s vehicle defect notices and J.D. Power and Associates’ reliability data the most common mechanical issues are all easy to trace. In addition, U.S. News’ used car listings make the search easier for the best used car options in your area.

But we’ve already done at that research to help you narrow down your choices. Check out our list of the best and worst used cars. Remember, while this list is a good start, all used cars are different. Before buying, make sure you give any used car — even one on our best list — a thorough inspection.

FOR COMPLETE STORY AND LIST OF BEST & WORST USED CARS, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

FDA acts to prevent repeated drug quality problems

From ConsumerAffairs.com

U.S. Marshals, acting at the request of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have seized drug products manufactured by Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories Ltd., at the company’s Michigan facilities in Detroit, Farmington Hills, and Wixom. The seizure also includes ingredients held at these same facilities.

“The FDA is committed to taking enforcement action against firms that do not manufacture drugs in accordance with our good manufacturing practice requirements,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Compliance with these standards prevents harm to the public.”

The move follows Caraco’s continued failure to meet the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, which assure the quality of manufactured drugs, the agency said.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Is this the most dangerous Wii accessory so far?

By Mike Smith, Yahoo! Games

Way back in 2006, there was a spate of media reports about new Wii owners damaging their TVs, prized furniture, elderly relatives and/or pets after losing their grip on a remote while playing Wii Sports Bowling. Nintendo, to its credit, took the problem in hand, first mailing out beefier remote wrist straps to all owners, then following that up with rubberized grips for even more security. But this bowling ball controller, from third-party firm CTA Digital, could take the cake.

Says the official web site: “This Wii peripheral is the first of its kind to be fashioned after an authentic bowling ball, turning your wii-mote into the optimum performance-enhancing accessory! To operate simply …plug the three holes with your fingers, as you would a bowling ball. Lastly, make sure to wear the wrist strap securely around your wrist, this will prevent the ball from accidently flying out of your hand…Even though holding and bowling the ball is so like-like[sic] to the actual sport, never, ever release the ball!!”

Uh, yeah. Nothing bad could ever come of this.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Hucksters prey on those trading in cars for vouchers

From ConsumerAffairs.com

It should come as no surprise that as soon as the Senate passed “cash for clunkers” — legislation granting vouchers to people who trade in their gas-guzzlers for more fuel-efficient cars — a host of scam operations would pop up trying to profit off the bill.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is warning consumers to not be deceived by official-seeming sites such as “Cash For Clunkers Headquarters,” which claim to offer information on how to trade in your car. Sites that ask for personal information or offer a pre-registration opportunity should not be trusted, the agency said.

“There’s only one official site for the government, and that’s NHTSA’s CARS.gov website,” said NHTSA press officer Eric Bolton. “Folks should go there and not rely on “cash for clunkers” sites on the internet as they are not official.”

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Legislation would empower FDA to police food system

By Martin H. Bosworth, ConsumerAffairs.com

The House Energy & Commerce Committee unanimously passed by voice vote the “Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009,” legislation that would, if passed, overhaul the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)’s power to police food suppliers and producers for signs of contaminated product.

“A series of foodborne disease outbreaks…has not only sickened and killed American consumers, but has laid bare unacceptable gaps in our food safety laws,” said committee chair Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA). “Today the Committee will act to close those gaps — and give the Food and Drug Administration new authorities, new tools, and a new source of funding to carry out this vital mission.”

Proposed powers for the FDA under the new law include:

• Creation of a registry of all food facilities and importers serving Americans, which would be updated on an annual basis. Affected parties would pay fees to be included in the registry, and would be tagged with unique identification numbers for easier tracking.

• Registered facilities would pay an annual fee of $500 to fund FDA oversight, including inspections, recalls, and certifications for export of food to the U.S.

• The FDA’s powers to “quarantine” potentially unsafe food or products from entering geographic areas would be enhanced.

• The FDA would issue regulations requiring every company in a food produce chain — including manufacturers, processors, and transporters — to maintain records for the origin and distribution of the food, and ensure the records are usable and transferable in multiple formats.

• Enhanced safety requirements for infant formula.

• New authority to subpoena records and protect whistleblowers in case of alleged violations of the law.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Company disputes FDA warning about nasal remedies

From ConsumerAffairs.com

Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., the pharmaceutical company that makes Zicam, has pulled two of its nasal remedies from the market, but isn’t happy about it. The company responded after the FDA warned that three Zicam products posed the risk of users losing their sense of smell.

“Consumer safety is and has always been the company’s top priority,” the company said in a statement. “While Matrixx Initiatives believes that the FDA action today was unwarranted, it is voluntarily withdrawing Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs and Zicam Cold Remedy Gel from the market. Based on the FDA’s recommendation, consumers should discard any unused product or contact Zicam at 1-877-942-2626 or visit www.zicam.com to request a refund.”

The FDA said it had logged more than 130 complaints from consumers detailing their loss of the sense of smell after using the nasal products. It urged consumers to stop using three Zicam products because they are associated with the loss of sense of smell, a condition known as anosmia. Anosmia may be long-lasting or permanent.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.

Refrigerated cookie dough may carry E. coli

From ConsumerAffairs.com

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with E. coli O157:H7, a dangerous bacterium that causes food borne illness.

The agencies said consumers should:
• Throw away any prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products you may have in your home.
• Do not cook the dough because you might get the bacteria on your hands and on other cooking surfaces.
• Contact your health care professional immediately if you or your family have recently eaten the dough and have had stomach cramps, vomiting or diarrhea, with or without bloody stools.
• If you have additional questions about the recalled products, contact Nestle consumer services at 800-559-5025 or visit the company’s Web site.

FOR COMPLETE STORY, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

~Sandy G.