It’s not surprising what last year’s top consumer complaint was. I’ve seen it many times as No. 1 on annual consumer complaint lists. It’s auto sales and repair. “Consumers rely on cars to get to work, school, doctors’ appointments and more,” said Erin Witte, director of consumer protection for the Consumer Federation of America. Read more →

Pesticides were found at detectable levels in dozens of fruit leather strips and dried fruit samples, according to new EWG testing. These two fruit treats are among the most popular kids' snacks. The tests were conducted by an independent laboratory on 37 samples of organic and conventional fruit leather from 10 well-known brands. Read more →

E-filliate is recalling about 301,800 wireless earphones that can overheat while charging or in use, posing burn and fire hazards. E-filliate has received 61 reports of the earphones overheating during charging or use, including five reports of fire and four reports of minor burn injuries. Read more →

Lithonia Lighting is recalling about 318,500 CFMK surface mount brackets used with CPANL LEDs in the United States and about 11,600 in Canada. The brackets can fail to securely surface mount the CPANL LED and fall unexpectedly, posing a risk of injury from impact. Read more →

Edwards Fire Safety is recalling about 85,000 Edwards mechanical heat detectors. The recalled heat detectors can fail to activate in reaction to rising temperatures, posing a risk of failure to alert consumers to a fire. No incidents or injuries have been reported. Read more →

STIHL is recalling about 16,400 RE 90 pressure washers. The pressure washer nozzle can disconnect from the spray wand when under pressure during use, posing an injury hazard. Read more →

When a natural disaster occurs, scammers are right there, adapting their fraudulent techniques to the latest emergency. If you suffered damage from Hurricane Dorian, or if you’re looking for ways to help those in need, you can get information at ftc.gov/weatheremergencies. Read more →

Angie’s List, an online rating service, has many shortcomings in addition to potential value to consumers, according to a Consumer Federation of America report. Angie’s List, founded in 1995, was originally supported mainly by annual consumer subscriptions and prioritized service to these subscribers. Today, while consumers can join for free,... Read more →

Interline Brands is recalling about 140,000 ProPlus brass flare swivel fittings. The fittings can leak, posing a fire hazard. Interline has received two reports of the swivels leaking when installation. This recall involves multiple sizes of ProPlus brass flare swivel fittings used as connectors for copper tubing. The brass, gold-colored... Read more →

Werner is recalling about 78,000 multi-purpose telescoping aluminum ladders. The ladders can break while being used by consumers, posing a fall hazard. The firm has received one report of a ladder breaking while in use, resulting in one injury to the left side and elbow of the consumer. This recall... Read more →