What the Tech? How to Avoid Scams When You Sell on Craigslist
You hear about scams all the time but it's still fairly rare to see one show up in your email inbox or by text. Trying to sell something online through Craigslist or…
On Your Side
On Your Side Consumer Alert: Apple Warns of Security Flaws
Apple is urging iPhone and iPad users to update their devices to fix security flaws that might have been "actively exploited" by hackers. Apple made the software upgrades available Tuesday, adding a rare note suggesting it was a serious threat.…
Belk Says It Will File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
North Carolina-based department store chain Belk says it will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In our area, the company has stores in Montgomery, Prattville, Selma and Auburn. The Charlotte Observer reports that private equity firm Sycamore Partners made the announcement…
More than 762,000 Pepperoni "Hot Pockets" Recalled
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that Nestlé is recalling about 762,615 pounds of not-ready-to-eat pepperoni Hot Pockets that may be contaminated with pieces of glass and hard plastic. The products were made from Nov. 13, 2020 through Nov.…
Consumer Alert: Blades Can Fly Off Over 190,000 Ceiling Fans Sold at Home Depot
More than 190,000 ceiling fans sold at Home Depot are being recalled after reports that the blades fell off while spinning, hitting people and causing property damage. The Hampton Bay Mara indoor and outdoor ceiling fans were sold this year…
Hyundai, Kia Fined for Delaying Recalls Regarding Engine Failures
Hyundai and Kia will spend $137 million on fines and safety improvements because they moved too slowly to recall over 1 million U.S. vehicles with engines that can fail. The National Highway Traffic…
Consumer Alert: GM to Recall Seven Million Vehicles to Replace Airbags
General Motors will recall about 7 million big pickup trucks and SUVs worldwide to replace potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators. The move came Monday after the U.S. government told the automaker it had to recall 6 million of the…
PNC Buying BBVA's U.S. Subsidiary for $11.6 Billion
PNC Financial Services Group says it is buying the U.S. subsidiary of Spain’s BBVA bank for $11.6 billion in cash. BBVA’s U.S. operations are based in Houston, Texas. It has $104 billion in assets and operates 637 branches, mainly in…
Ford Recalls More Than 700,000 Vehicles Due to Backup Camera
Ford Motor Company is issuing a recall of more than 700,000 vehicles in North America because of an issue with the backup camera. The recall affects several 2020 model year vehicles. The issue is the camera may intermittently display a…
Prattville Police Warn Residents of Phone Scams Targeting Elderly People
The Prattville Police Department is warning citizens about financial scams targeting the elderly. The scam is spreading across the state and Southeast Region of the U.S. Police say elderly people receive phone calls saying that a family member is in…
Delta, American Airlines Join United in Dropping $200 Change Flight Ticket Fee
Delta and American are following the example set by United Airlines and saying they will drop an unpopular $200 fee on customers who change a ticket for travel within the United States. The moves come as airlines try desperately to…
Alabama's Unemployment Rate Rising Slightly
Alabama's unemployment rate rose slightly in July as the state continues to feel the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Alabama Department of Labor reported Friday that the state's preliminary July unemployment rate is 7.9%, up from June's rate…
On Your Side: A Warning about Getting Seeds in the Mail
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries has a warning if you get unsolicited seeds in the mail from China. State Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate says people from Alabama and several other states…
What the Tech? FBI Warns of Fake Banking Apps
During the pandemic millions of people who have primarily have stayed at home in isolation have been doing their banking using a mobile app for the first time. CNBC reported earlier…
Blue Bell to Pay $19 Million as Part of Guilty Plea in Listeria Case
Blue Bell Creameries has pleaded guilty to distributing contaminated goods and its former CEO has been charged with conspiracy and attempted wire fraud in connection to a 2015 listeria outbreak that left three people dead, federal prosecutors have announced. Blue…
Consumer Alert: Ford Recalls More than 268,000 Vehicles
Ford Motor Company has announced that it is issuing a safety recall to fix door latches on some cars. It says some of the cars are registered or have been registered in Alabama. Ford is recalling some 2014-15 Ford Fiesta,…
Macon County EMA Issues Coronavirus Scam Warning
The Macon County Emergency Management Agency has issued a warning about a coronavirus-related scam. The EMA says it has been made aware of people going door-to-door in some areas saying they are authorized to do coronavirus/COVID-19 home testing. The EMA…
Walmart Looking to Hire 150,000; Giving Cash Bonuses to Some Employees
Walmart today announced plans to hire 150,000 new associates through the end of May to work in stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers. These roles would be temporary at first, but the company says many will convert to permanent…
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Warns of Coronavirus Scams
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is warning its customers about national Coronavirus scams. These are tips that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has provided to us: Scam Warning Signs: Door to door solicitation for any…
Express Closing Nearly 100 Stores Across Country Due to Declining Sales
Express Inc. will close about 100 stores as part of a restructuring plan as the chain grapples with drastic changes in where people spend their shopping dollars. The retailer that caters to younger shoppers said earlier this month said it…
CONSUMER ALERT: Toyota Recalling Nearly 700,000 Models
This is an Alabama News Network On Your Side Consumer Alert -- Toyota is recalling almost 700,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the fuel pumps can fail and cause engines to stall. That can increase the risk of a crash.…
Alabama Power Fees on Solar Challenged
Environmental groups are challenging Alabama Power's backup capacity fee on customers who use solar panels to produce part of their home electricity. The Alabama Public Service Commission held a Thursday hearing on the petition to abolish the fee. The petition…
Alabama Among States Affected by Salad Product Recall
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says thousands of pounds of salad products are being recalled due to a possible E. coli contamination. The department says Missa Bay, LLC from Swedesboro, New Jersey, is recalling more than 75,000 pounds (34,020 kilograms)…
Report: Google to Offer Checking Accounts
Google plans offer checking accounts run by Citigroup and a credit union, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. Big tech companies have been pushing into other arenas such as finance and health care to gain more access…
Thanksgiving Travel Rush Likely to Shatter Records
Record throngs of travelers are expected to jam into airports over the Thanksgiving break and airlines are adding hundreds of flights a day in response. The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday that it expects to screen more than 26.8 million…
