Alison Young Investigates

Health insurance scams on the rise

Ads and blast faxes tout health insurance for as little as $199 and assure buyers that pre-existing conditions are OK. But state health insurance commissioners warn they're seeing a growing number of these offers, which are often schemes that lure desperate consumers and strand them with unpaid medical bills. Health coverage scams spread

Food safety violations common at airport restaurants

Many airport restaurants that will feed thousands of holiday travelers this week have been cited for food safety violations on recent inspections, according to a USA TODAY review of records for nearly 800 restaurants at 10 airports. Among the violations: food being held at temperatures that can allow dangerous pathogens to grow, rat droppings and sinks lacking soap or hot water for workers to wash hands. Safety of food at airports spotty

Pharmacy mistakes can injure, kill

An estimated 3 percent of prescriptions filled by pharmacies have potentially harmful errors: The wrong drug, wrong dosage or wrong directions. In Georgia, state regulators investigate dozens of prescription misfills each year. Patients have been given the blood thinner warfarin, instead of their prescribed diabetes drug; an Alzheimer's treatment instead of sleeping pills; an antidepressant instead of an allergy medication, according to a review of pharmacy board disciplinary records.    The harm in pharmacy misfills

Investment scheme snares millions, prosecutors allege

The investments seemed like a good opportunity: Condos, a marina and a bank in Belize, and annuities that promised regular returns. But prosecutors allege that Frank Constantino was running an illegal scheme that collected millions of dollars from investors. Securities regulators in Missouri warned residents in their state about Constantino in 2003. Why did it take six years for Georgia regulators to take action against the Marietta financial adviser? Investors fight for their funds

Millions of dangerous baby cribs recalled

It used to be that safety watchdogs warned of the dangers of hand-me-down cribs made decades ago. But federal regulators are alarmed by threats posed by certain modern cribs, particularly those with drop sides. In the past two years more than 4.6 million have been recalled by multiple manufacturers. Experts say it's likely many of them are still in people's homes. Thirteen children have died in cribs and bassinets made by just one company; dozens have died in drop-side cribs involving multiple manufacturers.

Crib safety called into question

Full-price propane grill tanks may be only 3/4 full

If it seems that your grill is running out of propane more often than usual, it could be that you're buying tanks that now contain just 15 pounds of propane. While the metal tanks remain the same size, last summer two of the major tank exchange firms -- Blue Rhino and AmeriGas -- reduced the amount of propane they put in them. A full tank should contain 17-19 pounds of propane, experts say. To find out what's happened and learn about ways to get more propane for your money, go to: Propane users fear new tanks aren't full

Winners of weight-loss contest unhappy about prize delay

Two winners of a weight loss contest at an Atlanta-area Gold's Gym never received their $1,000 prize after the fitness challenge ended in April. For months they hounded gym managers. They even complained to the Better Business Bureau. After this reporter called the gym, the contest winners were notified checks were available for pick up.  Read the full story: Weight-loss contest finds unhappy winners

A credit report nightmare: Equifax mixes files

Under federal law the major credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion and Experian) are supposed to correct errors consumers find in their credit reports. But a Georgia woman has battled Equifax for two years after the Atlanta-based credit bureau merged her credit file with her brother's. How often do such problems happen? There are no good numbers. But consumer watchdogs say they suspect many consumers have problems with their reports and getting errors fixed. For tips on what you can do, check out: Credit report fix turns fiasco

Beware weight-loss hype for acai, other supplements

Marketers of dietary supplements like acai and hoodia claim their capsules are all-natural ways to shed pounds fast -- but often lack convincing evidence, experts say. Meanwhile, federal tests are increasingly finding hidden prescription drugs and other dangerous substances in weight loss supplements. And some firms are using schemes to get consumers' credit card numbers and run up charges. Do you really know what you're buying? Dietary supplements can hurt health, wallet

Be wary of auto warranty telemarketing calls, experts say

All those telemarketing calls pitching extended car warranties aren't just annoying. Some are selling products that fail to provide consumers what they thought they paid for, consumer watchdogs warn.
How to stop telemarketing auto warranty calls