• Automotive
    • Automobiles
    • ATVs
    • Auto Electronics
    • Car-Top Carriers
    • Motorcycles & Scooters
    • Previews & Trends
    • Shop Smart
    • Tires
    • Under the Hood

    Featured Automotive Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Certified Preowned Buying Guide

      Haven’t thought about buying a certified preowned vehicle? Think again. 

    • test1 160 106 test3 Consumers Digest’s 2013 Automotive Best Buys

      Forty-three recommendations across 12 categories.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Inner Space: Exploring New Design Features

      Vehicles are getting smaller, so automakers are getting creative to produce more interior space.

    See All Automotive

    Automotive News

    • VW iBeetle will turn iPhone into car’s infotainment system

      April 22, 2013—Apple iPhone 5 owners will have a new accessory option—a car.

    • Ford, GM to create 9-speed transmissions in partnership

      April 16, 2013—Ford Motor and General Motors will co-develop nine- and 10-speed automatic transmissions that the automakers plan to use in future vehicles.

  • Appliances
    • Floor Care
    • Heating & Air Conditioning
    • Large Appliances
    • Small Appliances

    Featured Appliances Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Refrigerators: The Newest Space Stations

      Enhanced versatility is the rule of the day.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Playing All the Angles: High-Performance Dishwashers

       The latest dishwashers are quieter, use less water and have more wash options than older models did.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Range Hoods: Under-Cabinet • Chimney • Downdraft

      Today's strongest models might need makeup-air systems.

    See All Appliances

    Appliances News

    • GE’s newest washer dries clothes overnight

      April 22, 2013—General Electric’s newest front-loading washing machine also can dry your clothes.

    • Study: Blenders, can openers harbor the most germs in your kitchen

      April, 12, 2013—What are the germiest kitchen products? You might be surprised by the answer.

  • Electronics
    • Audio
    • Auto Electronics
    • Batteries
    • Cameras & Camcorders
    • Computers & Accessories
    • Home Security
    • Navigation
    • Phones & Communication
    • Software
    • Streaming Audio/Video
    • Video

    Featured Electronics Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Making The Grade: Best Buys In Educational Software & Exceptional Apps For Kids

       You can’t count on the availability of CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and downloadable programs beyond 2013.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Streaming A/V Gear: Making the Right Connections

      Streaming-video boxes deliver more features than ever.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Prime-time: Universal Remotes

      Tweaks to the latest models include Internet protocol.

    See All Electronics

    Electronics News

    • U.S. Cellular plans to sell iPhone

      May 6, 2013—U.S. Cellular will start to sell the Apple iPhone later in 2013, according to multiple news reports.

    • Internet companies improve efforts to protect your data from government

      May 1, 2013—Internet companies increasingly take steps to block law enforcement or government agencies from getting access to your personal data, according to a report by an Internet privacy-rights group.

  • Home
    • Bathroom
    • Backyard
    • Bedroom
    • Buying & Owning
    • Doors & Windows
    • Furniture
    • Home Comfort
    • Kitchen
    • Power Tools
    • Security & Lighting
    • Sewing Machines
    • Storage
    • Water Filters & Softeners

    Featured Home Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Whole-House Air Purifiers: Efficiency Report

      You should be wary about claims of overall effectiveness for whole-house air purifiers.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Home-Security Services: Under Surveillance

      A lack of regulation can lead to unlicensed workers installing home-security systems.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Pouring It On: Innovative Kitchen Faucets & Sinks

      The latest faucets have higher spouts than ever before.

    See All Home

    Home News

    • AT&T enters home-security-system market

      April 26, 2013—AT&T is the latest telecommunications company to launch a home-security and home-monitoring service.

    • Homeowners start to get checks from mortgage-processing settlement

      April 10, 2013—Homeowners who reported foreclosure or loan-modification errors that were caused by mortgage-service companies will receive settlement checks beginning April 2013.

  • Health
    • Beauty
    • Diet & Exercise
    • Mobility
    • Doctors & Hospitals
    • Preventative
    • Treatment
    • Women

    Featured Health Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Energy Drinks: Monster Claims, Empty Promises, Marketing to Children

      Consumers aren’t any closer to understanding what exactly is in energy drinks.

    • test1 160 106 test3 High-Tech Hearing Aids: Hearing Is Believing

      As technologies change in hearing-aids, consumers still must navigate a maze of confusion when it’s purchase time.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Home Fitness Equipment: A New Interactive Experience

      Ellipticals • Exercise Bikes • Home Gyms • Treadmills

    See All Health

    Health News

    • Beet and carrot beverages get FDA warning for botulism risk

      May 10, 2013—Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to consume Juices Inc. juice products or other beverages.

    • Congress questions safety of DMAA

      May 10, 2013—Three members of a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee are looking into the safety of an ingredient that’s used in muscle-building supplements.

  • Travel & Recreation
    • ATVs
    • Bicycles
    • Binoculars
    • Boats & Personal Watercraft
    • Campers & RVs
    • Camping Gear
    • Car-Top Carriers
    • Destinations
    • Exercise Equipment
    • Game Tables
    • Leisure
    • Luggage
    • Motorcycles & Scooters
    • Music
    • Planning a Trip
    • Sewing Machines
    • Snowmobiles

    Featured Travel & Recreation Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Waterparks: Is Public Safety Going Down the Tubes?

      Because of a lack of nationwide regulation, waterpark visits might be an accident waiting to happen.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Amusement Parks: Top Attractions, Hottest Rides & Best Values

      Excitement is on the rise. So are admission prices and fees.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Car Rental: How to Avoid Being Taken for a Ride

      Disputes over damage claims and questionable tactics when companies rent recalled vehicles can spell trouble for you.

    See All Travel & Recreation

    Travel & Recreation News

    • Viking to set sail for ocean, sea cruises in 2015

      May 17, 2013—Viking River Cruises plans to expand to ocean and sea voyages in 2015.

    • Amusement-park injuries for children reach 4,400 per year

      May 1, 2013—A new study says 4,400 children are injured each year on amusement-park rides.

  • Family
    • Baby Gear
    • Children
    • Education
    • Pets
    • Senior Living

    Featured Family Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Making The Grade: Best Buys In Educational Software & Exceptional Apps For Kids

       You can’t count on the availability of CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and downloadable programs beyond 2013.

    • test1 160 106 test3 High-Tech Hearing Aids: Hearing Is Believing

      As technologies change in hearing-aids, consumers still must navigate a maze of confusion when it’s purchase time.

    • test1 160 106 test3 The Fleecing of America’s Elderly

      Government could do a lot more to protect seniors.

    See All Family

    Family News

    • FTC to field consumer questions during identity-theft workshop for senior citizens

      May 6, 2013—Senior citizens who have questions about identity theft can submit questions to Federal Trade Commission on May 7, 2013, as part of an agency workshop that will be broadcast on the Internet.

    • Telemarketers targeted seniors in medical-alert scam, FTC says

      March 11, 2013—Federal Trade Commission exposed another company for allegedly ripping off senior citizens.

  • Lawn & Garden
    • Outdoor Living
    • Snowthrowers
    • Yard Care

    Featured Lawn & Garden Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Swing Shift: Backyard Playsets Evolve

       You’ll want more space and you’ll spend more money to add horizontal climbing bars to your playset.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Grass Seed: Turf Wars: Separating Fact from Filler

      It’s unclear whether grass-seed manufacturers’ claims about their products are accurate.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Grounds Keepers: Top-Rated Lawnmowers & Tillers

      There are more zero-turn-radius riding models than ever before, and you’ll find more cordless electric walk-behind lawnmowers.

    See All Lawn & Garden

    Lawn & Garden News

    • Cub Cadet introduces first electric ZTR lawnmower

      April 5, 2013—The first Cub Cadet electric-powered zero-turn-radius riding lawnmower will arrive in stores this month.

    • First hybrid riding lawnmower can double as portable generator

      March 25, 2013—This spring, you can buy a riding lawnmower that cuts grass and saves gasoline—sort of.

  • Money
    • Banking & Credit Cards
    • College
    • Financial Planning
    • Insurance
    • Investing
    • Real Estate
    • Spending

    Featured Money Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Reality Check: Third-Party Bill-Payment Services

      Third-party bill-payment services, though desirable in theory, still are in their infancy.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Financial Forecast: Smart Money Moves for 2013

      Expert Picks • Investments • Interest Rates • Real Estate

    • test1 160 106 test3 The Truth About Estate Sales

      An unqualified agent might take no security measures at an estate sale, which makes it easier for someone else to steal.

    See All Money

    Money News

    • FTC to field consumer questions during identity-theft workshop for senior citizens

      May 6, 2013—Senior citizens who have questions about identity theft can submit questions to Federal Trade Commission on May 7, 2013, as part of an agency workshop that will be broadcast on the Internet.

    • Most wireless customers get overage alerts, FCC says

      April 19, 2013—The wireless telecommunication industry’s voluntary guidelines that are designed to prevent cellphone users from getting unexpected overage fees appears to be effective, according to Federal Communications Commission.

  • Special Reports
    • Consumer Protection
    • Dis-Services
    • Investigative Reports
    • Marketing: Behind the Scenes
    • The Green Consumer

    Featured Special Reports Articles

    • test1 160 106 test3 Energy Drinks: Monster Claims, Empty Promises, Marketing to Children

      Consumers aren’t any closer to understanding what exactly is in energy drinks.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Home-Security Services: Under Surveillance

      A lack of regulation can lead to unlicensed workers installing home-security systems.

    • test1 160 106 test3 Counterfeit Cuisine: The Dangers of Food Fraud

      How you end up paying too much for the wrong species of fish or for corrupted versions of olive oil or maple syrup.

    See All Special Reports

    Investigative Reports

    • How to Avoid Computer-Repair Ripoffs

      Think twice before you take your computer to the nearest repair specialist. Many people are scammed by technicians who are moved more by profit than principle.

    • Grave Concerns: Digging Up the Dirt on Cemetery Scams

      You might face more than the grief of the loss of a loved one: grave desecration and double-sold plots.

  • A-Z Article Index
  • Login

    Forgot Password?

  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
50th Anniversary

Home > Special Reports

  • Consumer Protection
  • Dis-Services
  • Investigative Reports
  • Marketing: Behind the Scenes
  • The Green Consumer
test1 500 313 test3

Energy Drinks: Monster Claims, Empty Promises, Marketing to Children

Consumers aren’t any closer to understanding what exactly is in energy drinks.

Read More
test1 500 313 test3

Home-Security Services: Under Surveillance

A lack of regulation can lead to unlicensed workers installing home-security systems.

Read More
test1 500 313 test3

Counterfeit Cuisine: The Dangers of Food Fraud

How you end up paying too much for the wrong species of fish or for corrupted versions of olive oil or maple syrup.

Read More
  • test1 139 77 test3 Consumers aren’t any closer…

  • test1 139 77 test3 A lack of regulation can lead to…

  • test1 139 77 test3 How you end up paying too much…

Popular Special Reports

  • test1 160 106 test3 Medical Debt: Adding Insult to Injury

    You can negotiate with health-care providers and debt collectors to reduce your debt or develop a payment plan for medical bills.

  • test1 160 106 test3 'Premium' Pet Food: Begging for the Truth

    There is little evidence that cats and dogs benefit from costly and unusual ingredients in their food.

  • test1 160 106 test3 Why Smart Meters Might Be a Dumb Idea

    Smart meters are supposed to give you more control over your energy use, but experts doubt that you’ll ever see the touted savings.

Consumer Protection

Proceed with Caution: The Truth About Online Dating

Roughly 40 million people used at least one online dating service in 2012. The onus is on you to protect yourself.

Marketing: Behind the Scenes

A Dangerous Practice: How Drug Companies Bend FDA Rules

Drugmakers want more freedom to market the use of so-called off-label prescriptions.

 

Consumer Protection

Internet Pet Stores: Beware of Dogs

Plenty of online businesses will sell you pets, but you don’t always get what you expect.

Consumer Protection

Medical Apps: Gambling With Your Health

 Some medical mobile applications do what they claim to do, but others just siphon bucks from your pocket.

Consumer Protection

Waterparks: Is Public Safety Going Down the Tubes?

Because of a lack of nationwide regulation, waterpark visits might be an accident waiting to happen.

Consumer Protection

Car Rental: How to Avoid Being Taken for a Ride

Disputes over damage claims and questionable tactics when companies rent recalled vehicles can spell trouble for you.

Consumer Protection

The Truth About Estate Sales

An unqualified agent might take no security measures at an estate sale, which makes it easier for someone else to steal.

Investigative Reports

The Fleecing of America’s Elderly

Government could do a lot more to protect seniors.

Special Reports

Charities: Using Your Head and Your Heart

Where to donate in today's economy.

Marketing: Behind the Scenes

The Truth About Sugar & Sweeteners

No independent research indicates whether artificial sweeteners are better for your health.

Dis-Services

Medical Debt: Adding Insult to Injury

You can negotiate with health-care providers and debt collectors to reduce your debt or develop a payment plan for medical bills.

Dis-Services

Power Games: The Charges Against Utility Companies

You might want to use a magnifying glass to read the fine print that’s on power contracts for hidden fees.

Consumer Protection

Credit-Score Outrage

Why the Ultimate Numbers Game Is Out of Control

Why the Ultimate Numbers Game Is Out of Control

Consumer Protection

Life-Insurance Companies: Bad-Faith Policies

Some insurance companies use tactics to delay death-claim payments to increase their profit.

Investigative Reports

Under the Influence: How Doctors Are Courted By Drugmakers

How Doctors Are Courted By Drugmakers

Consumer Protection

Cellphone Taxes & Fees: Out of Control

It’s bad enough that Americans pay $18 billion annually in cellphone fees and taxes. Now state and local governments are diverting that revenue to plug budget holes.

Marketing: Behind the Scenes

No Sweat: The Truth About Performance Apparel

Performance-apparel companies claim that their garments will improve your performance, but no independent data back that up.

Consumer Protection

Serious Charges: The Relentless Banking Money-Grab

The Relentless Banking Money-Grab

Investigative Reports

A Bad Connection: Cellphone Radiation & Health Risks

The possible connection between cellphone-radiation emissions and health risks is worrisome—and seemingly ignored.

Consumer Protection

Identity Crisis

How Your Privacy is Invaded on the Internet

Hidden data collectors track your online activity.

Consumer Protection

The Great Beer Challenge

How Two Companies Control Your Options

Major brewing companies and beer distributors want to limit your access to the wide array of beers that are available.

Marketing: Behind the Scenes

Hard to Swallow

The Truth About Infant Formula

Evidence doesn't support claims that because premium infant formula includes supplements, it's an improved product.

Marketing: Behind the Scenes

Begging for the Truth

'Premium' Pet Food's Unproven Claims

There is little evidence that cats and dogs benefit from costly and unusual ingredients in their food.

Investigative Reports

Why Smart Meters Might Be a Dumb Idea

Smart meters are supposed to give you more control over your energy use, but experts doubt that you’ll ever see the touted savings.

Investigative Reports

Flash Back

The Troubling Revival of Hormone Therapy

Doctors’ new claims of safety are questionable.

Consumer Protection

Desperate Measures

Financially Strapped Governments Tax Junk Food ... What's Next?

Lawmakers try to dig their way out of their financial hole.

Marketing: Behind the Scenes

Risky Business

How to Avoid Work-At-Home Scams

Scam artists find new ways to prey on consumers who are desperate for jobs or who seek extra cash.

Dis-Services

Cloud Computing

What's Behind the Billowing Privacy & Security Concerns

Can you trust the “cloud” to keep your personal data safe?

Consumer Protection

License to Steal

Outrageous Bank Fees and Business Practices

Banks are living high on the hog while consumers are hog-tied by exorbitant fees. The government can’t be counted on to help.

Consumer Protection

Total Recall

Why Product Safety Has Taken a Back Seat

Recall of automobiles and products is hampered by a system that depends on the release of safety information from manufacturers.

Marketing: Behind the Scenes

In Your Face

How Cosmetics Companies Conceal the Truth

The lack of regulation and transparency on ingredients means that you could be applying dangerous materials to your face.

Marketing: Behind the Scenes

Crunch Time

The Way Cereal Companies Sugarcoat the Facts

Breakfast cereal has too much sugar and far fewer nutritional benefits than what cereal companies brazenly imply.

Marketing: Behind the Scenes

Nowhere to Hide

New Frontiers in Advertising

Ads are more aggressive as they target an audience that doesn’t use traditional media.

Investigative Reports

Grave Concerns

Digging Up the Dirt on Cemetery Scams

You might face more than the grief of the loss of a loved one: grave desecration and double-sold plots.

The Green Consumer

The Great Illusion

Curbside Recycling

Much recyclable waste picked up at the curb ends up in the same place as the trash: the landfill.

Consumer Protection

The Fine Print

Why Credit-Card Reform Comes Up Way Short

New rules provide some more protection for consumers, but banks are exploiting the loopholes that are in the reforms.

The Green Consumer

Burning Out

What’s Behind Energy Star’s Diminished Value

 The Energy Star logo is supposed to identify highly efficient appliances, but flaws have weakened its usefulness.

Marketing: Behind the Scenes

Bottled Waters: Flooding the Market

Big Water is trying to tempt you to buy with eco-claims and fancy flavors. All this does for us is leave a bad taste in our mouths.

Dis-Services

Deal or No Deal?

Liquidation Sales

Liquidation sales often lure shoppers with misleading promises of discounts that amount to no deal at all.

Investigative Reports

Against the Grain

The Problems with Ethanol

The government is pouring billions of dollars into promoting ethanol, but evidence is mounting that it actually damages the environment and fouls up your engines.

The Green Consumer

Next-­Generation Green

The next generation of affordable “green” products includes erasable paper and fuel cells for electronics.

Investigative Reports

Degrees of Difficulty

The Truth About Online Universities

Dubious methods have us raising our hands with questions about the value of earning an online degree.

The Green Consumer

Inside America’s Green Machine

There’s more hype about products’ eco-friendliness, although many of these claims are far from true.

Marketing: Behind the Scenes

When Charity Begins at Retail

Where Do Your Purchase Donations Really Go?

Most of your purchase money usually ends up in the pockets of the company sponsoring the promotion.

Investigative Reports

How to Avoid Computer-Repair Ripoffs

Think twice before you take your computer to the nearest repair specialist. Many people are scammed by technicians who are moved more by profit than principle.

Dis-Services

Stop the Presses!

What Aspiring Authors Must Know About Print-on-Demand Publishing

Print-on-demand is not as simple, nor as profitable, as you might think.

Investigative Reports

Optical Illusion

Influence by frame makers decreases the medical focus for this product.

Dis-Services

The Sneaky Side of Online Shopping

Online shopping features offered by stores are meant to make customers feel as if they have the upper hand, but retailers benefit just as much.

Investigative Reports

Dirty Little Secrets

Why Rehab Centers Must Come Clean

New methods for treating drug and alcohol abusers have created confusion and sometimes flawed choices for consumers.

Dis-Services

Getting Out of Hand

Nail Salons

While the number of nail salons grew tremendously in the last few years, the incidence of infection and disease related to their use rose as well.

How our Best Buys are Determined

Best Buy
Recommendations

How our Best Buys are Determined

Stay Connected

A-Z Index • Current Issue • Auto • Recalls • Departments • Mobile • Our Best Buy Process
Message from the Publisher • About Us • Contact • FAQ • User Agreement • Privacy • Site Map

2013 Copyright - Consumers Digest Communications, LLC