DATE: Wednesday, August 27, 1997            TAG: 9708260113

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

                                            LENGTH:   54 lines

NEWWS AND NOTES

New leash has

retractable flashlight

For those nighttime walks with Rover, Black & Decker has created a retractable leash with a built-in flashlight.

The LeashLight operates on two ``C'' cell batteries and has a heavy-duty leash for dogs weighing 30 to 80 pounds. The suggested retail price is $39.99.

FTC warns consumers

of magazine scams

Fraudulent magazine marketers have scammed millions of dollars from thousands of consumers, using tactics such as phony prize promotions and offers of ``prepaid'' subscriptions, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The government watchdog agency has cracked down on some of the worst offenders but wants consumers to know that the best defense against such magazine scams is to prevent them from happening in the first place.

Among the FTC's suggestions:

Listen carefully to the sales pitch and ask questions to be sure you understand the deal.

Ask for a written copy of the contract before agreeing to buy.

Do the math. Subscription prices actually may be far higher than they sound.

Be skeptical about bargains or free offers or offers that are good for a limited time only.

Be wary about giving out your bank account or credit card numbers.

If you're not interested, tell the caller to put you on a ``do not call'' list. There are two free FTC publications on the subject: ``Do the Math: Magazine Subscription Scams Don't Add Up'' and ``Facts for Consumers: Magazine Subscription Scams.''

Write to: FTC's Public Reference Branch, Room 130, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20580; or call 202-326-2222; or go to: http://www.ftc.gov on the Internet.

Levi's recalls

dresses with snaps

More than 86,000 Levi's girls dresses have been recalled because their snaps can detach, presenting a choking hazard to young children.

Three styles of Levi's dresses are affected by the recall: short- and long-sleeve western dresses, and long-sleeve plaid-blocked dresses. They have simulated pearl snaps on the front and sewn-in labels that have ``Levi's . . . 100 percent cotton. . . Made in Indonesia'' printed on them. The dresses were sold at major department stores nationwide, including J.C. Penney and Dillard's, from April 1996 through February 1997 for about $25.

Consumers should return the dresses to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, call Levi Strauss & Co. at 1-800-872-5384. KEYWORDS: RECALL

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