CONSUMER CATCH-UP: More inclined infant sleepers recalled, FTC warns VoIP providers not to assist robocallers, and Bird debuts improved scooter in San Francisco

BySimone Chavoor KGO logo
Friday, January 31, 2020
CONSUMER CATCH-UP: More inclined infant sleepers recalled, FTC warns VoIP providers not to assist robocallers, and more
CONSUMER CATCH-UP: More inclined infant sleepers recalled, FTC warns VoIP providers not to assist robocallers, and Bird debuts improved scooter in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- More inclined infant sleepers recalled due to suffocation risk

Four more companies are recalling inclined infant sleepers in response to the suffocation risk they pose to babies.

Graco, Summer Infant, Evenflo and Delta Children announced voluntary recalls, joining Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper and other similar products. Inclined sleepers have been found to allow babies to roll onto their stomach or side, leading to at least 73 reported suffocation deaths.

Here's more details on the recalled items:

SwaddleMe By Your Bed - Summer Infants

Model number 91394

46,300 units recalled

Pillo Portable Napper - Evenflo

Model number 12132125

3,100 units recalled

Incline Sleeper with Adjustable Feeding Position for Newborns - Delta Enterprise Corporation

Model numbers 27404-2255, 27404-437, 27404-758, and 27404-942

5,900 units recalled

Little Lounger Rocking Seat - Graco

Model numbers 1872034, 1875063, 1875102, 1877160, 1882081, 1896313, 1908957, 1914283 and 2047734, 1922809

111,000 units recalled

FTC warns VoIP providers not to 'assist or facilitate' robocallers

The Federal Trade Commission is showing it's serious about stopping robocalls, by issuing warning letters to 19 VoIP service providers.

VoIP stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol," allowing users to essentially make voice calls over the internet -- which is much cheaper than traditional telephonic calls. Of course, this means that scammers love it.

"VoIP service providers play a unique role in the robocall ecosystem, allowing fraudsters and abusive telemarketers to call consumers at a fraction of a penny per minute," said FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Andrew Smith. "These warning letters put VoIP providers on notice that we will take action when they knowingly facilitate illegal robocalls."

The FTC sent the letters warning the VoIP service providers that legal action may be taken against them if they assist or facilitate telemarketers and phone fraudsters in making their calls, including transmitting fake or misleading caller IDs, misrepresenting a caller's affiliation with a government agency, or allowing calls to consumers who are on the Do Not Call registry.

FCC levies $13 million fine against robocaller

The FCC is seeking a nearly $13 million fine from an Iowa man.

The commission claims he made thousands of robocalls -- many of them racist and anti-semitic.

Scott Rhodes is accused of using caller ID spoofing: using technology to hide his real phone number.

Nearly 15,000 robocalls went to Californians in 2018, attacking Senator Dianne Feinstein's Jewish heritage.

He's also accused of making robocalls to try to sow hatred against Mexicans following the 2018 murder in Iowa of 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts, who grew up in Oakland.

Rhodes lived in the same town in Iowa as Tibbetts.

Bird premieres improved 'Bird Two' scooter design in San Francisco

A Bird scooter on hand is worth two Bird scooters in a bush -- or however that old saying goes.

Scoot, now owned by Bird, is introducing a new model of scooter in San Francisco. The new "Bird Two" scooter comes with new features intended to prevent theft and vandalism. After all, when the scooters were first introduced in 2018, they were often found damaged, destroyed, thrown in lakes... and yes, in bushes too.

The scooter comes with "autonomous damage sensors" that detect issues with the scooter, has puncture-resistant tires, a new kickstand that reduces tipping, and its software even has anti-theft encryption. The Bird Two also has a sleeker look, with minimized wires and screws -- this eliminates tripping and injury hazards, as well as reduces the potential points of entry for thieves. The new scooter also boasts a battery with 50% longer life.

The Bird Two will replace Bird's existing scooters in San Francisco, with plans to deploy 1,000 of them immediately.

Take a look at more stories and videos by Michael Finney and 7 On Your Side.