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Welcome to the May 2007 edition of the Federal Citizen Information Center's (FCIC) FEDINFO E-letter! These subscription e-letters from Pueblo are sent 6-8 times a year with helpful updates, practical information, and special offers to make your life a little easier. You can always find the latest information on our family of websites: Pueblo.gsa.gov, USA.gov, ConsumerAction.gov, and Kids.gov.

This issue includes:

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POSTAGE RATE INCREASE - NEW PRICES EFFECTIVE MAY 14, 2007 Stamp

Sending Uncle Frank a card for his birthday? You better make sure you have the correct postage. On May 14, 2007, a First-Class Mail stamp will increase to 41 cents, along with several other changes, including:

  • First-Class postage for postcards will now be 26 cents.
  • International mail products have now been simplified from eight main products into four: Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International and First-Class Mail International.
  • Customers can use the same Priority Mail and Express Mail packaging whether they are shipping within the United States or to another country.

In addition to these changes, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is issuing the Forever Stamp, which should get rid of the hassle of having to buy “make-up” stamps (1-cent and 2-cent stamps) whenever a price increase occurs. The Forever Stamp will initially be sold at the new First-Class stamp rate of 41 cents, but its value will always be the First-Class mail rate that is in effect on the day that the stamp is mailed. The Forever Stamp will be unaffected by any price increases in the future—that means forever, according to the USPS.

To find out more about the postage increases and other changes, visit the USPS website.

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HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE – THE “SILENT” KILLER Checking the blood pressure

Did you know that nearly one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure but doesn’t know it? Over time, people who don’t get treated can get very sick or even die. May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month—a perfect time to have your blood pressure checked. You can find out what your blood pressure is during your next doctor’s appointment, attending a community blood pressure screening in your area, or by using the free testing machine found in many neighborhood pharmacies.

If your number is higher than 140/90, you may need treatment. High blood pressure can be treated and controlled with healthy eating, exercise, and if necessary, medication. Find out more with Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure.

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THE SECRETS OF MYSTERY SHOPPING REVEALEDLadies with shopping bag.

Do you love to shop? If so, you may be tempted by unsolicited emails or newspaper ads that claim you can earn a living as a secret or mystery shopper by dining at elegant restaurants, shopping at pricey stores, or checking into luxurious hotels. But, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), marketers who promise high-paying jobs as mystery shoppers often do not deliver real opportunities.

What is Mystery Shopping?

Some retailers hire marketing research companies to evaluate the quality of service in their stores; these companies use mystery shoppers to get the information anonymously. They assign a mystery shopper to make a particular purchase in a store or restaurant, for example, and then report on the experience. Typically, the shopper is reimbursed and can keep the product or service.

Many professionals in the field consider mystery shopping a part-time activity, at best. Opportunities generally are posted online by marketing research or merchandising companies. Nevertheless, fraudulent mystery shopping promoters are using newspaper ads and emails to create the impression that they’re a gateway to lucrative mystery shopper jobs with reputable companies. These solicitations usually promote a website where consumers can “register” to become mystery shoppers—after they pay a fee for information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job.

The truth is that it is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited email is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free; and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are on the Internet for free. Consumers who try to get a refund from promoters of mystery shopping jobs usually are out of luck. Either the business doesn’t return the phone calls, or if it does, it’s to try to get even more money from you.

To learn more about mystery shopping, check out the FTC’s Consumer Alert.

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FDA ENHANCES ONLINE CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATION stethoscope on the keyboard

Keeping up with the latest consumer health information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just got easier thanks to a new consumer webpage and e-newsletter.

The new consumer web page, "Consumer Health Information for You and Your Family," presents important health developments in a clear, accurate, and easy-to-read language. Current articles include topics such as the FDA’s ongoing investigation of the recent recall of more than 100 brands of pet food due to potential contamination, the benefits and risks of pain relievers, and what FDA is doing to keep fruits and vegetables safe.

The page also links to important information about the various products that FDA regulates such as food, human and animal drugs, medical devices, and vaccines. Links to health information in Spanish are also included on the page.

The free monthly e-newsletter, "FDA Consumer Health Information," alerts consumers to content contained on the new web page. Subscribers will receive notice of product approvals, safety warnings, and other health news.

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FREE PUBLICATIONSfree

FCIC frequently has special offers of free publications mentioned in magazines and newspapers around the country. We want to give you an opportunity to order these publications online--even if you didn't see the original article. You can find these promotions on our Free Publication Offers page. You can also sign up for e-mail notices to find out when new offers have been added.

Note: Some of the older offers mentioned on the page have ended but they provide links to the publications online or you can order a free sample package of currently-available publications.

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Previous issues of the FEDINFO E-letter can be found at: www.pueblo.gsa.gov/fedinfonews/fedinfoarchives.htm.

You can change your subscriptions, password, or e-mail address or remove yourself from this service at any time on your User Profile page. All you need are your e-mail address and password (if you selected one).

This service is provided free of charge by the Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) at Pueblo, CO, your one-stop source for information about consumer problems and government services. Visit us at www.pueblo.gsa.gov.

For questions or problems with this subscription service, e-mail updates@pueblo.gsa.gov. For inquiries related to FCIC, email us.
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