Overseas travel rebate, Sears phases out PVC plastic

December 24, 2007 If you traveled overseas in the past ten years and used a credit or debit card, you're eligible for a rebate of at least $25.

This is all thanks to a $336,000,000 settlement of a class-action lawsuit.

The major credit card issuers were sued for allegedly failing to disclose currency conversion fees, which can add up to three percent of the cost of foreign purchases.

The settlement affects consumers who used a debit or credit card with a Visa, Mastercard, or Diner's Club logo for foreign purchases or transactions between February 1, 1996 and November 8, 2006.

You will have to provide personal information to file a claim, so do watch out for look-a-like scams.

Here is the link to the website: www.ccfsettlement.com

Sears to phase out PVC Packaging

Earlier this year, we told you to check your holiday lights for a warning label. It says handling the coated electrical wire on this product exposes you to lead.

Right now, nearly all appliance cords are covered with PVC plastic that contains lead, but that's about to change.

America's largest department store chain, Sears, is working to phase out polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, in its packaging and merchandise. Other retailers, including Target and Wal-Mart, have also agreed to reduce use of the material.

California and the European Union have banned some phthalates, a component of PVC used to keep plastic flexible. California requires the warning label on products containing PVC.