SEATTLE – LifeLock – the identity theft prevention provider whose CEO published his Social Security number in advertisements – can no longer claim its services protect consumers from all forms of identity theft.

“The states and Federal Trade Commission picked apart LifeLock’s claims and alleged the company couldn’t deliver on its promises,” Attorney General Rob McKenna said. “Today’s agreement deadbolts LifeLock’s ability to claim its services eliminate the risk of identity theft.”

A group of 34 state attorneys general joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today in announcing an agreement with LifeLock, under which the Tempe, Ariz.-based company will pay $11 million in restitution to consumers. Although the FTC and state attorneys general share jurisdiction to investigate unfair and deceptive practices against consumers, a joint enforcement action of this magnitude is unprecedented.

Each year, about 8 million Americans, including 5,000 Washington residents, become victims of identity theft or identity fraud. Given these alarming statistics, attorneys general said consumers are looking for ways to protect themselves and their pocketbooks.

OLYMPIA–WSDOT, Grays Harbor Transit and project partners celebrated today at a community ribbon-cutting at a bigger and better Aberdeen Transit Station. The station expansion and upgrade was funded in part by an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant.

With the ARRA grant and additional Federal Transit Administration funding, crews began work on the Aberdeen Transit Station last summer and opened the new facility to the public on January 20, 2010. The ARRA funds created 49 jobs in the area bringing $270,000 (associated payroll) into Grays Harbor community and filled a $500,000 shortfall for the $1.75 million project.

“Congratulations to Grays Harbor County for successfully completing this expansion project,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire. “This project allows Grays Harbor Transit to accommodate future travel demand, improve access to regional business and job centers, keep communities connected and help revitalize the local economy” she said.

SEATTLE – It’s a g’day at the Washington Attorney General’s Office, where attorneys reached a settlement with a pair of Aussies who used sexy stories to sell bogus health cures over the Internet.

“The Internet has become a planet-wide hunting ground for fraudsters who lurk just below the surface like crocs in a river," Attorney General Rob McKenna said. “But this case proves that whether they're on the prowl in Seattle or Sydney, they’re still within justice’s reach.”



The deceptive business practices of Leanne Rita Vassallo and Aaron David Smith came to light last summer when the Attorney General’s Office filed a civil lawsuit accusing the pair of violating Washington’s Consumer Protection Act. The defendants, both of Cecil Hills, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, became millionaires while selling e-books for health conditions ranging from acne and asthma to sexually transmitted diseases and cancer.

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public comment on a draft plan to guide management of the state’s white-tailed deer populations.

Developed by WDFW over the past year, the five-year plan outlines strategies for sustainably managing the game animals throughout their range in eastern Washington.

Other key goals include maintaining stable deer-hunting opportunities for state citizens and reducing deer-related damage to crops and other personal property. 

OLYMPIA, March 8, 2010 – Here’s a consumer tip: check www.suspectfraud.com to avoid getting ripped off on that deal that sounds too good to be true.

OLYMPIA - Marking the start of the spring season, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has tentatively scheduled razor-clam digs on ocean beaches late this month and again in mid-April. 

As always, final approval of both digs will depend on results of marine toxin tests that show the clams are safe to eat.

Prospective diggers should note that the first opening - scheduled March 26-April 1 at various ocean beaches - starts on evening tides, then switches to morning tides for the final four days, said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.

"The digs planned this month span the seasonal change, when the lowest tides shift from evening to morning hours," Ayres said.  "As in past months, razor-clam digging will be allowed after noon for the first three days of the opening, but will then switch to morning hours starting Monday, March 29."

All states met the March 2, 2010 deadline to obligate 100% of the Recovery Act highway funds, meaning no money will be redistributed between states. WSDOT advertised two more cable median barrier projects receiving stimulus funds on March 1. To date, the agency has advertised 28 rumble strip and 13 cable median barrier projects receiving $12 million in Recovery Act funds. WSDOT and local governments continue to advance more Recovery Act projects for construction. Two more individual highway projects and one ferry terminal project were awarded this week.