The National Institutes of Health became so concerned about the increasing numbers of boomer addicts that it issued a consumer alert this year, its first, on prescription and illicit drug abuse signs and dangers on its website NIHSeniorHealth.gov.

FORBES: The Scary Trend Of Boomer Addiction

The company showed off internet-enabled washing machines, refrigerators and ovens at CES. Some of the products will be out on the market later this year, but they will feature only limited versions of consumer-alert systems, said Steinkuhl, LG's product insight manager.

CNN: When refrigerators tweet and washing machines text

An e-mail could alert a consumer who didn't apply for a new card that Sears Roebuck (nyse: S - news - people ) or Citigroup (nyse: C - news - people ) checked his credit in connection with a new card application, a possible sign of identity theft.

FORBES: Paying For Peace Of Mind

Investors who followed market leadership sold out of precious metals and energy funds and bought into biotech funds like Fidelity Select Biotech (FBIOX), or more defensive sector funds like SPDR Utilities ( XLU) and SPDR Consumer Staples ( XLP), were paid for staying alert and active.

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The decision by Judge Ronald Gould chastises lawyers at prominent firms Lieff Cabraser and the National Consumer Law Center for knowingly setting up the conflict and failing to alert the court about it.

FORBES: Ninth Circuit Tosses Experian Settlement, Chides Lawyers Over Conflict

Perhaps as a condition of direct-to-consumer advertising, drug companies should have to set aside some funds to pay for advertisements that would alert consumers when something goes wrong.

FORBES: FDA Fix No. 5: Forget Labels