PR Newswire Broadcast Minute for Wednesday, April 5, 2006

PR Newswire Broadcast Minute for Wednesday, April 5, 2006

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Consumer Group Warns Taxpayers: Don't Borrow Your Own Money

Say 'No' to Refund Anticipation Loans

The National Consumers League issued a warning to American taxpayers to avoid borrowing their own money at exorbitant interest rates by applying for a Refund Anticipation Loan or RAL. "These predatory lending practices of 'loaning' a taxpayer their own tax refund for between a 40 percent and 700 percent interest rate should be outlawed," said Linda Golodner, President of the National Consumers League.

According to IRS data, more than 12.38 million Americans applied for RALs in 2004 and spent $1.6 billion in fees just to access their own tax refunds two weeks earlier. The effective annual interest rate for a RAL varies based on the size of the refund -- from 40 percent on a refund up to $9,999 to over 700 percent for a $200 refund. One out of every three taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit which is specifically for low-income working individuals and families, applied for a RAL.

Full story at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=3178298

Germs, Not Just Employees, Hard at Work at Offices Nationwide

Cleaning Tips From the Experts Help Keep Germs Around the Office at Bay

In the United States' work-driven society, 75 percent of office workers eat lunch at their desks two or three times a week. In addition to increased productivity, this also leads to an increase in something else -- the level of bacteria on office desks.

According to a recent study by Dr. Charles Gerba from the University of Arizona, the average office desk is home to 5,015 germs per square inch, 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. And, the average office phone harbors even more bacteria at 5,585 per square inch. Without proper daily cleaning, the office environment can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, leading to illness and lost time in productivity.

Full story at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=3178153

The Daily Show's Rob Corddry to Host The 10th Annual Webby Awards in NYC on June 12, 2006

Mayor Michael Bloomberg Salutes 'Online Oscars'; Webby Nominees to Be Unveiled April 11th

Setting the stage for The 10th Annual Webby Awards, comedian Rob Corddry of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart will return as host for this year's gala ceremony at New York City's historic Cipriani Wall Street on June 12th, organizers announced today.

Proclaimed "the online equivalent of an Oscar" by the New York Times (June 21, 2005), The Webby Awards is the leading international honors for Web sites and the innovators behind them. Nominations for The 10th Annual Webby Awards will be announced on April 11.

Full story at: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp?resourceid=3178444

The PR Newswire Broadcast Minute is available by email at no charge to members of the media who sign up for PR Newswire for Journalists, http://www.prnewswire.com/media . For more information, contact Rob Fisher at 408-365-8793 or email rob.fisher@prnewswire.com .

PRNewswire -- April 5

Source: PR Newswire

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