Noon headlines

Turnpike buyouts, Vonage settlement, gift card rules

The Ohio turnpike is offering buyouts of up to $35,000 to its toll booth collecters. The EZ Pass system now in place simply means fewer booth operators are needed. The turnpike is hoping 40 of 287 full-time employees will accept the offer.

Ohio and Michigan are among 32 states that will together receive $3 million from a settlement with internet phone company "Vonage". In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company also agreed to provide refunds to affected customers. Officials got complaints from people saying it was difficult to cancel their Vonage service amid pressure from the company to keep their accounts. Vonage will revise its disclosures about offers of "free" services, money-back guarantees and trial periods.

The Federal Reserve is proposing new laws to protect consumers from unexpected costs or restrictions when it comes to gift cards. Under the new rules, shoppers would have at least five years to use them before they expire and inactivity fees would be limited. The rules take effect next August.

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