LifeLock Inc. agreed to pay $11 million to the Federal Trade Commission and $1 million to 35 state attorneys general, including in Pennsylvania, to settle charges that the company used false claims to promote its identity theft protection services. Since 2006, LifeLock's ads have claimed it could prevent ID theft for consumers who paid the $10 monthly fee. "The protection it actually provided left enough holes that you could drive a truck through it," the FTC said. The agency will use the money for refunds for customers. Refund information is available at www.ftc.gov/lifelock or by calling 202-326-3757.

Gasoline prices in the Pittsburgh region and nationally continue to creep higher. The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline at local pumps was $2.827 Tuesday, an increase of about 7 cents over last week's average, and 16 cents higher than the average a month ago, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge report. The average price nationally was $2.759 Tuesday, 10 cents higher than a month ago.

Macy's department stores has turned over its 15 Ecotage salons to a third-party operator, Premier Salons. The salon operator, with offices in Golden Valley, Minn., runs more than 140 sites around the country including salons in Boscov department stores. The change, made in the last week, affected five locations in Western Pennsylvania at South Hills Village, Century III Mall, Westmoreland Mall, the Downtown store and Erie. About 250 employees were asked to apply for jobs with the new salon operator. "Operating salons is really not a core competency for us," a Macy's spokesman said.

A popular Downtown hair salon will be moving several blocks to the Piatt Place development this summer. Izzazu Salon and Spa is scheduled to relocate from its space on the Boulevard of the Allies to Fifth Avenue and Wood Street in June. The hair salon will join McCormick and Schmick's and Capital Grille restaurants in the retail space at Piatt Place, the former Lazarus-Macy's department store. The state recently moved some of its offices into the upper floors of the development, which also is home to 65 luxury rooftop condominiums.

Indiana, Pa.-based Superior Well Services Inc. posted a fourth-quarter loss of $15.2 million, or 58 cents per diluted share, on revenues of $95.9 million, compared with year-ago profits of $11.1 million, or 48 cents per diluted share, on revenues of $161.7 million. For the year, the company had a loss $79.6 million, or $3.39 per diluted share, compared with 2008 profits of $38.8 million, or $1.64 per diluted share.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will hold a public hearing Tuesday, March 30, in Washington to gather evidence and testimony on the application by The Meadows Racetrack & Casino to add 68 table games. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. at the Courthouse Square Office Building, room 104, 100 W. Beau Street, in Washington. People can register to testify or find more information at www.pgcb.state.pa.us.

First Niagara Financial CEO John Koelmel saw his compensation surge 48 percent last year to $2.53 million, up from $1.71 million in 2008, according to documents filed for the Buffalo, N.Y.-based company's April 27 annual shareholders meeting. The increase reflects the bank's "exceptional performance during 2009," First Niagara said. The bank posted profits of $67.3 million last year, including special charges, down from $87.3 million in 2008.

Continental Airlines plans to cancel flights rather than risk stiff fines under new federal rules designed to punish carriers for delaying passengers. CEO Jeff Smisek said Tuesday the result would be that passengers would have more trouble getting to their destinations. A spokesman for the U.S. Transportation Department said airlines could avoid fines by doing a better job of scheduling flights and crews. Under a Transportation Department rule taking effect next month, airlines can be fined up to $27,500 per passenger if planes are delayed three hours and passengers can't get off. Also Tuesday, Continental Airlines said it would resume consolidation efforts after calling off a merger with United two years ago.

Internet con artists appear to be targeting victims of Bernard Madoff. The Securities Investor Protection Corporation warned Tuesday that someone had set up a bogus website that mimics a legitimate one in an attempt to trick Madoff victims into turning over confidential information. ... Gwen Manto has been named chief customer officer for South Side retail consulting firm First Insight Inc. Ms. Manto was previously chief merchandising officer for Findlay retailer Dick's Sporting Goods. ... Chevron said it would cut 2,000 jobs this year and sell some overseas operations as it revamps its operations. The cuts represent just over 3 percent of its overall work force.

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