There is an actual term for debt that has come back from the dead to haunt you. Zombie debt (also known as ghost debt) is a dormant debt that is resurrected by debt collectors and is designed to get you to pay for something you may no longer owe. Or …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Jolly Roger (jollyrogertelephone.com) is a new program using artificial intelligence (AI) to drive scam callers crazy. The program “engages” the live caller using AI to keep them on the phone as long as possible and to frustrate them to no end. If you’d like to hear an example, go to: …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
CRAIGSLIST CLAIMS ANOTHER VICTIM: A couple from Chicago contracted for the perfect Seattle location for their wedding using Craigslist. The couple rented a Seattle residence for two weeks for about $3,000 for their wedding preparation and nuptials.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Joe Lykins called and told me about the Senior Medicare Patrol. Joe is this area’s volunteer coordinator. The service is available right here in our area to Medicare beneficiaries, designed to prevent, detect and report Medicare-based health care fraud.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
What’s a “come-on”? At best it’s something that is done to get customers for a business. At worst, it’s a dishonest way to entice consumers to click here, enter your email there, or provide identifying, confidential information to an entity (business or individual) that doesn’t otherwise have access to your …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Every year, just like the swallows returning to the old mission at San Juan Capistrano, in the late summer and early fall Publishers Clearing House deluges consumers with TV ads and email spam attempting to lure them into entering their sweepstakes.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Debts and liens are not the same! This week I had a consumer call me with a real problem. The consumer had gone through filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, then tried selling their home to cash out the equity and start over.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
A local business got a decent-sized order for its product from a company in a Middle Eastern country. The name of the country is not important. What IS important is that orders from any foreign country, particularly if your firm hasn’t done business with the company, should cause you to …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Some “lots” of a commonly prescribed medicine, effective in treating high blood pressure, are being recalled by the FDA. This recall is for the drug Hydrochorothiazide, in 12.5 mg tablets.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
I’ve had more than 40 calls this week from consumers who have received calls — some robo calls and some in person — from individuals claiming to be from various agencies of the federal government. These people are attempting to scare the daylights out of you, causing you to panic …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Just this week, I have received an unusually large number of reports of bank account hacking and fraud. In that most of our transactions are electronic, it often happens before you know it.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
In the past, a bunch of U.S.-produced meat was routinely shipped overseas to hungry markets. With the advent of current trade wars, that meat can only be sold to U.S. consumers. For example, China has slapped a 25 percent tariff on U.S. pork, and Mexico has applied a 20 percent …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
