Halloween has passed but zombies linger
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
Yo ho ho! Mess with scam callers
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
Don't take the Craigslist bait
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
Vote for your favorite scam
Scam artists are using the phone to prey on prospective Idaho voters.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Medicare problems? Just call Joe
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
Come on now, folks: Stay off Suckers List
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, 7 MONTHS AGO
You're a winner! (No, you aren't)
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, 7 MONTHS AGO
When financial pressure squeezes your brain
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
Small businesses make big targets
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
Getting sick over prescription recalls
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
Area under scam assault with false arrest calls
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, 8 MONTHS AGO
Holy sheet! Don't pay fees up front
Upfront fees? Never! That’s my rule.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Beware charity auction items with strings
People in our area are truly generous. A consumer called me with a sad story. It made me angry as I listened to him.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Take this tip to the bank
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
Low-cost meat is good; robot, less appetizing
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, 9 MONTHS AGO
Psst: That's not Amazon with a $100 cash present
There’s an email going around the internet like a rash. In big splashy “Amazon” colors and copied fonts it announces that you have won a $100 gift certificate because you are a “good and faithful” customer. All you need to do is take a short three-question survey.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Buckle up for ID changes
New TSA rules mean some travelers will need to change the form of ID they are using before they hop on a plane. I have always shown my driver’s license, but beginning Oct. 1, 2020, you’ll need a passport or a Global Entry card (https://bit.ly/2vUH8qR), an enhanced driver’s license or …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Trust can land you in some hot water
A service person agreed to fix a consumer’s hot tub. The guy never showed up. I tried to contact him and he ignored me. It’s pretty obvious that our economy is zooming along, but there are some downsides to a great economy. One is the availability and reliability of competent …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Words from the wise
My good friend Dennis Edelbrock sent me the following update on how to remove the dreaded and bogus Microsoft pop-up scam program. I routinely get one to five calls per day from consumers about pop-ups. The following is great information. Cut it out and tape it next to your computer:
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Insurance odds are stacked against you
Last week a middle-aged consumer, a husband and a father of three young children, called me to complain that he could not get life insurance. As the story unfolded, last year he noticed an unusual bump and discoloration on his wrist. Being a smart person, he immediately called his family …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
The contract always wins
A couple called me about a moving experience.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Sickness, serious charges and a writer's apology
In Monday’s column I suggested that people who were not “wheelchair-bound” (this is a key word, necessary to understanding my advice) consider using a wheelchair in their transit through airports. There are many, like me, who are not “wheelchair-bound” but find it difficult or often impossible to stand for long …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Digital switch sends some Spectrum heads spinning
This week I’ve had a number of calls about Spectrum and its recent move to digital. I’ve included a link below to a very well-written article in the Cd’A Press by Brian Walker. One of the reasons I say it’s a very well-written article is that corporate representatives of Spectrum …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Pull the plug on robocalls
“I’m mad as hell, and not going to take this anymore!”
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Routing your info right to Russia
You’d better read this if you have email or occasionally “get on” the Internet, because you probably have a router.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Hard questions for vigilant consumers
There seems to be recent resurgence of very aggressive, itinerant door-to-door sales people in our area. (Why don’t these people show up in the middle of a North Idaho winter?) So far this year, it seems to be limited to roving bands of 20-somethings hawking satellite and cable television services. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Here's how the VA binds offers of helping hands
Thinking about helping a vet with a VA claim? Think again. You may be breaking the law.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Flying pets, CBD and mysterious callers
FLYING PETS: There has been much about the deaths of pets on board commercial airline flights. United Airlines has been involved in a number of these unfortunate incidents. United has just come out with a total ban on transporting certain types of pets. It turns out, after much study, that …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Let us look at lettuce
The Cd’A Press as well as other print and electronic media outlets have done a good job alerting us to the E. coli hazard connected with eating romaine lettuce. Unfortunately, not everyone always listens carefully to the news or reads all the information in print media.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 6 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
No headline
Not all door-to-door sales people are scammers. As the weather improves, so do the conditions under which door-to-door salespeople work. Many offer services and products which are both a convenience and benefit to consumers. Here are a couple of very simple rules:
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
Smile! That teeth-whitening offer might be a scam
An employee of a local grocery store called me with a story I found hard to believe. It seems that a woman wearing scrubs, the clothing that staffs of doctors and dentists sometimes wear, was wandering around the food store, selling teeth whitening services. The reported offer was to sell …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
A good answering machine can prevent big headaches
Consumers are always calling me with scams. Many start out like this: “I got a new one for you Bill …”
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
That 'Census Bureau' letter does smell kind of fishy
Many consumers in our area have been receiving letters purporting to be from the U.S. Census Bureau. Unfortunately, the letters request that you provide personal information, including your name, full address AND Social Security number. I have called the telephone number listed on these letters and I either get a …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
Scammers don't give up easily
One reader got a number of calls purporting to be from his Visa card company. The fake company, and would be scammer, called the cardholder early on a Saturday morning, informing him that a suspicious charge was made to his Visa card from a location in India. He immediately went …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
Sky's the limit on credit card interest
Credit card debt is one of the worst kinds of debt to have. Interest rates can be astronomical. It used to be that the “thumb breakers” on the street corner were the only ones loaning money and charging outrageous interest rates. The U.S. had laws against usury. No more. The …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS AGO
What you need to know about Medicare cards
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 requires that all Medicare recipients get a replacement Medicare card in 2018. One of the main reasons for this is your security. The card will no longer openly reference your Social Security number or any health information.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Spring ushers in birds, bees and scammers
With warm weather come tourists, and with them come the scammers and crooks masquerading as tourists.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
If you feel a 'draft,' time to take shelter
There’s a new scam on a big upsurge in our area. It’s called the “bank draft” scam.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Stubborn is a good ass-et for this mule
A concerned grandmother called me this week asking if I’d heard of a company called Air Mule. Her adult grandchildren are about to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime backpacking trip to Europe and beyond.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Under pressure, gross meals might emerge
One of the latest culinary fades is the use of pressure cookers. Fifty years ago, pressure cookers were replaced by microwave ovens. Now the circle is complete: The marrying of pressure cooking and computers has given rise to the electric, computerized pressure cooker, complete with touch screen controls and pre-programmed …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Friends and foes of Sears assault Bill's eyes, ears
We have a GREAT consumer community here. By the end of the day Monday, I had received more than 30 calls from consumers telling me about their experiences with Sears warranty services, some very good, and some very bad. Many consumers who were happy with Sears provided me with various …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Hotel room safes aren't always
A consumer told me this week that his wallet and other possessions were stolen from his hotel room safe. He was at one of the casinos here in the western U.S. For the sake of the reputation of the hotel/casino, I won’t offer any more specific information than that.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Dear John: Take that phone and shove it
WHEN A COMMUNITY FIGHTS BACK: Last Friday morning at 8:05 I got a call from a telephone number identified as “No Caller ID.” Unfortunately, I was at a breakfast meeting and did not have my trusty digital recorder at the ready. The caller, in a thick Jamaican accent, asked me …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Feel young again - or maybe dead
A consumer called me last week asking about an ad they saw for testosterone supplements. Print media, radio and TV advertising are filled with messages aimed at men, promising renewed health, bigger muscles and increased sexual performance.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Contract alert: Read fine print - on both sides
In past columns I have stressed how important it is that consumers thoroughly read any contract they sign. This last week I had a consumer come to me with a problem they were having with a vacuum cleaner company that sells its wares door-to-door and by referrals.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Tax time approacheth, and so do scammers
Anytime consumers are asked for their personal information, Social Security number, date of birth, etc., is a time for special awareness. Never sign a blank return and always guard your personal information. Also never prepay a tax preparer up front. Get an estimate. Don’t wait until the last minute and …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Kindness does count
STARTING THE NEW YEAR ASHAMED: Ashamed probably isn’t the right word to use. “Humbled” is better, much more descriptive and accurate. It’s New Year’s Day 2018 and I’m writing my column for this coming Thursday. Early this morning, one of my regular readers called and left a message. She is …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Here's why credit trumps debit almost every time
A very savvy, sharp-eyed reader of this column called me and told me that according to Dave Ramsey, a well known personal finance guru, the consumer who uses a debit card has the same protection as a consumer who uses a credit card to make a purchase. We talked for …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Hang onto these scam-bustin' tips
I’ve been writing this column for just shy of one year. The following rules are my prescription for avoiding most scams. Here are the most valuable lessons we’ve learned together. This section of this column is worth cutting out and taping beside your phone or on your desk.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
That big cashier's check is really no gift at all
The old Mystery Shopper scam is going around our area. It comes and goes but this one has a new twist. It’s specifically timed for Christmas, when many are feeling the need for a little more cash to buy gifts or pay credit card bills.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Amazon: More than a river
Amazon is not just a river in South America. It turns out it’s also a major target for thieves and scammers.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
New scam targets pizza delivery app
My “new and improved” website works! It can be found at www.billbrooksconsumeradvocate.com. I’ve had to change my handle from The CDA Press Consumer Guy to Bill Brooks, Consumer Advocate. It turns out that some guy back east claims he trademarked “Consumer Guy.” Apparently he believes that his couple of readers …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Consumer vigilance paying off
I’ve been writing this column for almost a year now — in the beginning only once a week, and now twice each week. I need to tell my readers how absolutely rewarding it is to be part of this effort.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Monopoly alert: Complain now, not when it's too late
A small company called AT&T is trying to do everything it can to get its hands on another small company called Time Warner Inc.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 7 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Spectrum customers pile on complaints
Our new internet service provider, Spectrum (Charter Communications), the company that “merged” with Time Warner’s local cable, has come under increasing fire lately. Many consumers have been calling me about poor customer service, very slow and/or inconsistent internet speeds, higher monthly prices and no printed material available to consumers regarding …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Consumer Guy: Airline nearly strands 13-year-old
If you’ve been grounded by an obscure or confusing airline policy, you’re not alone.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
To scan or not to scan; better ask your doctor
Imagine a medical procedure that costs less than $200, is painless and can tell if you have a tumor anywhere in your body, or a possible deadly swelling, narrowing or other internal abnormality.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
No, that's NOT the IRS calling
“This is the IRS calling.”
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
CDA PRESS CONSUMER GUY: Big pay promises and nasty meat
Here's an interesting consumer complaint I received this week. This is an old online scheme that comes around again and again disguised differently.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 8 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Opinion: The (sad) state of VA healthcare
As a service-connected disabled veteran, a former hospital administrator, and a cancer survivor, I feel uniquely qualified to offer an informed opinion about the state of the Veterans Administration healthcare system. In addition to the above, I have spent approximately two months in three different VA hospitals during the last …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
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