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HUD's Half Billion to Cal. Funds Local Gov't Purchase, Rehab of Foreclosed Homes

Under the program, governments can demolish or rehabilitate blighted homes, then either resell them or use them for affordable housing.

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Asinine - WaMu CEO Gets $18 Million In 18 Days - Bank Fails

Alan Fishman might want to leave his brief tenure as the new WaMu CEO off his resume. Hired September 7, Fishman oversaw the biggest bank failure ever when federal regulators seized WaMu on September 25.

Not to worry, Fishman stands to get $18 million for less than three weeks at the helm.

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Power Net Global Customers charged for switch to Williams Communications

Power Net Global (PNG) customers have reported to UCAN that their local AT&T bills were charged a switching fee from Quest long distance to Williams Communications long distance.  PNG maintained that customers received notice of this change.  UCAN did not find any members who had ever seen the notice to switch from Quest to Williams.  So, what should customers do if they see these charges by Williams Communications?  Immediately call PNG at 1-877-599-3095 or 1-800-860-9495 and request your credit in the amount of $3.31 for per account.  Make sure you have your AT&T local bill ready to fax to PNG to prove you were charged the switching fee, if asked. NOTE:  The number that was posted previously in this blog and that was given to UCAN by PNG (1-877-441-6096) is no longer a working number.  UCAN was not notified of this change by PNG.  Fortunately, a UCAN member called to notify us about the non-working #.

UCAN advice to cancel AT&T services for deceased parents

UCAN is distressed at calls from relatives of AT&T customers trying to cancel service for deceased parents.  And when we say "trying", that's exactly what is meant both literally and figuratively.  Without the account passwords, cancellation of service for deceased persons is almost impossible.  A FierceTelecom article written by Doug Mohney summed up the problem and provided two examples showing consumers in two states are not happy with these AT&T billing and cancellation practices.  Read More.

Free Gas and Free Cars

But only for state law lawmakers. While Californians struggle to pay record prices at the pump, we get the distinct honor of paying for our Legislators' gasoline purchases without any oversight. Read about this absurd perk at AP Exclusive: Gas cards give Calif. Leg. free ride.

New 442 Area Code to Invade North San Diego County - What About 760 ?

The 442 area code is invading North (San Diego) County. Can it be stopped from wiping out 760? The PUC has the final say, but you can e-mail the PUC to demand an overlay so you keep your current 760 area code. The options are:

1. 760 / 442 Overlay - You keep the 760 area code for your current number and get 442 area code for new numbers.

2. Split - You get 442 as your new area code.

E-mail the PUC at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov demanding implementation of the overlay and read more at Keep760.org for details on why the overlay is better for North County residents and businesses.

Edison Caught Lying Again - Penalized $146 Million

It was beyond outrageous when Southern California Edison's managment and employees provided rigged customer satisfaction survey data to the PUC in a scheme designed to swindle millions of dollars in Performance Based Ratemaking (PBR) customer satisfaction rewards from 1997-2003.

Edison admitted the scam after being turned in to the PUC by a whistleblower.

On September 18, 2008, the PUC penalized Edison $146 million for its outrageous conduct.

UCAN says telephone company deregulation will raise rates

UCAN agrees with other consumer groups that the lengthy AT&T contract received by most residential customers was a shot in the arm alarm announcing price increases were coming and that we should be prepared for a raise in basic local telephone service.  Well, Thursday on 9/18/08, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved price hikes of up to $3.25 per month on land line phones for next year through 2010.   

AT&T's New Residential Service Agreement - Get Ready to Read the Terms, But Only If You Have Internet Access and Plenty of Time

Several UCAN members have contacted us about AT&T's new 16-page Residential Service Agreement which is accompanied by a notice that begins, "Enclosed is the new AT&T Residential Service Agreement for residential services provided by AT&T. Please read it carefully."

Go with FLOW (For the Love of Water)


Our collective love affair with oil pales in comparison with our love affair with water, as the just-released documentary 'FLOW - For the Love of Water' shows us in a direct and disturbing fashion...



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