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More than 40 angry consumers, many elderly and disabled, packed the U.S. Trustee's hearing room for a Jan. 26th bankruptcy hearing. They peppered Mike Chavez, owner of the now-bankrupt Best Windows and Doors, with questions about non-existent NERF rebates, unfinished and unstarted jobs, unpaid subcontractors, mechanic's liens, questionable financing and undisclosed assets. Two Contractors' State License Board representatives attending the hearing told the consumers and Trustee that CSLB is investigating Best Windows and encouraged consumers to file complaints with CSLB and the District Attorney.
San Diego 6 News story at http://www.sandiego6.com/
The so-called "Professional Blogging Team" at "The Personal Money Store" is up to some very sneaky tricks. Not only are they involved in predatory loans to poor people, but they are using predatory blogging in an effort to make it look as though they enjoy the support of consumer groups like UCAN. More.
2008: Tax Reassessment Letter Hits San Diego and UCAN wanted you to be aware: Have you been contacted by a company that is offering to reassess property value for a fee. The company is sending out notices saying property owners could get their property tax reduced due to a decline in the housing market. Consumers should be aware that the county will reassess your property for free. Have you been contacted by this company and/or received a letter?
2008: Tax Reassessment Letter Hits San Diego and UCAN wanted you to be aware: Have you been contacted by a company that is offering to reassess property value for a fee. The company is sending out notices saying property owners could get their property tax reduced due to a decline in the housing market. Consumers should be aware that the county will reassess your property for free. Have you been contacted by this company and/or received a letter?
CONTACT FEDEX OR UPS COURIER SERVICES IS THE NEW NIGERIAN SCAM. If you get an email like the one below or a phone call telling you there's money waiting to be delivered to you by UPS, Fed Ex or other delivery services, DON'T RESPOND TO THE EMAIL AND HANG UP ON ANYONE CALLING YOU to say money is waiting for you and shall be delivered C.O.D. "today". Part of the trick is to get you to agree to provide your full name, address, bank name, social security number or any other personal information. UCAN received one call last Friday and I received two emails today. In addition, two of our seniors called UCAN to report that they received calls stating UPS was trying to deliver money or checks to them via cash on delivery or C.O.D.
Recently I had to "choose" a broadband Internet provider. After having my "choices" narrowed down for me by a serious lack of competition ( I hear U-Verse is on its way some day), I went with my first, last, and only choice, Time Warner. Despite feeling trapped, the Time Warner customer service rep wooed me with promises of a new broadband paradigm, Roadrunner "turbo." For some reason this "15 Mbps down, 2 Mbps" up Internet was cheaper than the default 8 Mbps/ 1 Mbps option of yesteryear, so I pounced on the deal like a caged tiger given extra scraps of meat at dinner.
The moral of this story is to check the bandwidth you're getting from your broadband Internet provider.
National Dealers Warranty FINAL NOTICE scam letters are sent to unsuspecting consumers with Customer ID #s to make people believe they already have a 5-year. 100,000 mile extended warranty on their cars. Victims are lead to believe that they are getting an employee discount price if they renew within 48 hours.
Locksmith scams -- Why you need to make sure you use a licensed locksmith.
Skype Pro Customers who signed up for 12 months of unlimited service at $36 seem to be running into some problems and hidden gotchas with Skype.
Consumers who bought the cold remedy Airborne, and related products, between May 1, 2001, and November 29, 2007, can get their money back. Simply visit airbornesettlement.com to make your claim, I just did, and I'll give an update on the results. You can file a complaint online or print and send a claim form, but you'll want to rack your brain and try to remember...
1. The store from which you bought the product(s),
2. The amount you spent on the product(s).
3. The city in which you bought the product.
4. The type of product you bought
Utility Consumers' Action Network
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UCAN.org is made available by the Utility Consumers' Action Network to assist you in becoming what you always knew you could be, a consumer ROCK STAR! We take no corporate money, and are beholden only to you, the consumer. As such, the site is here for educational, advocacy, and empowerment purposes, as well to to give you general information and a general understanding of the law. Just remember this site is NOT here to provide specific legal advice. By using this web site you of course understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Web Site publisher, UCAN. The Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
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UCAN's affiliate New Media Rights is hosting a discussion forum on the future of media and journalism in San Diego. Join in on the discussion now!
How to protect your own blog or website from liability for user generated content
Is Youtube putting advertisements on user videos without permission?
Essential free and open software toolkit for consumers
How to find free music, images, and video you can use or remix in your own creative works
How to Listen to Music on the Internet for Free...Legally
How to make a Podcast... for free
Visit NewMediaRights.org
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What are you packin? Is it anything like UCAN's new and improved Consumer Complaint Directory? If not, you should really pick up a copy. This thing is chock-full of hard-hitting consumer punch.
