DomainUSA aka Domain Name USA website registration scam
UCAN recently received a complaint that gives us reason to believe a company known as DomainUSA, or Domain Name USA, is attempting to scam consumers. Here's how it works: DomainUSA sends a website owner a bill to renew the domain name registration on the site. DomainUSA makes it appear that due to a merger, you must now register through them. The problem is that DomainUSA has nothing to do with your domain name, in fact, they don't even register domain names. Domain USA provides domain name SEARCH ENGINE registration. Of course, many places are willing to submit your domain to search engines for FREE. If you receive a letter from DomainUSA, DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY, it is a scam. Read more. Also, you can comment below if you receive anything similar.
North American Clearing Services fraudulent check scam
One of our senior UCAN members received a letter form North American Clearing Services in Canada stating she won a sweepstakes prize of $50,000. In addition to the letter was a check that looks real and is NOT. The scam artists used the Mellon United National Bank in Florida, State Farm Insurance name and logo and an agent of State Farm in Miami without the permission or knowledge of these companies. The UCAN member received the fraudulent check in the amount of $2775.26. State Farm Corporate and Mellon Bank are aware of the fraud and have notified the appropriate authorities.
If you receive a check like this for a sweepstakes or other prize, do not cash it. It is a scam!
Click on the images below to see the fake check and fraudulent letter for yourself, and remember to fill out our complaint form if you receive anything similar.
Comparison shop on Krillion for refrigerators, dishwashers, and more
If you are in the market for a major home appliance like a refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/dryer, or oven, then you will want to take a look at Krillion.com. Krillion allows users to select an appliance and view price information from local retailers. The system is not perfect, some outlet stores are not listed for example, but it is a great place to start.
Why now might be the best time to buy a hybrid car
Just a year or two ago, consumers were paying premiums of thousands of dollars and ignoring desired options to simply purchase a hybrid car. Today, manufacturers of fuel-efficient hybrid cars are giving big incentives, including low interest financing options and price discounts, to sell the hybrids. Coupled with federal tax incentives, if you've been interested in better insulating yourself from fluctuating gas prices by buying a hybrid, the time might be right. Read this post to find out why.
Stop paying for directory assistance, really, just stop it
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, never pay for directory assistance again...well, as long as these companies stay in business, so take advantage of it while you can. 1-800-Free411 and 1-800-411Save both offer entirely free directory assistance services. How? Advertising, of course. But don't worry, the ads are only around 10 seconds long and both services operate fast and efficiently. Sitting through 10 seconds of ads will feel like steal when you consider that directory assistance can cost $1.50-$3.50 through wireless and long distance providers.
AT&T, arguably the world's worst phone company, is offering stand-alone DSL
Finally, under orders from the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), AT&T is offering stand-alone broadband service ($20 a mo.) to people who don't want to pay AT&T's ridiculous bundled rates. But as this article from the San Francisco Chronicle shows, consumer advocates, including UCAN's Michael Shames, are underwhelmed by AT&T's latest effort.
The Fraud Squad Network
Need help resolving a dispute with a company? Get individualized help with your dispute from the Fraud Squad by using our Online Complaint Forms. Once you've filled out a complaint, call the Fraud Squad Hotline at (619) 696-6966!
UCAN's Money Saving Tips Forum
Share your favorite tips and see some of the UCAN Staff's money saving secrets
Michael Gets All Wet & Fishy.....But Creates an Aquaponic Miracle
Miracles don't happen often enough in our world. But when Michael starts growing his own fish and food in his garage, then you know that there's some divine intervention because Michael doesn't fish and he's got a brown thumb that makes all leafy things tremble. So how did Advocate Michael become Farmer Michael? One word: AQUAPONICS.
DUH-REGULATION: How regulatory recklessness led to the 21st Century's first economic meltdown
Consider this fact. Any child under the age of 18 is prohibited from gambling in a casino in most states. Yet, that same 17 year old can trade in derivative securities with absolutely no prohibitions. What is the difference between casino gambling and derivative training? Well, for one, gambling risks are more readily calculable. Secondly, gambling is regulated by individual states. But derivative trading is exclusively controlled by federal regulators. And those regulators have very little interest in regulating. Why is this important? Because history will likely show that these disinterested regulators contributed mightily to the financial market freezeout that is pushing the world economy into the most serious economic recession in generations.
It is important that Americans know what really caused the financial cataclysm. Decisions will be made in 2009 based upon what policy makers decide are the root causes of the financial crises that plague our economy. Knowing the causes are critical to determining the correct fixes. As will be explained below, the credit markets' unfettered efforts to keep Americans spending will likely prove to be the primary culprit behind the current credit collapse.
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