Solar Scams: More elderly victims emerge from Best Windows bankruptcy
KFMB NEWS: Best Windows and Doors has already made a name for itself selling worthless "NERF" Home Improvement rebates to unsuspecting seniors, but now reports are surfacing of deceptive dealings with costly solar panels. Best Windows and Doors latest victim? An 82-year old woman. Full Story.
New Web sites help homeowners with mortgage woes
Tired of bailouts to big irresponsible banks? How about bailing out a few consumers? If you are a troubled but somewhat responsible homeowner who needs help with a mortgage, you may qualify for your very own Big Government Bailout! MORE.
Study shows many customers pay way too much for "cheap" cell phone plans.
Los Angeles Times, David Lazarus - Coverage of the UCAN TeleTruth study of 700+ "deregulated" phone bills finds that the average cell phone bill costs about $3 a minute when you factor in all the hidden fees, taxes, and surcharges. Full story.
"Tax Reassessment Scam Hits San Diego"
UCAN interviewed with Channel 10 news reporter Michael Chen regarding a new twist to the tax reassessment letters offering to lower your annual property taxes for a fee. The letters are very official looking and even include late fee penalties. As will be shown by Michael Chen, the service is free of charge through the San Diego County Assessor's office. Go to http://www.10news.com/video/18747844/ to see the entire story including an 82-year old victim who paid the requested $186.00 for a promised annual savings of over $600 on her property taxes. She hasn't heard from the company since she sent and received her canceled check showing it was deposited quickly.
Taxpayers paying billions for Medicare prescription overcharges
The badly flawed Medicare Part D prescription benefit is costing taxpayers billions in overcharges because Medicare has failed to do necessary audits. READ MORE
Best Windows and Doors Owner Mike Chavez Grilled By Angry Consumers at Bankruptcy Hearing
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/
State board handles home repair complaints, helps consumers evaluate contractors
Hiring a contractor for home improvements or repairs can be a tricky and expensive business and there are bad apples out there. If you've had a problem with a contractor, or just want to check one out before signing on the dotted line, you can go to the California State Contractors' License Board's (CSLB) Web site for help.
Fax Blasts - legal issues and why sending them might get you shot
How to ensure that your mass faxings are legal - and why you should consider NOT sending them
Big-time gambler? Like X-rated films? Don't use your credit card
We all love using those credit cards, but, CreditCards.com, and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) warn that how you use them is of great interest to your credit card companies. The data they collect on you may come back to haunt you. READ MORE
ATTN: Boomers - Now you can apply for Social Security online
As the first wave of millions of baby boomers looks to retirement, the Social Security Administration has launched an online application process for Social Security and Medicare that can be completed in about 15 minutes.
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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