Podcasts & Audio

A discussion with KVMR public radio on telecommunications billing and consumer protection laws

Northern California public radio station KVMR's Brian Bahouth discusses telecommunications billing with UCAN attorney Art Neill.

310 downloads 6 plays

PODCAST: Part 3 - Proposed legislation regarding mandatory arbitration agreements

PODCAST: This is Part 3 of a three part series of podcasts in which UCAN attorney Art Neill discusses arbitration with expert Linda Fritz, an adjunct professor at California Western School of Law for over 15 years who has arbitrated over 600 cases and mediated over 1000.

Look out for UCAN's guide to arbitration coming in the near future.

Ms. Fritz has a website at http://conflictresolution.com

934 downloads 24 plays

PODCAST: Part 2 - Cell phone contracts, mandatory arbitration agreements, and how they affect consumers

PODCAST: This is Part 2 of a three part series of podcasts in which UCAN attorney Art Neill discusses arbitration with expert Linda Fritz, an adjunct professor at California Western School of Law for over 15 years who has arbitrated over 600 cases and mediated over 1000.

Look out for UCAN's guide to arbitration coming in the near future.

Ms. Fritz has a website at http://conflictresolution.com

925 downloads 29 plays

PODCAST: Part 1 - The basics of Alternative Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, mediation and how they affect consumers

PODCAST: This is Part 1 of a three part series of podcasts in which UCAN attorney Art Neill discusses arbitration with expert Linda Fritz, an adjunct professor at California Western School of Law for over 15 years who has arbitrated over 600 cases and mediated over 1000.

Look out for UCAN's guide to arbitration coming in the near future.

Ms. Fritz has a website at http://conflictresolution.com

2244 downloads 37 plays

AUDIO: Drop in gas prices due to political pressure and less consumer demand

Listen to UCAN gas analyst Charles Langley's explanation for the current price of gas on KPBS.

975 downloads 19 plays

AUDIO: The price of oil is going up...why not the price of gasoline?

AUDIO: Listen to UCAN gas analyst Charles Langley discuss the reason behind the recent decline in gas prices with KCRW's Warren Olney

1040 downloads 31 plays

PODCAST: Mayor Sander's newest sewer and water rate increases

PODCAST: UCAN's Brandon Weiner attended Mayor Sander's sewer and water rate presentation at the Rancho Bernardo Library and spoke with Dr. Timothy Bertch, Director of Mertropolitan Wastewater. Join Brandon as he interviews Dr. Bertch and shares his thoughts on the rate proposal. Listen

1165 downloads 1365 plays

PODCAST: Michael Shames argues against SDG&E's Sunrise powerline

PODCAST: UCAN's Executive Director, Michael Shames, discusses why UCAN is opposed to SDG&E Sunrise powerline with Brandon Weiner. Also, find out the role Governor Schwarzenegger and the current political climate plays in the potential construction of the powerline. Listen here.

1100 downloads 1793 plays

PODCAST: Michael Shames breaks down the SDG&E rate case

PODCAST: UCAN's Executive Director, Michael Shames, discusses the major issues involved in San Diego Gas and Electric's 2007 rate request with Brandon Weiner. If you have questions about your utility rates, or are interested in the future of energy usage in San Diego, then this podcast is a must listen. Music courtesy of wonder bunny.

1102 downloads 1243 plays

AUDIO: Officials debate the Sunrise Powerlink on KPBS

KPBS San Diego: Listen to Michael Shames debate Sunrise along with representatives from SDG&E, CALISO, and the CA State Parks Foundation.

1027 downloads 14 plays

AUDIO: Gas prices may rise come 4th of July

AUDIO: UCAN gas analyst Charles Langley tells KPBS San Diego that falling gas prices may soon rise. 

1167 downloads 20 plays

PODCAST: Netflix gift card subscriptions

PODCAST: Listen to UCAN legal intern Carter Knopke explain what he found concerning Netflix's questionable gift subscription practices to Brandon Weiner on the UCAN.org podcast. Listen here or read Carter's blog on Netflix here. Music by wonder bunny.

2711 downloads 1623 plays

AUDIO: How to cancel your cell phone contract interview with Art Neill on KNX 1070

UCAN staff attorney Art Neill talks with Bob McCormick of KNX 1070's Money 101 about cancelling your cell phone contract. Listen here.

3447 downloads 5093 plays

AUDIO: SDG&E alleged to have hid information in order to boost rates


KPBS San Diego: UCAN has filed a motion against San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), a subsidiary of Sempra Utilities, for unlawfully failing to disclose documents that include a major cost-cutting plan. It is not known how the previously undisclosed plan will affect SDG&E's proposed $1.5 billion rate increase. Listen here.

2436 downloads 1470 plays

AUDIO: UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames appears on KPBS' "These Days"

UCAN's Executive Director, Michael Shames, talks to KPBS "These Days" host Tom Fudge about the latest SDG&E rate increase, skyrocketing gas prices, and recent San Diego City Council decision to approve a controversial water and sewer rate hike.

5230 downloads 899 plays

AUDIO: Partnerships between competitors is bad for gas prices

A very brief radio story by Phil Farrar about how the cost of oil is the same as last year, but our gas prices are higher. Why? In part because California refineries have supply trading agreements with each other. These agreements keep gasoline away from the spot market which drives up the price.

1912 downloads 107 plays

AUDIO: UCAN gas and oil analyst Charles Langley on KOGO AM 600

UCAN's gas and oil expert, Charles Langley, talks to KOGO AM 600's Phil Farrar about rising gas prices throughout San Diego.

2446 downloads 136 plays

PODCAST: Victory for Low Income Consumers in California!

1756 downloads 244 plays

Videos

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!

The Hose Whisperer Teaches Water Conservation

Learn to conserve water, meet the hose whisperer!

Michael Shames' Sunrise Powerlink Argument CPUC

Part One
Part 2

Sprint Pioneer Customers Mischarged

Michael Shames' Solar Installation

Michael Shames' Solar Odyssey

Check for best gas prices at Fueltracker.com

UCAN Oil Hog 2008

Every year the UCAN Oil Hog makes an appearance in order to predict gas prices for the coming year. Unfortunately, piggy got quite upset this year. Normally, oil piggies are free to gouge consumers without fear of repercussions...but that all changes in election years. WATCH PIGGY DANCE

Michael Shames appears on the Dr. Phil show

Michael Shames makes an appearance on Dr. Phil to tell 75-yr-old Mona Shaw that instead of smashing up a Comcast office with a hammer, she could have found a consumer advocacy group like UCAN to resolve her issue. Watch here or read more about Mona Shaw's struggle with her phone service.

SDG&E Director of Distribution Caroline Winn questioned at the SDG&E rate setting hearings


Caroline Winn refuses to back up statements made in a report produced by her department in this entertaining clip from the rate setting hearings. Watch now.

Sempra Utilities CEO Debra Reed questioned at the SDG&E rate setting hearings, Part 4


Watch Part 4 of Debra Reed's testimony as the Sempra Utilities CEO shares her sense of entitlement with the world while responding to questions from UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames.

Sempra Utilities CEO Debra Reed questioned at the SDG&E rate setting hearings, Part 3

Watch Part 3 of Debra Reed's testimony as the Sempra Utilities CEO shares her sense of entitlement with the world while responding to questions from UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames.

Sempra Utilities CEO Debra Reed questioned at the SDG&E rate setting hearings, Part 2


Watch Part 2
of Debra Reed's testimony as the Sempra Utilities CEO shares her sense of entitlement with the world while responding to questions from UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames.

Sempra Utilities CEO Debra Reed questioned at the SDG&E rate setting hearings, Part 1



Watch Part 1
of Debra Reed's testimony as the Sempra Utilities CEO shares her sense of entitlement with the world while responding to questions from UCAN Executive Director Michael Shames.

City of San Diego's water and sewer rate presentation July 23, 2007

Watch San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders present, and defend, his sewer and water rate increase proposal. The 27min. video also includes a "public comments" session.

Sunrise hearings: Michael Shames cross examines SDG&E VP Jim Avery

Watch UCAN's Executive Director, Michael Shames, grill SDG&E VP Jim Avery in this excerpt of cross examination concerning energy derived from biomass.

SDG&E's Unbalanced Accounts

SDG&E wants to increase San Diego utility rates by $1.4 billion over the next six years. UCAN, along with three teams of auditors, have figures that suggest San Diego ratepayers should see a decrease. There is also evidence to suggest SDG&E has been "cooking the books" in addition to gaming the rate-setting process. Watch the UCAN press conference.

Special Agent 00K9 Introduces UCAN

Special Agent 00K9, UCAN's most Elite consumer advocate, introduces UCAN, drinks a martini, and slobbers alot. Learn more about UCAN and our expert staff in the About Us section.

Mobile Phone Plan Checker

This consumer uses the Mobile Phone Plan Checker to weed through wild sales pitches. See our guide to Misleading Advertising in Cellular Phone Sales for other helpful tips.

A Tiny Oversight

The fine print on your cell phone contract contains things you'd never expect! Make sure you're not caught off guard by checking out our guide to Reading the Fine Print.

A Call to Arms

A consumer finds it particularly difficult to deal with her wireless company's poor customer service. Make sure it doesn't happen to you by reading our guide to Dealing with Poor Customer Service.

Sunrise Powerlink - Extreme Debates!

Michael Shames debates SDG&E and reveals the shocking(pun, get it?) truth on the Sunrise Powerlink. Another EXTREME debate! For more info on UCAN's involvement and criticism of the Powerlink, see our Sunrise Powerlink Issue Center.

Meter Miss - EXTREME Debates!

SDG&E's proposal to change 700,000 San Diego energy meters gets scrutinized from the consumer's point of view. For an in-depth look at SDG&E's proposal, check out our Advanced Metering Initiative Issue Center.

Underdog Michael Shames vs. Big Oil Hog

UCAN's "Guzzler Buster" helps Underdog Michael Shames, aka the "World's Greatest Consumer," fight back against The Big Oil Hog, aka the "bloated oil company taking excessive profits at the expense of consumers." Read our Gas Saving Tips and fight the gouge.

Oil Hog Day 2006

This little piggy went to the gas station and saw his shadow as well as big profits in his future. Don't let piggy get the best of you! Find Cheap Gas now.

Killer Bill Cramming

Is that a Ninja "cramming" those charges on your phone bill? No, actually it's the phone company and they may be doing it to you. Read our guide to Identify Cramming in Your Phone Bill.

VoIP Oddity

Jerry learns about Internet voice and video communications options from a pulsating red orb, too obvious? Either way, read up on this money-saving technology in our guide to Switching to VoIP.

Rebel Cell!

Jerry finds it tough having to deal with someone else's used phone. Make sure you know your options when Replacing Faulty Equipment




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