Scammed? You're far from alone
In this column I try to provide readers good, useful and timely information. I also provide regular updates on recent cases and issues. Today we’ll revisit some recent subjects and explore new topics.
SCAMMED
Within the last week I have heard from more and more consumers who have reluctantly come forward, admitting to having been scammed. They were all embarrassed they had been taken advantage of. They felt ashamed that someone had cheated them out of money — sometimes only a little, sometimes a lot. Many suffered in silence. More than a few were seniors. I feel it is my duty to provide a safe forum for all consumers to call and talk to me about their experiences. I will try to help recover any money or property lost but I will always use their collective experiences to educate readers of the Coeur d’Alene Press and help them avoid similar mistakes. I will never name an individual who comes to me for help. The cheaters and the scammers are continuously working overtime to take advantage of honest, trusting people. Don’t be naive, but don’t ever be ashamed of being honest, open and trusting. LESSON: When in doubt — Check it out!
SPECTRUM
On another note — Spectrum continues to work on problems that customers are having. I’ve been contacted by a number of Spectrum customers who are very happy with their service and their rates. I also continue to be contacted by customers who are very unhappy. Fortunately, Spectrum/Charter Communications has been very responsive to customer problems when I forward them to their regional office.
VA
As far as the Veterans Administration is concerned, vets who love their VA health care as well as many who are very dissatisfied with the VA system have contacted me. After all, the Veterans Administration is a giant government bureaucracy, directly supervised by Congress (politicians), administered by civil servants, administrators, managers, and workers who are almost impossible to fire. What could go wrong? I am working on a six- or seven-part series on the Veterans Administration and how well it serves vets in our area. It won’t gloss over the problems but will not be a “hit piece” on the VA. My working title is “VA: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.” Please continue to contact me with your experiences — good and bad.
CHECKS
Cashier’s checks are not as safe as they used to be. Copying and printing technology has made it all too easy to counterfeit checks issued by banks. Before depositing or attempting to cash ANY bank check, contact the issuing bank by calling your bank and asking them to get you a telephone contact number for the bank named on the check. Don’t rely on the telephone number of the bank on the check. It too could be bogus. You’ll be calling the scammers to ask if the counterfeit bank check is authentic! Never sign over any title or deed in exchange for an unverified bank check. My advice is after verifying the bank check’s authenticity, deposit it and wait until it clears.
CALLS
Robo calls unfortunately are a modern-day nuisance. The best practice is, unless you recognize the caller’s number, let it go to voicemail. If you have an answering machine, use it to screen your calls by listening and pick up if you decide to take the call. Monitor your message and inform callers on your recorded message that you do not answer cold calls.
RV
I’m still working on the case in which an 82-year-old woman was high-pressured into buying a $72,000 RV shortly after her husband passed away. She was required to pay a $20,000 down payment. When I asked the sales manager why he thought an 82-year-old woman would buy a $72,000 RV, he said. “Maybe she wanted to RV around the country.” Absolutely shameful! Attorneys are involved now so I won’t say any more at this time. Can you imagine the jury’s reaction to the lawyer hammering this lady on the stand in a trial? I know what mine would be. This RV dealer better be careful.
FINE PRINT
One more tidbit: Be careful of ads on TV for goods and services that make promises in loud, flashy fashion and have a huge paragraph of disclaimers underneath in tiny illegible letters. The big letters on the screen are written by the marketing guys. The little illegible letters that are flashed up so fast you can’t read them are written by the lawyers.
I have many more interesting cases that I’m working on as the CDA Press Consumer Guy. Call me, (208) 449-7222, email me at CDAPressConsumerGuy
@gmail.com or fax me at (866) 362-9266. Also include your full name and a phone number. I am available to speak about consumerism to schools, and local and civic groups.
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Bill Brooks is the CDA Press Consumer Guy. He is an active Associate Real Estate Broker for Tomlinson-Sotheby’s International Realty in Coeur d’Alene.