Archive | Consumer Tips

In the technology age it seems that in-person scams have become almost unheard of. But recently, there have been reports of scammers going door-to-door tricking homeowners into inviting unwanted guests into their home. Specifically in Woodland Park, scammers are posing as utility workers claiming to check the water pressure. Many solicitors are legitimate salespeople, and […]

Passwords are used for for nearly everything – banking, email, social media, shopping sites, paying bills – the list is endless.They unlock the world at the push of button. Some estimates say the average person has about 30 accounts requiring a password, so having a good password is vital to protecting your information. It is your first line of […]

For many people, it is not difficult to forget about a bank account they have not used in years or misplaced their state income tax check. This money does not simply disappear but is given to the state to hold on to after a certain amount of time has passed. New Jersey has an Unclaimed […]

Hurricane Harvey has become the most devastating natural distaster in history.  Estimates put the total cost of damage at $160 billion.  Unfortunately, natural disasters prompt charity fraud and scams to prey on the goodwill of those trying to help. If you are looking to make a donation to a charity there are a few key […]

When life gives you lemons, you’re supposed to make lemonade… but it’s a different story when the Lemon is your car. A “Lemon” is a motor vehicle that has or develops defects that remain unresolved, or a vehicle that repeatedly fails to meet standards of quality and performance. The defect must substantially impair the use, value or safety of […]

Between the months of July 2009 and March 2014, if you received a pre-recorded telemarketing call from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines about a free cruise you may be eligible for up to $900 in compensation. These pre-recorded calls sent by a company hired by these cruise lines to promote business were a violation […]

A new scam has been discovered in the North Jersey area. The scammers have been targeting residents and stating that their tax bill has not been paid. At that point, the caller will say that the problem can be solved if the resident gives their credit card information. For most residents, when there is any […]

A new study shows 53 percent of children and teens charge their cellphones and tablets under a bed or pillow. This can cause a high risk of fires. Officials warned that leaving your device in these locations could be extremely dangerous because the heat generated from the charger cannot dissipate. Therefore, the charger can overheat […]

If your frequently drive in New York – your toll bill may be higher than you thought. New York / New Jersey crossings operated by MTA offer an EZPass discount – but only if it was issued by a New York agency.  If your EZPass was issued by the NJTA or the SJTA, you are charged the […]

Like many others, I recently received a spam call  falsely claiming that the US federal government was taking legal action against me. Here is a transcript of the call: “CH796216 The purpose of this call is regarding an enforcement action which has been executed by the U.S. Treasury Department regarding tax fraud against your name. […]