Buyer Beware | ecoXplorer

Avoid Gulf Coast Oil Spill Charity Frauds

The good guys are volunteering and working overtime to undo the damage of the BP oil spill, the worst environmental disaster US history. Beware of frauds. The bad guys are out there scamming instead of skimming.

Job Scams — One fraud is asking you to pay up front for a job helping clean up the mess. Jobs available directly with BP are posted on BP’s website. For jobs through the state, such as Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, you can visit the states’ own job websites. If you have been recruited by a company that claims to have a contract with BP, The Better Business Bureau recommends that you research the business fully and try to confirm with BP that they are a legitimate employer for the oil spill clean up. Simply — be wary of companies that require you to pay an upfront fee.

Claim Scam: The FTC warns against phony adjusters who ask for fees to expedite services. The toll-free BP claims line is 1-800-440-0858. The line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or you can file a claim online through BP’s website. Additionally, there are many claims offices along the Gulf Coast. More information is available through the Deepwater Horizon Response website and on BP’s website.

Charity frauds — It always happens. After any disaster, the creeps come out of the woodwork to take advantage by setting up phony charities, including with names that sound like — oh, so close — to legitimate, reputable charities. Before you give, check with charity watchdogs like Charity Navigator and The Better Business Bureau. Here is a list of charities that meet BBB Wise Giving standards and are working in the Gulf Coast to help the people, the wildlife and the land itself.

You certainly can find a charity you like on this A-List of good guys — on the next page.

Avoiding Garth Brooks Concert Ticket Scams

Entertainer Garth Brooks has been performing to sold-out crowds and rave reviews in Las Vegas. His performances at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas are so popular that tickets are now on sale for dates through Thanksgiving 2010. Depending on how you look at it, new ticket buying rules from the Wynn will protect Garth Brooks fans from buying counterfeit tickets and from paying two or three times the ticket price from unauthorized brokers. Or, the new ticket buying rules are so restrictive that they will discourage Garth Brooks Fans.

American Airlines Adds Yet More Ticket Fees

As I’ve said before, airlines are working overtime to come up with new ways to increase ticket prices without actually raising the cost of the actual airline ticket. Here’s the latest scheme to increase the cost of your travel experience, from American Airlines –

Pay extra and you can board first, with Group One. [...]

Most Stolen Cars in USA

1994 Honda Accord is most-stolen vehicle

An estimated 2,650 cars are stolen each and every day in the USA. That equals about one car, SUV, minivan or pick-up truck stolen every 33 seconds. So, in the time it takes you to read this article, two vehicles could have been stolen. Or three, depending on how quickly you read.

It’s [...]

New American Airlines Ticket Fees

American Airlines has figured out a new way to squeeze more money out of its passengers. The second-largest airline in the USA is now charging non-premium passengers $50 to stand by for a different flight. But they are not alone — Delta and Continental already are doing it.

According to Travel Babel, United does not charge for stand-by, but does charge up to $75 extra to book a specific seat — like maybe the one next to your three-year-old. British Airways charges $35 to book a seat on-line at the same time you book your ticket, according to a friend of mine who just complained to me about exactly that. She decided to wait until she gets to the airport, where she be ticketed into a seat for free.

American Airlines told the Associated Press the new stand-by fee is ”to streamline the departure process at the gate.” But the real effect is to add just one more hidden charge to the cost of an economy airine ticket, and make it that much more difficult to comparison shop for the best airfares.

Over-Priced Travel Gear to Avoid

GlamBags cost 5x more than ordinary Ziplocs

We all look for airfare bargains, hotel discounts, and the best car rental deals when we travel. So why would you waste money on travel gear or gadgets that just look pretty?

Why would you buy 18 decorated zip-close plastic bags for $9.95 when many airport security gates give them away for free, and when you can buy a box of 25 at the supermarket for around $3?

GlamBags advertises itself as “the very first collection of recyclable designer travel bags”. Would you pay five times the supermarket price for a pretty design on your travel-size baggie? I wouldn’t.

TSA rules for carry-on liquids are quite clear: nothing larger than three ounces, and it all has to fit in one see-through plastic bag. Some affordable alternatives that are not glamourous, but are functional and affordable are on the next page:

Haiti Earthquake Charity Fraud Warning

Haiti earthquake victim

The horror of the devestating earthquake in Haiti is beyond belief. So are the creeps taking advantage of our willingness to help by launching scam Haiti charities.

CBS News is reporting that links on Google posing as Haitian charities are really links to malicious software sites that may steal your identity or turn your computer into a robot for sending spam. CBS News also reports fake charities began popping up on Craigslist within hours after the 7.0 earthquake on Tuesday, January 12th.

The FBI warns about phony emails asking for money, which also could contain malicious virus programs or link to phishing websites. And I am warning you to be careful of fake charities whose name sounds oh, so close to a legitimate one

Give to well-known charities, or to your local religious group. If in doubt, check Charity Navigator, a non-profit watchdog site that rates charities for their honesty, reliability and perfomance.

These charities are legitimate — and need your donations — and all have the four-star top rating from Charity Navigator –

American Red Cross
UNICEF
Doctors Without Borders, whose three hospitals in Haiti were destroyed, and many of their doctors are feared lost in the collapsed buildings
World Vision
AmericCares
Hope for Haiti
Water Missions, which provides drinkable water for poor communities around the world
CARE

Another absolutely legitimate charity the new Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund, supported by three U. S. Presidents — Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush. Here is the VIDEO of the appeal by former presidents Clinton and Bush for your support:

Hotel Parking Valet Abuses Cars (video)

Wonder no more about what happens to your car after you hand the keys to the valet. This video proves valets like to drive your car even more than you do. It’s scary, and funny, and a good reason to tip well so the valet will treat your four wheels more kindly than here:

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