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OVERDRAFT FEES REMAIN COSTLY – HERE’S HOW TO AVOID THEM – The average overdraft fee is nearly $27, according to Bankrate, and 94% of the account options studied still charge a fee when a balance is negative.
HOTEL SMOKING SENSORS FALSELY CHARGE HUNDREDS IN FEES – Many hotels use sensors to detect smoking or vaping in non-smoking rooms. When triggered, guests are charged steep cleaning fees. But unhappy customers claim these detectors are not accurate.
Consumerpedia, Episode 110: MARKETERS OFTEN USE CULT-LIKE TACTICS – Digital media expert Mara Einstein explains why she believes marketers often use the same tactics as cult leaders to entice new customers and keep current ones.
ODOMETER FRAUD: A GROWING CONCERN FOR USED CAR BUYERS – Digital dashboards should have reduced odometer fraud. But criminals have adapted, and their ability to alter a vehicle’s mileage display remains a serious and growing concern for used car buyers.
Consumerpedia, Episode 109: TRAVEL TROUBLES: NEW ‘GOTCHA FEES’ – Hotels, airlines, and rental car companies are using technology to create new “gotchas” for travelers. In this episode, we discuss the new fees and how you can protect yourself.
DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS – Get a call from someone claiming to be a debt collector, and it’s easy to panic. Is the caller a legit or a scammer? It’s important to know the rules and your rights.
TRAVEL TROUBLES: THE HIGH COST OF FLYING – How to deal with the most unpredictable summer travel season since the pandemic. Tips to deal with higher airfares, steeper fees, and fewer flights.
Consumerpedia, Episode 108: THE TRAVEL SHOW 2026 – Responding to rising jet fuel prices, airlines around the globe are raising fares, adding fees, and cutting flights. In this episode, how airline passengers can handle the unique challenges facing them.
Consumerpedia, Episode 107: HOW TO CHOOSE A TREE CARE SERVICE – Do the trees on your property need more attention than you’ve been giving them? To keep your trees in good shape and remove any hazards, you’ll probably need professional advice and labor. Here’s how to find the right company to do the job.
Consumerpedia, Episode 106: AVOID A VACATION RENTAL NIGHTMARE – A recent Checkbook investigation found widespread problems with vacation rentals, including fake listings and stolen deposits. In this episode, tips on how to protect yourself when booking a vacation rental.