Thursday, November 26, 2009

Christmas Connection Info.

Christmas Connection needs lots of canned goods!!! You have until next week, December 4th, to drop of your donation...either at their main building on the northwest corner of SW 59th and May....or at Chataney Square located at SW 104th and Penn, Suite E, from 4-7 Monday through Friday. Christmas Connection must feed more than a thousand families this holiday season and their not even halfway to their goal yet of 15,000 cans. Whether you have 1 or 10 cans...please, please, please donate!!!!

According to its website, the Christmas Connection plays a vital role in the human services network in Oklahoma County, which has a significant number of low-income residents. In 2008, the Christmas Connection provided necessities to over 7,700 children, adults and seniors.

Did You Know??
15.2% of Oklahoma County’s population (105,000 people) lives below the poverty level.
The poverty line is set at an annual income of only $20,260 for a family of four.
1 in 4 Oklahoma children live in poverty.
75% of Oklahoma City Public School students qualify for the free or reduced-price meal program.
http://www.christmasconnection.org/

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Brad Edwards Consumer Champion Award

It's hard to believe it's been almost 4 years since Brad Edwards passed away. The NewsChannel 4 family lost not only an esteemed colleague, but a dear friend. Simply put...Brad was the man...end of story! I can't say one bad thing about him...we all looked up to him, especially pup journalists like myself. I remember a day back in November of 2004...I was just 23 years old and still coming into my own as a live reporter. I won't bore you with the details of the evening, but the night was a total disaster. Needless to say I thought it was the end of the world. That evening, I didn't talk to no one...instead choosing to pout in my corner (pardon the pun...but I literally sit in my corner). I'll never forget how Brad pulled me aside the next day to make sure I was okay. He wanted to know how I was holding up...then offered up words of wisdom like no one else could, but Brad.

We miss Brad dearly! Physically, he might not be with us, but his legacy and spirit live on...both at KFOR...and the Attorney Generals office. After Brad died, state Attorney General Drew Edmondson decided to create a consumer champion award in Brad's honor. Sean Voskuhl, an advocate with the AARP, was the inaugural recipient and last year's winner was Judith Rice, a long standing advocate for Oklahoma families facing eviction. Edmondson is now asking the public to submit nominations to his office for next year's deserving recipient. You have until January 4th to get in your nominations. You can contact the Attorney Generals office or head to the In Your Corner page at KFOR.com to access the nomination form.
www.kfor.com/inyourcorner.com

Attorney General
http://www.oag.state.ok.us/

Monday, November 23, 2009

Craigslist ad is a fraud!!!

Craigslist has many different uses...buying a car or house, selling electronic equipment, or posting an ad for an upcoming community fundraiser. Personally, I've never purchased, sold, or posted anything on Craigslist. Yes, the site can be beneficial, but I've heard too many stories involving people getting ripped off on there. How do you really know who you're talking to or doing business with?? We recently uncovered Crooks using Craigslist to target Oklahomans with the post below....it advertises utility assistance for the low income.

Here's the ad...
Call us now! (OK Area)
Date: 2009-11-16, 11:05AM CSTReply to: mailto:comm-9cfad-1468371178@craigslist.org?subject=Call%20us%20now!%20(OK%20Area)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Foklahomacity.craigslist.org%2Fcom%2F1468371178.html%0A [Errors when replying to ads?]
Blankenship Consulting is a referral service who helps consumers find and locate funds to help pay their outstanding bills. We are networked with various different private organizations, buisnesses, city and government programs that have money available to help you. To qualify you must: Have a disconnection notice or your bill is subject to disconnect or is already disconnected Are unable to pay your bill due to recent hardship such as lay off or job change Have the ability to pay a portion of your bill (in most cases they will pay at least half your bill sometimes it is a percentage of your bills) What we will do for you: We will call and network with our resources to see what funds are available for your needs. If we are able to locate a program for you we can get your account current and get your services re-established most time same day. Give us a call NOW to see if you qualify! Arthur Blankenship 405-816-3374...

Don't call this guy! Don't send him money or your utility bill! This guy is a fraud! He won't answer our calls and has postings on Craigslist in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Fayetteville, Little Rock, and Memphis. Here's the thing...he uses prepaid phones, so it appears he's calling locally. Oklahoma City Police warn he could be anywhere. Beware of any posting with the name Arthur Blankenship or Marcus Chandler (405-204-7671).

Remember, no government agency or charity will require a fee or money up front in exchange for help. Both DHS, OG&E, and the U.S. Dept. of Energy provide energy related home repair assistance for eligible low income families.

DHS assistance
http://www.okdhs.org/programsandservices/liheap

OG&E
http://www.oge.com/residential-customers/save-energy-and-money/energyefficiency/Pages/Home.aspx

U.S. Department of Energy
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/apply.cfm

I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

IYC follow up: Good deed ramping up

A disabled Oklahoma City woman finally has a ramp for her mobile home. She contacted us because she was struggling to find an organization or agency willing to build her one...she simply didn't fit within their criteria for receiving assistance. We knew exactly who to call...the American Business Club. The national civic club has a number of local chapters in Oklahoma including right here in Oklahoma City (I included a list of their local chapters and contact information in an earlier blog posting several weeks back and here's their http://www.ambucs.com/)

Back to our disabled woman...she took her first ride down her new ramp Saturday. I couldn't be there because I was getting ready for our football game tailgate in Stillwater (Go Pokes! Not to worry Sooner fans...I still root for OU as long as they're going head to head with my Cowboys)...but Marc Dillard, our IYC photojournalist and producer, was able to show face. He caught everything on tape...a bunch of hard workers those AMBUCS volunteers. The ramp looks amazing...alot went into it...including hundreds of dollars spent on materials, although some of the materials were donated by ProBuild (Metro materials supply store)...the labor of course was free courtesy of AMBUCS.

Tune in Tuesday night at 10 to catch the full story...

Stillwater repair shop goes belly up

Monday night we featured Budget Transmission in Stillwater and its owner Tony Straughn. Straughn recently shut down his shop without telling customers and that has customers hot...like the two couples who contacted us. We were able to reunite one of those families with their car...although Straughn or someone else stripped the transmission, starter, and other parts. They still can't drive the car...but at least they have it back in their possession...first step toward finding closure right?

The other couple we talked to says Straughn did shoddy work on their pickup. It belongs to their son and is literally sitting in the middle of their pasture still broke down. They want a refund, but lets be real...it's highly unlikely they'll ever see a dime...especially since Straughn is facing lewd molestation and sexual battery charges in Pawnee County and drug possession and driving with a suspended license in Payne County (check out his rap sheet at oscn.net; click docket search; then type in his name....it's a great resource for checking out someones criminal history)...

Anyway, we tracked Straughn down at the Payne County Courthouse last Thursday...as you can imagine, he didn't want to have anything to do with us. He avoided our camera offering absolutely zero response of substance. Well, now he did provide a bit of feedback...repeatedly telling us no comment...I don't know...Leave me alone...You're an idiot....and up yours! Nice, I know. Straughn's case in Pawnee County is supposed to go to a jury sometime in December.

http://www.fraudguides.com/auto-repair-scam.asp is a great resource that highlights some of the most prevalent car repair crimes...here's a brief description of those scams taken directly from the website.

Highway Bandits is one of the oldest auto repair scams. These "Highway bandits" own, or work for service stations. They prey on motorists who stop for gasoline or air or water. There are numerous ploys they attempt to separate the unsuspecting motorist from their money. They've been known to spray oil or drip it under a vehicle then claim that it leaked from the traveler's car. They've punctured tires, cut water hoses, and fan belts so that the motorist will have to buy new ones. These bandits focus on the danger the traveler faces if they drive off without making the repairs and often charge inflated prices.


Repair Estimate Scams...consumers who don't get written repair estimates can suffer the consequences when they pick up their cars. This problem occurs when a shop provides a very reasonable quote when the car is dropped off, but at the end of the day, the consumer finds that the shop has raised the final bill considerably from the verbal quote. This may seem to be perfectly legal; since many mechanics find additional problems with a vehicle once work begins. Shop owners and mechanics have been known to leave the estimated amounts blank when they ask customers to sign repair authorizations. Later on they fill in an inflated amount or descriptions of problems after the consumer leaves the premises.


Maintenance Hook Schemes...repair shops will advertise check-ups or preventive maintenance service at very reasonable rates. Unethical shops will use these maintenance specials to "hook" and deceive their customers. A simple oil change and lubrication process can turn into expensive and unneeded repairs. Some mechanics will even cause damage during an inspection to enhance their income by "discovering" new car repair needs.


Intentional misrepresentation of repair needs...modern automobiles are complex, highly technical machines. The average person has no idea how to repair or maintain their own vehicle. It's very easy for an unethical auto shop or mechanic to deceive the average consumer.
This makes it very hard for the vehicle owner to make decisions on whether the repair is needed. Beware the mechanic who seems a little too pat at explaining the particular problem with your car and always consider a second opinion and definitely get an estimate of costs before authorizing the repairs.


Part replacement problems...a lot dishonest mechanics have charged customers for parts that weren't used. In addition, the mechanic will charge you for the labor required to install the non-existent replacement. It's a double rip-off! The old used part switcheroo is another common cart part related scam. Used parts are a viable option for many repairs, however, some mechanics charge customers for new, premium parts after installing sub-standard or used car parts. Always ask for your old, damaged part back after it's been replaced. It helps keep your mechanic honest.

Counterfeit Car Parts...to save money, some unscrupulous repair shop owners cut costs by using counterfeit car parts instead of high-quality replacement parts. The difference in price can be significant but you won't see any of the savings. You'll be billed the full price for the parts and won't be told. This practice can actually put you in danger because counterfeit auto parts are often of inferior quality. This can put you and your family at risk and you may never even know it. Besides being potentially unsafe, counterfeit parts generally wear out sooner than genuine parts. Detecting counterfeit auto parts is difficult because the counterfeiters often duplicate trademarks or alter them so slightly that it takes an experienced eye to notice the difference. If you suspect that counterfeit car parts have been used in place of quality materials don't hesitate to file a report with your state's attorney general or local Better Business Bureau.


Bait and Switch Repair Scams...many auto scams begin with an advertised price on a specific repair job that seems almost too good to be true. Once they have your car in the shop, they find other items that need repair as a way to expand the work order and inflate your invoice. For instance, imagine you might see an advertisement for a great deal on a tune-up. So you take your car to the repair shop to take advantage of the special. Once there you're told, "You need this, this and this." This is very similar to a bait and switch scam. The only difference here is that you'll probably receive the great deal on the tune-up. You could also pay $500 for repairs you hadn't anticipated or thought you needed. A $699 car repair job can mushroom to almost $2,000 so fast it isn't funny. Your mechanic will find so many things wrong with your vehicle that you'd think it's beyond repair. This would be a great time to get a second opinion before authorizing repairs. A few repair businesses charge customers for parts that don't even end up in your car. Other repair businesses complete the work but it's so shoddy, the customer has to bring the car back two or three times. To add to the insult you'll be asked to pay each time you bring your car back due to the repair shop's negligence.

Friday, November 13, 2009

IYC update: House repair rut

We have an update on All Pro Construction. That's the Oklahoma company making quite the name for itself in these parts. We've heard from a bunch of its customers who say the owner, Harold Whitt, ripped them off! Well, since our initial couple of stories on the company aired...we've had another metro roofing company and a local siding and windows business (both legit...the real deal) contact us willing to help our alleged victims. If you're in the market for a reputable roofer or siding contractor...give these guys a call...I've included their contact information below.

And one more quick note....All Pro Siding and Windows is in no way affiliated with All Pro Construction.

All Pro Siding and Windows
http://www.allprosidingandwindows.com/
7152 Melrose Ln Oklahoma City, OK 73127
(405) 495-9144

Platinum Enterprises
Larry Crockett
(405)816-9520

Remember...never hire a contractor just because they're the cheapest or because they tell you what they want to hear! Make sure to call references, pull court records, and check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

AMBUCS comes to the rescue again!!

Hey everyone...in case you miss (or missed) my IYC report Thursday at 10, here's the 411...we were contacted about a 35 year-old incomplete quadriplegic who needs a ramp built at her mobile home. She's low income and can't seem to find anyone willing to construct her one. While several organizations and agencies assist in building ramps...she doesn't qualify for their services, because she either makes too much money or she's not old enough (55 or older).

Well, when we caught wind of her situation we knew exactly who to call for help...AMBUCS! National AMBUCS™, Inc. is a non-profit service organization consisting of a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities. Members fulfill the organization’s mission by:
-Performing various forms of community service
-Donating AmTryke® therapeutic tricycles to individuals who are unable to ride traditional
bikes.
-Awarding scholarships to therapists
-And building ramps!
We first heard about AMBUCS earlier this year driving around Enid, while we were trying to help the widow of a Vietnam Veteran get a ramp. We randomly noticed a billboard on the side of the road with the AMBUCS logo on it. Their Enid chapter built our disabled woman from Enid four ramps at her home free of charge. It was a fantastic success story. In this case, we enlisted the help of the Oklahoma City AMBUCS chapter. AMBUCS has agreed to donate the labor and supplies free of charge...but to help with their cost, we're checking with several local supply shops about donating the supplies. Either way, the folks with the OKC chapter plan to get started on the in about a week and a half. I'll keep you posted!

National Chapter
http://www.ambucs.com/
Edmond Chapter
http://www.ambucsok.org/
Sooner Chapter (Norman)
http://www.soonerambucs.org/
Lawton Chapter
http://lawtonambucs.org/

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Out of state moving company still won't budge....

The moving saga continues for Erwin Fahrnow. He's the guy from Wisconsin who met his fiance online and moved to Oklahoma City to be with her. Love is blind right?? Fahrnow hired Chase Relocation out of Illinois to move his stuff halfway across country to Oklahoma, but 4 months later he's still waiting on Chase to deliver his stuff. Chase won't admit it's at fault, but here's the thing...Chase was late picking up Erwin's belongings and didn't show up until he was already gone. They have his electric wheelchair, craftmatic bed, walker, prescription drugs, among other things. And to top it off, Chase altered the contract...tacking on additional charges to the original quote. Now, Chase did try dropping off the stuff once, but it was at 11:30 at night during a rainstorm. Police were called...it got messy, but because it's a civil dispute...police could do nothing. Erwin filed a complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, but they haven't done squat. We contacted the Oklahoma Bar Association who put us in touch with attorney Rick Rose (Mahaffey & Gore). Rose along with attorney Lee Groeneveld (also with Mahaffey & Gore) are in talks with Chase and are hopeful for a resolution in the coming week. If Chase continues to resist, they will take their efforts to court. We'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Mary Fallin's office stepped up to the plate in a big way. With their help, we were able to enlist the help of the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council, NeuroResources Outreach, and Westmont Medical Services. NeuroResources assists the disabled with electric equipment...some new, but mostly old. Here's their link... http://www.neuroresourcesoutreach.com

If you are having a problem with a moving company, file your complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The government agency also lists advice and tips on avoiding moving fraud...http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Westmont Medical Services
http://www.westmontmedical.com/

I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner

Monday, November 2, 2009

IYC Scam Alert!!!

Beware of 21st Century Legal Services...a loan modification company doing business out of Rancho Cucamonga, California. We're featuring them tonight (11/2/09) at 10. Here's how their scheme works: 21st Century finds people who are behind on their mortgage...then offers up this story on how they're going to convince your lender to cut your monthly mortgage payment in half. In our victim's case...21st Century persuaded him to stop paying his mortgage all together. So while he was paying 21st each month, no one was paying his mortgage and it's likely 21st Century never even contacted his bank and now the bank is coming after his home. It's a messed up deal...sad really...especially since our victim recently lost his wife and job. Our heart goes out to him.

We can tell you 21st Century is under investigation by the FBI and a handful of state attorneys general have also taken action against the company.

Remember, no company can guarantee a loan modification...your lender doesn't have to listen to anyone. Your best bet is to deal directly with your lender. If you're drowning in debt or about to lose your home, contact Consumer Credit Counseling Service. They offer all of their housing services for free. For more information, head to their website....http://www.cccsok.org/ Tell them the In Your Corner team sent you!
I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner