Three for Thursday 11.10.2022
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
I got what I had hoped was the last campaign flier in the mail Monday. I felt a rush of pity for the candidate, because chances are he doesn't know what I learned the hard way... The people paid to run your campaign are mercenaries, and they will spend every penny you raise on media that doesn't really work anymore. The problem is, no one knows what does work, (until it does), so billions are wasted on the vitriol we've all been exposed to in much of 2022. Here's what you might not know... Two-thirds of the TV ads have been paid for, not by the candidates but by PAC groups outside of Georgia. So, people who want to influence us don't have to watch and listen to the repetitive slime we couldn't escape. Oh, and 320-million American tax dollars will be spent this year on junk mail disposal, not to mention the 550-millon dollars it cost to transport that unwanted junk mail to your home. The irony is most of us knew who we were going to vote for months ago. There's got to be a better way, right?
Watch this Investigation
Today's investigation - Santa Scam. How much can a guy in a Santa suit earn with a bucket and a sign? Watch, because This Could Happen to You!
Ask Dale
Today's Ask Dale question comes from Stephanie, who wants to know what recourse she has when her landlord is charging her unfairly for water use from a broken, inaccurate meter.Watch the video for the answer!
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson is on how to decide whether to give when you're suddenly solicited by an entity presenting itself as a charity.
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? Ask for an id card that carries evidence they're a registered charity in good standing. You should be able to google information on the spot.
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? The pitch says, "for pennies a day, you can support a child." Is this true? Candid.org will show you what percentage of your gift makes it to the appropriate party and/or cause. In my book, it better be at least 60%.
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. People who show up unannounced at your door collecting for a cause will likely never be found once you've given them money. Take their printed information and make a rational decision on your time, not theirs.
Define - Your deal by comparing product, Offer and Price. All charities are not created equally. Use resources like CharityNavigator.org and Candid.org to "shop" charities intelligently.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract, and an Effective Guarantee. The decision to give should never feel rushed. If it is rushed, it's likely it's not real.
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. The secretary of state in the state where the charity is headquartered should have a record showing the legitimacy of the entity. If you can't find it, it's probably not a real charity.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS