⛑️Consumer Rescue Presents 🛟
Tales from Consumer Advocacy Land
Real stories. Real Rescues. Real advice.
What happened when a scammer picked me as his target in Paris?
Hello, friends,
It is I — your jet-lagged, favorite fiasco fixer. 🤪
✈️ I don’t usually get jet lag after a trip from Europe to the United States, but possibly because I’ve been nursing a cold, I did this time. I’ve been up since 4 a.m., and now I’m getting very sleepy… and it’s only 1 p.m. 😴 I’d better get this newsletter written quickly before I nod off!
Let’s talk about what’s new in Consumer Advocacy Land. ⛑️🛟
A scammer targeted me and two of my friends at Charles de Gaulle Airport last week. I’ll tell you all about it in my first article today — plus give you a rundown of the latest tourist scams I think you should be on the lookout for in 2026.👀
As usual, I have a few other stories you may have missed to share:
And I’ll close out the newsletter today with a report about what it’s like to fly during the forced flight reductions right now.
Enjoy! 🌈
🚨🚨 Last-minute alert: I’m on a deadline for a breaking news story about Marriott’s separation from the short-term rental company Sonder. Sonder has immediately filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations, stranding guests all over the world. If you are a Sonder guest impacted by this shutdown, I would love to hear from you ASAP. Thanks!
[email protected]
This Week’s Fiascos and Fixes 🔍
Could an ombudsman columnist who routinely writes about tourist scams become the target of one herself? The answer is, of course, "Yes." No traveler is immune to the possibility of a brush with a bad actor — not even me.
But being a target of a tourist scam and becoming a victim of one are two entirely different things.
(Michelle Couch-Friedman, Chief Fiasco Fixer and founder of Consumer Rescue 😜 )
What if you were gazing out the window of your Airbnb and found a surveillance camera “gazing” right back at you? That was the startling scene that confronted Susan Scott as she relaxed in bed at her recent Mexican vacation rental. (MCF)
If your child is under 24 months old, United Airlines will allow you to fly with the baby on your lap free of charge. But what happens if your offspring celebrates a birthday mid-trip?
For one family, the answer was unbelievably expensive. Here’s their story. (MCF)
How did a $428 Southwest Airlines ticket end up costing an American Airlines customer in distress $4,500? If you guessed a fake airline call center scam is behind this astounding upsell, you would be right. Can we help? (MCF)
The comment section is open 💬🗣️
Do you have an opinion about today's articles? Want to share a suggestion? I love to hear from you.
Our comment section on the site is open and ready for you to offer your thoughts. You can also add your comments under our articles on the Consumer Rescue Facebook page.
Or you can join our "Consumer Rescue: What's Your Problem?" Facebook group. It's a community where we can discuss consumer issues, solve real-time problems, chat about consumer news and our articles, and get quick answers to questions. Members can also share tips, guidance, and travel experiences.
It's a private group, so only members can see what's inside. We hope to see you there!
Welcome, new friends! 🥰
🤗Welcome to all our new subscribers! We're delighted to have you here with us.
*Ps. If you've received this newsletter as a forward, here's how to subscribe.
Friends! Don’t be shy. Sharing our newsletter with other like-minded consumers is a great way to show your support for our mission!
What it’s like to fly right now✈️
I flew home from Paris just after the flight reductions were put into place. And although international flights aren’t supposed to be impacted by this situation, airports in general are chaotic right now. Employees are calling in sick, parts of terminals are blocked off because of reduced staffing, and shared runways are crowded with lengthy lines.
😳When my completely full flight from Paris landed in Newark (on time), a shocking arrangement awaited as we deplaned. There were only two options for the approximately 200 passengers to get from the aircraft to immigration: one small elevator or a long flight of stairs. Anyone who couldn’t carry their bags up those stairs had to wait for the elevator. This setup was the result of one corridor being completely blocked off with red tape — presumably due to staffing and flight reductions.
I made my way up the tall staircase, but the vast majority of passengers stayed behind to wait their turn for the elevator.
Even though the government shutdown is over, the flight reduction order remains in effect. It is unclear when operations will return to normal at airports around the country.
If you’re flying anytime soon — international or domestic — make sure to pack your patience. This is undoubtedly an unusual time, and tensions are high everywhere — among staff and passengers alike.
Get to the airport early.
Expect delays.
Bring a good book or other entertainment.
Reschedule your trip (all major airlines are offering travel waivers right now).
Until next time 😃
Don't forget! Consumer Rescue is just a click away. One of us is always here to answer your questions.
You can get direct consumer advocacy assistance here
What's your problem? Private Facebook group.
Ask Abe (Your registered Medicare counselor)
Of course, you can always reach me at [email protected]
Your friend and loyal consumer advocate,
Michelle Couch-Friedman
Founder/CFF (Chief Fiasco Fixer) 😛
917-841-0583
The Consumer Rescue newsletter and the articles you read on the site are fine-tuned by a team of absolutely wonderful editors (and my friends): Art Ellis, Karen Roberts, Irene Rawlings, Wendie Feinberg, Tanya Anticevic, Jennifer Finger, Robyn Whittingham, Teri Bergin, Dwayne Coward, and Chip Elam. ❤️ |