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Tales from Consumer Advocacy Land
Real stories. Real rescues. Real advice.
Happy Sunday evening, friends! I hope you’ve enjoyed your first weekend of spring. 🌻
Let’s dive right into what is new in Consumer Advocacy Land this week, before it gets too late.
Tonight, I have a cautionary tale that highlights why, contrary to some advice you might see out there on the Internet, Facebook is not the place to go to try to fix a problem or shame a company. My case files show that this tactic typically backfires, sometimes catastrophically.
In our first featured article, I will tell you about a Norse Atlantic Airways customer who was simply trying to track down a missing refund. She thought she had found the airline’s official Facebook page. I’ll cut to the chase: she didn’t, and instead she shared her request for help in a group that was only set up to scam members.
In the end, scammers tricked the traveler into sending them $5,100 before she caught on. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers of posting complaints to social media and the truth about many of those Facebook groups.
Of course, I have a few other articles you may have missed the first time around below.
And one more thought before I send this out tonight: the government shutdown is causing terrible passenger delays throughout airports across the country. If you are traveling this week, especially internationally, please plan to arrive at the airport well in advance. Remember, if you miss your flight because you get held up in a line inside the airport, the airlines don’t care. Your flight will take off without you, and you might be marked as a no-show.
Save yourself the hassle: get to the airport early and plan to relax at the gate with a good book or a movie on your iPad. 🤓
Lastly, this week’s newsletter sponsor is Fisher Investments. They have a free retirement planner you can download from their advertisement if that is something of interest to you. As always, I’m including the ad at the bottom of the page.
Enjoy your week! ❤️
This Week’s Fiascos and Fixes 🔍
Norse Atlantic Airways customer Joanne Reston joined the airline’s official Facebook group to complain about a missing refund. At least that’s what she thought she was doing. As it turns out, that Facebook group had no affiliation with the airline. In fact, it was just a trap set by scammers pretending to be helpful Norse agents.
What happened to Reston after joining that Facebook group can only be described as a whirlwind of scams upon scams.
✈️Mai L. says that an in-flight injury on Hawaiian Airlines nearly put an end to her life. Now she’s asking our advocacy team to force the airline to pay her medical bills and other compensation. But the evidence of her near-fatal accident might just be the end of this complaint.(MCF)
🤔Imagine this. You’re suffering from a terminal illness and hope to experience some adventures while you’re still able to enjoy them. But then, the COVID pandemic comes along and throws a wrench into your plans. After nearly a year of waiting, things seem to be subsiding, so you take off for a short vacation with your family. Unfortunately, an opportunistic hotel manager has been waiting, too — for unsuspecting guests to hit with hefty fake charges.
What would you do if it happened to you? Give up, or fight back? (MCF)
The North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) announced the winners of the 34th Annual NATJA Travel Media Awards Competition. Awards were made to publications, travel journalists and photographers, and destination marketing organizations.
🥈Michelle Couch-Friedman and Consumer Rescue received the Silver Award for Best Independent Travel Blog.
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 site's comment section 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!
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Welcome, new friends! 🥰
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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. ❤️ |