ORLANDO, Fla. — Hundreds of customers claim a big rental car company hit them with insurance charges they didn’t want. So many consumers complained, the state attorney general now wants answers. 

Dr. Allen Friedman said he always refuses rental car insurance because he’s already covered. So what happened at Dollar Rent a Car left him ready for a fight. ”This is not what I asked for and I will not let it go,” said Friedman. His final bill included a $215 insurance charge and he said Dollar would not remove it. Friedman said he could not believe it. ”Something just isn’t right here,” he said. 

Action 9 searched BBB complaints nationwide and checked with the Florida Attorney General to uncover hundreds of consumers who claim the same thing happened to them. Dollar had more complaints than other rental companies. At least 30 of the complaints were from customers at Orlando International Airport, including Daniel Ringleben. ”I will never use them again,” said Ringleben. 

Read more from WFTV.com 9

Have you ever run into trouble at the rental counter? Are you a victim of Dollar Rent A Car insurance overcharges? Tell your story by completing the Dollar Overcharge Contact Request.

Read more about the Dollar / Thrifty Rent A Car Overcharges from InvestigativeGuy.com, and other news sites:

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you information about qualifications and experience. The information contained in this website is for general information only and is not to be considered legal advice nor does it substitute for the advice of an attorney. Mattes is currently advocating on behalf of consumers across the country who allege they are being overcharged for insurance after they decline it.  Mattes is currently counsel of record in the case of Friedman v. Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. 

Pay phone cost warnings sailing through Capitol

By Michael Gardner MAY 10, 2013 – San Diego Union-Tribune

SACRAMENTO — Legislation that aims to end surprise hefty bills for using credit or debit cards at pay phones appears to be on course to reach Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk.

The measure — growing in part out of litigation involving a San Diego area company and military troops using pay phones at an airport in Germany — unanimously passed the Senate last week.

Supporters acknowledge that any new warning requirements would not be enforceable in other states or countries. But they hope it will inspire similar laws.

Have you ever run into trouble at the rental counter? Are you a victim of Dollar Rent A Car insurance overcharges? Tell your story by completing the Dollar / Thrifty Rent A Car Overcharge Contact Form.

Lawsuit accuses Dollar Thrifty of charging customers for extra insurance coverage
May 7, 2013 By Keith King, 41KSHB.com ActionNews, OLATHE, Kan.

Steve Roberts travels a lot for work. In March, the Olathe man flew to Tampa, Fla. After landing, he went to the Thrifty rental counter to pick up the car reserved by his employer.  ”I said ‘I don’t want the damage waiver because I am covered by my insurance and by my credit card,’” Roberts recalled telling the Thrifty employee.  Before leaving with the car, Roberts said he asked the employee again to make sure he wouldn’t be charged for the extra insurance coverage.  Roberts said, “OK this does not include damage waiver, correct?” She said, “No, it does not.”

Have you ever run into trouble at the rental counter? Are you a victim of Dollar Rent A Car insurance overcharges? Tell your story by completing the Dollar / Thrifty Rent A Car Overcharge Contact Form.

When you see the Fonz peddling the safety of reverse mortgages, you know seniors are in trouble.  And it isn’t just the Fonz . On late night TV you can’t miss former Senator Fred Thompson also pushing reverse mortgages.

Reverse mortgages were designed to let seniors take principal out of their homes and were supposed to include safeguards,  but seniors are losing their homes to con men. The swindlers’ sales pitches promise seniors they’ll never have to pay a penny, but that is a lie. Reverse mortgages have insurance fees and taxes. Seniors who don’t make these payments could lose their homes.

Who is protecting our seniors? This week the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sent out letters to a number of mortgage firms questioning their advertisements.

“Misrepresentations in mortgage products can deprive consumers of important information while making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives,” said Richard Cordray,  Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

“Baiting consumers with false ads to buy into mortgage products would be illegal. We will conduct a fair and rigorous investigation into these issues and will take appropriate action for any violations we find.”

Meanwhile the TV and print ads continue to target seniors. Government investigators are responding, but for many, it will be too late. The damage has  been done. Many have lost their homes and the con men are long gone.

If you know seniors that has lost their homes to a reverse mortgage con,

let us know. We will investigate.

The first perpetrators on the scene to shortchange storm victims are the insurance companies themselves. They will be smiling and reassuring and all the while  hoping that victims will settle for the first check offered them. The first check  classically will be the smallest one, so victims need to take a deep breath and say no thank you. The companies are hoping storm-shocked victims will not comprehend their true loss and will settle on the spot for a hug and a check for pennies on what they are owed.

You need to document their losses. Take pictures of every item that is storm- damaged and do not throw away damaged items. Insurance companies may later ask for proof in the form of receipts for the items and/or the actual items.

You need to read their polices to see what is covered and what is not. You have to read the fine print as to whether your policy covers full replacement at current value.

You also have to know what kinds of damage coverage you have. Look out, as many victims will not have flood insurance  and insurance companies will try to tell them their homes were damaged by a flood, not a hurricane. Be ready to fight.

If you have to fight the insurance company, there are many people who will offer to help you, for a fee. With every disaster, public adjusters appear on the scene ready to represent victims in exchange for a percentage of the settlement. Be very very careful with public adjusters. Screen them for their experience. Most importantly, find out how long they have been in business and how many cases they have handled. Remember – they make money by quick settlements and thus want as many clients as possible to settle quickly, which can short-change consumers. Be sure you do your homework before you sign anything.

Another avenue homeowners may want to consider is hiring an independent appraiser. While they charge an upfront fee, they can provide you an objective and documented appraisal of your damaged items. With the appraisal, you will be prepared for any low-ball estimates the insurance company gives you regarding the worth of your belongings.

Bottom line, get ready to fight for what is yours.

Mattes phoned in to America’s Radio News to warn about mortgage and Home Loan Modification scams, in these tough, economic times.

Help for Homeowners

UPDATE AUG  30  Today a report was released indicating  that the  banks have actually helped over 130,000 homeowners with over  $10.5 billion in  relief. So read on and take action now!

Yes, there really is hope for underwater homeowners and for families that lost their homes in foreclosure. It may sound hard to believe but it’s true that there are banks out there that do want to help America’s families. Banks have finally agreed to help homeowners in distress.

Before you run out and hug a bank official, a word of context. Banks are not reaching out to homeowners out of community good will. Many have faced nationwide investigation and litigation by state and federal authorities, and they are reaching out in order to settle the cases.

So here is how it works. As part of the court settlement, Bank of America has mailed out letters to 200,000 homeowners offering mortgage modifications. To qualify, homeowners must be 60 days behind in payments, be employed and the home must be underwater. The 11 billion dollar program is real, but sadly, many homeowners who have received the letters think it is all a scam and have not responded. After all, who trusts a letter from the bank? The result is that many homeowners are missing out on an incredible opportunity . Also other banks are part of the deal so you need to check with your bank.Ally, Bank of America, Citi, Chase and Wells Fargo are banks that also are  now part of the  program

Another program that many have also ignored is a program that provides an independent review of foreclosures. Remember robo-signing of foreclosures and the stories of banks improperly foreclosing on homes? Well the stories were true. Again, in a settlement with authorities, banks have agreed to conduct an independent review of foreclosures done between 2009 and 2010. If the review finds there were errors in the foreclosure, a family who lost their home can get compensation. The free program is open until September 30, 2012.
As with many other so-called homeowner help programs, this program has been only utilized by a few, as most families do not believe anything they get from their bank. Who can blame them?

So bottom line, take a leap of faith and at least try out the programs. There is nothing to lose and perhaps there is money to be gained. Take my word and try it. Remember, though, only go to the real websites and to the banks directly. You might be pleasantly surprised.  Bottom line there is $25 billion out there to help you.

http://homeloanhelp.bankofamerica.com/en/principal-reduction-announcement.html

http://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/independent-foreclosure-review.htm

https://independentforeclosurereview.com

For help completing the form or to have questions answered, call 1-888-952-9105.