Evelyn Kanter Eco Report » Buyer Beware

Avoid Gulf Coast Oil Spill Charity Frauds

Evelyn Kanter — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:17:02 +0000

The good guys are volunteering and working overtime to undo the damage of the BP oil spill, the worst environmental disaster US history. Beware of frauds. The bad guys are out there scamming instead of skimming.

Job Scams — One fraud is asking you to pay up front for a job helping clean up the [...]

Avoiding Garth Brooks Concert Ticket Scams

Evelyn Kanter — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:37:52 +0000

Entertainer Garth Brooks has been performing to sold-out crowds and rave reviews in Las Vegas. His performances at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas are so popular that tickets are now on sale for dates through Thanksgiving 2010. Depending on how you look at it, new ticket buying rules from the Wynn will protect [...]

American Airlines Adds Yet More Ticket Fees

Evelyn Kanter — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:40:31 +0000

As I’ve said before, airlines are working overtime to come up with new ways to increase ticket prices without actually raising the cost of the actual airline ticket. Here’s the latest scheme to increase the cost of your travel experience, from American Airlines –

Pay extra and you can board first, with Group One. Pay extra [...]

Most Stolen Cars in USA

Evelyn Kanter — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 20:58:29 +0000

1994 Honda Accord is most-stolen vehicle

An estimated 2,650 cars are stolen each and every day in the USA. That equals about one car, SUV, minivan or pick-up truck stolen every 33 seconds. So, in the time it takes you to read this article, two vehicles could have been stolen. Or three, depending on how quickly you read.

It’s not just fancy [...]

New American Airlines Ticket Fees

Evelyn Kanter — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:54:59 +0000

American Airlines has figured out a new way to squeeze more money out of its passengers. The second-largest airline in the USA is now charging non-premium passengers $50 to stand by for a different flight. But they are not alone — Delta and Continental already are doing it.

According to Travel Babel, United does not charge for [...]

Over-Priced Travel Gear to Avoid

Evelyn Kanter — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:19:57 +0000

GlamBags cost 5x more than ordinary Ziplocs

We all look for airfare bargains, hotel discounts, and the best car rental deals when we travel. So why would you waste money on travel gear or gadgets that just look pretty?

Why would you buy 18 decorated zip-close plastic bags for $9.95 when many airport security gates give them away for [...]

Haiti Relief Charity Frauds Warning

Evelyn Kanter — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:47:22 +0000

Haiti earthquake victim

The horror of the devestating earthquake in Haiti is beyond belief. So are the creeps taking advantage of our willingness to help by launching scam Haiti charities.

CBS News is reporting that links on Google posing as Haitian charities are really links to malicious software sites that may steal your identity or turn your computer into [...]

Hotel Parking Valet Abuses Cars (video)

Evelyn Kanter — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:20:53 +0000

Wonder no more about what happens to your car after you hand the keys to the valet. This video proves valets like to drive your car even more than you do. It’s scary, and funny, and a good reason to tip well so the valet will treat your four wheels more kindly than here:

It’s a pretty [...]

Beware of Dangerous Airport Food

Evelyn Kanter — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:37:04 +0000

Airport food is worse than you think. It’s enough to make you sick. With all the new airport security rules, we’ll be spending more time at airports, which means we’ll be eating more airport food. But unless airport food vendors clean up their act, there will be more passengers locking themselves in airplane bathrooms, like the [...]

Travel Insurance 101

Evelyn Kanter — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:20:01 +0000

Photo courtesy RCCL

Missed connections, misplaced or damaged luggage, an unexpected accident or illness in the family before or during a trip, a strike or work stoppage by airline or train workers, even forgetting your passport for departure or losing it en route — these are all reasons you should not leave home without travel insurance, [...]