What's Your Problem?

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Avoid the lump of coal in your holiday shopping carts

If you plan to get jolly at your computer this holiday season shopping for online deals, beware. Internet scammers are lurking, just waiting for the opportunity to fill your stocking with a big ol'...


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Meet the Problem Solver


Jon Yates was born and raised in Ames, Iowa, where he spent six years as a stock boy and bagger for the Hy Vee grocery store chain. In college, he placed third in the Southeast Iowa Regional Grocery Bagging Contest.

He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1992 with a degree in journalism and history, and the following year became a reporter at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He later worked for the Palm Springs Desert Sun and the Nashville Tennessean, before joining the Chicago Tribune in 2000 as a general assignment reporter.

He started the What's Your Problem? column in 2005. It appears on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

He lives in Oak Park with his wife, daughter, son and their 75-pound mutt.

Meet the Problem Partner


Kristin Samuelson has joined forces with the Problem Solver as his "Problem Partner" to tackle more of your problems. Feel free to contact her at KSamuelson@tribune.com.



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Win a free snow thrower

Win a free snow thrower

Crafty Beaver Home Centers is giving away a free snow thrower. Are you ready for winter?

Win a $100 gift card

Win $100 for holiday shopping

The holidays are here--and so is your chance to win one of five $100 gift cards.

Local Business SEO

SEO tips for your local business

Not turning up high enough on Google? Then follow these simple steps from Brent Payne, the Tribune's director of SEO.

Recalls & product safety news from CPSC

Helpful Web sites

• File a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General
• File a 311 request with City of Chicago
• File a complaint or view a business's history at the Better Business Bureau
• Check out consumer news updates at Chicago's Department of Consumer Services
• View national consumer news at the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Protection page
• For problems with your utilities, try the Citizens Utility Board

Have other web site suggestions? E-mail the Problem Solver at yourproblem@tribune.com