Curb Painting Scam; Stop Junk Faxes
Some scams never die and they still cause a lot of aggravation for Bay Area residents. One is known as the curb painting scam. If someone comes to your door offering to paint your curb beware.
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Help in Finding Your Polling Place
Put in your address and your zip code and one website will give you the address of your polling place. It also provides a map so you don't have the "couldn't find it" excuse.
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Consumer Cell Phone Rights to Improve
Lin Esposito and her husband thought they'd lucked out. After trying out several cell phones, they finally found their ideal plan at a kiosk in the mall. But it was too good to be true.
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CA Releases HMO Report Card
California HMOs showed improvements overall this year, according to the latest HMO report card issued by the State.
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Be Careful With Valuables on a Cruise
Jennifer Lum and 35 family members took a Princess cruise to Alaska. But smooth sailing hit rough seas when Jennifer got home and realized she left valuables on board.
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Prop 64: Good or Bad for the Little Guy?
Prop 64 limits an individual's right to sue under the state's unfair business competition law. Backers say it will prevent frivolous lawsuits, but opponents warn it will take away consumer rights.
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Consumers Vulnerable to Internet Attacks
Your home computer is probably not as safe as you think. That's according to a new study released today. The study by the National Cyber Security Alliance and America Online is based on actual in-home
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Lawyers Target Schools For Easy Money
Some lawyers are taking advantage of a possible loophole to threaten litigation against school districts in the hope that an easy settlement will be reached.
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Car Theft, Funeral Travel, Insurance News
Find out which cars are stolen most often, and get the latest on ailines' bereavement fare rates and home insurance.
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State Shuts Down Trade School
There have been major new developments in a Contact 4 investigation into a Bay Area trade school with a history of complaints.
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Ambulance, Cancellation, Rebate Tips
Contact 4 helps viewers with ambulance, membership cancellation, and rebate questions. These tips can help you too!
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PG&E; Changes Policy After Investigation
 There has been a major policy change at PG&E involving a widespread billing problem uncovered last month by Contact 4.
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Fastrak Violation Penalties Increase
Commuters who use Fastrak can expect occasional billing issues. After all it is a computerized system. But what happens if you do have a problem?
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FTC Cracks Down on Spyware
It's a growing problem for anyone with a computer: spyware that secretly monitors your Internet use or even worse, takes over your computer.
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Car Renters Hit With Damage Claims
What do you do if your rental car company claims you returned a car damaged, when you know you haven't? It is their word against yours and they have the upper hand.
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Is The Recycler Paying You All It Should?
When you cart all those soda cans to your local recycler, are you getting every penny? One woman in Pleasanton thought she'd been shortchanged.
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Cal State Mistakes Risk Co-Ed ID Theft
After a series of Cal State computer thefts that left thousands vulnerable to identity theft, one student is demanding changes.
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Contractor Takes the Money and Runs
Find out how to protect yourself from an unscrupulous contractor.
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Contact 4 Solves Car Problems
Few consumer problems are more frustrating than those involving your car. Whether it's a bad purchase, faulty repairs or an insurance company that drags it's feet, viewers are turning to Contact 4.
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Credit Card Ruling Benefits Consumers
Don't be surprised if you get even more credit card offers in the mail. It's all because of a Supreme Court ruling and it could be good for you.
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Consumers Fight Norvergence Charges
There's a new class action suit against Norvergence. We told you how the con game brought thousands of small businesses to the brink of financial ruin. Now, new details on how it all worked from an insider.
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Volunteers Repair Home Repair Problems
Home repairs start off as good ideas, but too many times they can lead to awful experiences. Many involve contractors not finishing the job or products homeowners order that turn out to be defective, or just don't work.
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New Check Law; Update on Cingular Fine
Next month, banks are taking a big step toward a paperless future. A new law goes into effect that'll eventually allow banks to stop sending you canceled checks. The law is called "Check 21."
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Bank Card PIN Vulnerable to Thieves
Most everyone with a bank account has an ATM/debit card. Banks insist on it. But one Bay Area woman named Tova says someone else was able to use her card.
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Trade School Arrests, Fraud Charges
There have been major developments in a story Contact 4's Joe Ducey broke just over a month ago. Federal agents have arrested a co-owner and a former manager of a San Francisco trade school.
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New Complaints About PG&E; Billing
PG&E is currently under investigation for deliberatley overcharging ratepayers by estimating meters instead of actually reading them. But what about when your meter is read but not marked on your bill?
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Some Want Dangerous Dodge Recalled
Hundreds of complaints about a possible auto defect have triggered multiple nationwide lawsuits and federal safety investigations against a major auto manufacturer.
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Answers to Common Consumer Questions
Millions of dollars are spent every year on extended warranties for cars. But are they worth it? We'll answer that and other frequently asked consumer questions.
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Governor Signs, Vetoes Consumer Bills
Governor Arnold Shwarzenegger has been busy signing and vetoing legislation this weekend -- some of which can make a difference in a family's life. Take a look at what might become law.
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Contractor Sued for Shoddy Work
A local contractor is facing steep consequences after complaints that their work is shoddy and incomplete. Customers say they paid a lot for very little.
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Beware of Old Scams with New Twists
Stock regulators and local police are warning us of some old scams with new twists. They all play on our greed and must be pretty successful given how often scammers are trying them.
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Stores Sued for Selling Ab Exercise Belts
Walgreens and Big 5 Sports are accused of illegally selling abdominal exercise belts. Prosecutors are suing the retailers, arguing the belts should never have been sold in California.
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New Cruise Staff Ruins Family Vacation
A cruise vacation is all about pampering -- room service and five star meals. But that's not the way it's been for thousands of passengers onboard the Norwegian Cruise Line's "Pride of Aloha."
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Extended Warranties Not Worth Buying
How many of us have paid hundreds, even thousands of dollars for a big ticket appliance and then get hit up for even more money to buy an extended warranty? The question is, do you need it?
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Hawaiian Cruise Becomes Huge Mess
They were people from around the country ready to enjoy a good time at sea. But their Hawaiian cruise turned out to be a huge mess: long lines, cafeteria food and dirty rooms.
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Get Beach Vacation Deals in September
If you wanted to do a beach vacation over the summer but couldn't afford to, now is the time to travel. Since demand for travel drops drastically after labor day, prices drop too, leaving some great deals.
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Snack Allergies Prompt Airline Changes
In-flight medical emergencies impact everybody on a plane. So why would an airline purposely ignore a simple precaution that could prevent someone from getting sick or worse?
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Court OKs $3 Billion in CA Energy Refunds
San Francisco's ninth circuit court of appeals has removed a legal roadblock: clearing the way for nearly $3 billion in energy refunds for California ratepayers.
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AT&T; Bills Man for False Service
How would you feel if you received not just one, not two, but three bills for a long distance plan that you never asked for?
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PUC Probes PG&E;'s Billing Practices
State regulators are investigating complaints about PG&E billing practices. The utility is accused of purposely under- or over-estimating customers' bills.
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Factors Can Change 'Set' Condo Prices
New home sales these days are a lot like car sales: high pressure, glitzy showrooms, and neatly written price lists. But the process isn't quite as easy as the sales staff might have you believe.
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Hotel Guests' Rights Amid Disruptions
A vacation is supposed to be fun and relaxing, but picketers and protesters have a right to free speech. When those rights clash with your right to a peaceful atmosphere, what -- if anything -- can be done about it?
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Good Produce Deals If You Pick Your Own
It's near the end of the summer produce season. But you can still find good deals, especially if you're willing to pick your own produce.
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