By Dave Lieber
watchdog@star-telegram.
A stranger on the phone asks for a credit card number. An electric company unexpectedly increases its fees. A dry cleaner loses a favorite shirt.
How well do you cope with these everyday hassles? Do you hope for the best and prepare for the worst?
Or do you let the world make mincemeat out of you? What's your Watchdog Nation IQ?I've got a test that checks to see who pays attention and knows how to fight back. Answer four or more of these eight questions correctly, and you're a true citizen of Watchdog Nation.
Answer three or less correctly, and scam alert - you're ripe for the picking. So sharpen your pencils:1. The biggest surprise of 2012 in Watchdog Nation is the arrival of a new and unexpected bad guy: a) roofers who take the money and run; b) bankers who take the money and run; c) Internet vendors with money-back guarantees that don't honor their promises; d) North Texas dentists who offer free gifts and steep discounts in ads and mailings to attract new patients in violation of state dentistry rules.
2. In Watchdog Nation, which of these is considered the largest time-waster? a) 12 minutes on hold with AT&T waiting to argue about a new charge; b) 15 minutes negotiating with a North Texas Tollway Authority rep about contested fines and penalties; c) 90 minutes listening to a fly-by-night travel club presentation in exchange for free cruise tickets; d) reading The Watchdog column Fridays and Sundays in the Star-Telegram.
3. If a door-to-door salesperson comes to your door to sell a security alarm package or an electricity plan, pick the two best choices for responding: a) immediately buy whatever it is; b) invite the salesperson in for coffee; c) talk to the salesperson and test his credibility by asking smart questions; d) politely say, "Busy now. Not interested."
4. The easiest way for members of Watchdog Nation to save money is: a) protest your county property tax rate each year; b) shop annually for a better electricity contract from a good company; c) call your phone, cable, satellite TV and Internet companies periodically and request discounts; d) all of the above.
5. A used appliance salesman who sells refrigerators, washers and dryers and advertises in the
Star-Telegram is banned from the paper after buyers complain yjsy his merchandise doesn't always work. The best way to protect yourself from used appliance mishaps is: a) remember that anyone selling anything has the potential to be shady so always protect yourself; b) don't pay until an appliance is installed and works properly; c) look for used appliances that come with a warranty; d) all of the above.
6. A Fort Worth resident notices that Tri-County Electric Cooperative is charging an improper sales tax on his monthly electric bill. When he calls the co-op to protest, he'd told the tax is proper. State officials instructed the co-op to charge the tax. After the resident files an official complaint, he and other customers receive tax refunds. Complaints about improper charges of sales taxes should go to: a) Gov. Rick Perry; b) Ben Affleck; c) the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts; d) tax opponent Grover Norquist.
7. The federal government is so frustrated trying to stop robo-calls received by Americans in violation of the Do Not Call list that regulators are offering: a) a $50,000 cash prize to anyone who can figure out how to stop the calls; b) whistles to every American household to blow into the phone when calls come; c) a list of bounty hunters who will search for scam organizers and bring them to justice; d) all of the above.
8. A way to test any company's credibility before doing business with it is to: a) go several pages deep into search engine results about the company, looking for problems; b) check if the company has a physical street address; c) ask to keep the contract for a few days before signing it so a lawyer can look at it (watch the reaction); d) all of the above.
Answers: 1-d; 2-c; 3-c & d; 4-d; 5-d; 6-c; 7-a; 8-d.
The Watchdog column appears Fridays and Sundays.Dave Lieber, 817-390-7043Twitter: @davelieber
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