Ask the Watchdog
Watchdog columnist Dave Lieber helps you stand up for yourself against the system.
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 1 - 9 of 9 (Page 1 of 1)Submitted by Francisca Rhoads from Fort Worth
Q: I am still not received my stimulus check from the IRS. The last two digits of the social is 27 so I was supposed to get it by May 9 according to their web-site. I called but their automated answering service was not able to find any information on my stimulus check.
Answered 05/13/08 08:17:02 by Dave Lieber
A: Your note presents us with three different scenarios that tell us much. Your check is not on schedule. You called to ask and you got a machine. You tried to find the answer but couldn't. Welcome to our world. I typed "IRS delay stimulus check" into news.google.com and learned from the Times Herald-Record in NY that there was a "snafu." Reporter Christian Livermore broke the story about how the IRS was depositing direct-deposit checks into the wrong bank account and it was happening around the nation to "tons" of people. As best I can see, this reporter is the only one who has caught on to this story so far. The story also said that people who called to find out what is going on are greeted with the same automated answering machine and no answers.Submitted by David from Eisenhauer
Q: PLEASE investigate the rationale behind the proposed tax evaluation of leased properties at Possum Kingdom Lake. The proposed evaluation of my .453 acres is $103,600.00 for 2008!! (The value was $39,470.00 for 2007 !!) Since this is the figure that my lease rate is based upon, I suspect that my lease will also increase significantly. SOMETHING is WRONG. This is NOT just my problem but all Lessees of land from the BRA at Possum Kingdom Lake! PLEASE INVESTGATE - It is bigger than just me and a few individuals. Something is rotten and this ain't Denmark!!
Answered 05/13/08 08:06:05 by Dave Lieber
A: The Star-Telegram is now collecting information from readers about 2008 tax appraisals -- your questions and concerns. Several reporters are set to examine current trends in this year's tax assessments. Anyone with concerns: Feel free to send me your information and I will pass it on to the appropriate folks. Send your letters about tax matter to me at Dave Lieber, Watchdog, Star-Telegram, PO Box 1870, Fort Worth, TX 76101. Or send a detailed email that I can forward to watchdog@star-telegram.comSubmitted by Dianne Hardie from Fort Worth, Texas
Q: I purchase a new car back in Feb. 2008. I traded in a car as will as put down cash. I was notified via mail in March 2008 that the dealership never paid off the note on my trade in. The dealership enjoys shuffles me from one sales manager to another and has not done a thing to fix the problem. Mean while I am still responsible for the payments on this car and no car to show for it.In addition the dealership has lead me to believe that my trade in has been sold. What can I do?
Answered 05/09/08 10:11:12 by Dave Lieber
A: I am assuming you have ALL the paperwork that backs up your story. In that case, go file a complaint with the Texas Attorney General consumer protection division: (800) 621-0508Submitted by Bruce from Bedford
Q: Just a warning to others. I recently had a disagreement with AT&T and their U-Verse fiber optic package. The information given by the door to door salesman that they could work around one requirement is not correct. If you sign up for this service and do not have AT&T DSL currently, you must wait 10 working days from the time your old DSL service is turned off until they will install the U-Verse Fiber Optics. That is 2 weeks with no internet access from home. This fact did not cost me any money, just a vacation day when their instal team did not show as promised. And I did not get their service. I wish Bedford would switch so I can get Verizon and FiOS.
Answered 05/09/08 10:09:53 by Dave Lieber
A: Thanks for this, Bruce. I'll share...Submitted by Roxie Gibeson from Saginaw, Texas
Q: What can I do about T-Mobile billing me for a number that was not one we were using and then charging $200 for early termination of that number. I got a 64 page phone bill for $494 when I switched companies with most of the charges going to the number that was not ours. I need help resolving this because I am unemployed and cannot afford to pay bills that are not mine.
Answered 04/21/08 09:03:51 by Dave Lieber
A: Have you called the T-Mobile supervisor and said, "If we can't solve this in this phone call, I am contacting the FCC, the Department of Justice, the attorney general in the state where you are registered and the investigative columnist at my newspaper, who told me he is interested in seeing if the company will help me before he goes any further."?? Tell the supervisor your letters of complaint to the government agencies are typed and printed and ready to go. If they don't help you, follow through and complain. Quickly.Submitted by Rick McCleery from Mansfield, TX
Q: This request concerns Sirius Satellite Radio and their billing procedures. I renewed this service (account #805940528) on a vehicle for a one year period in January 2007. At the time I asked them to invoice me so that I would not have to give them a credit card number and have the account automatically renew. I sold the car in September 2007. In January or February I began receiving recorded telephone messages from Sirius that my subscription would expire in February and that I needed to call them to renew the service or they would discontinue the service. I believe (not certain) that I talked with someone in January and said that I had sold the vehicle. I received renewal invoices that I ignored since I did not want to renew the service. The last invoice (#245128362) dated 4/11/08 had an amount owed of $27.73 and was past due. I called Sirius on 4/20/08 and explained that I no longer wanted the service and that I had prepaid to avoid the auto renewal. The customer service rep said that the account automatically renews and that the service had been cancelled and that I owed a service charge and late fee. The amount was now $32.73. None of the invoices said anything about automatically renewing the service if I didn’t pay or cancel the service. She was adamant that I had to pay this amount. I asked to speak with a supervisor. I told him the same story and got the same response. We ended the conversation after I told him that I was not going to play this amount.. What can I do to get this unwarranted charge removed? Thanks. Rick McCleery
Answered 04/21/08 09:01:50 by Dave Lieber
A: If it were me, I would do some internet research and hunt around for the email addresses of Sirius executives. Mel Karmazin (spelling?) is the CEO. I'd send emails to them. Also, they have a merger pending with the Department of Justice and the FCC. I would call and ask for the supervisor again and explain that you are about to write a letter opposing the merger and telling the DOJ and FCC why. I bet that shakes their cage. Also mention that you have been in touch with me and "he's interested" in this. Let me know how it turns out.Submitted by John Garcia from Arlington
Q: With no forewarning, I received a letter from TXU advising they could not access my meter because of a locked gate and dogs.....
Answered 04/21/08 08:59:36 by Dave Lieber
A: John, I have taken your entire note and passed it on to my "special friend" at TXU for a look-see.Submitted by dawn from arlington
Q: Is anyone watching what is happening with Durable Medical Equipment and the Competetive Bidding with Medicare. Check out www.amepa.us. This is frightening.
Answered 04/16/08 14:04:23 by Dave Lieber
A: Thanks for the heads upSubmitted by bea from Tx 76126
Q: the mess with AA: why is the FAA allowed to make an example of American when they were complicit in the mess too? Who is going to fine the FAA? AA will try to draw blood/money from its employees to pay for this (more wage cuts/bankruptcy?) but who is going to fine the FAA? - why didn't the FAA handle this in a manner better for the employees (mostly innocent) at AA & for the flying public? why is no senator/elected official seemingly able to do anything about this? open skies: foreign carriers are now allowed in with little mention in the news what about THEIR wiring - where is the agency to check & ground them or is this a conspiracy to get rid of american jobs & allow in foreign co.s with possibly cheaper labor I am just appalled at how this is handled - AA is one of the few carriers with NO bankruptcy record & this could change all of this. Lastly - AA is due to pay BONUSES next week - surely they will be embarrassed by this & will not pay them...will use the money to pay for this fiasco....or will they be allowed to pay the bonuses & then come after the employees for more give backs. AA I understand is just finally trying to get back much of their wages taken post 9/11 & now this - Please tell me someone can step up, make the FAA face the music - I know.....let them pay 50% of the fines/costs AA is now picking up!!! Bea
Answered 04/11/08 12:07:10 by Dave Lieber
A: Bea, Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The Watchdog.
