Let ABC15 Know Newsletter

LET ABC15 KNOW SCAMBUSTER ALERTS

APRIL 2024

A new face, but same mission! Christel Bell is the new lead reporter for the Let ABC15 Know consumer investigative unit. She's taking over as Joe Ducey retires from television news. Joe created a legacy of serving the community and standing up for consumers. Christel and the team are continuing the mission by helping consumers individually and by educating consumers on their rights!

MEET CHRISTEL:

Christel is a passionate journalist, who has made it her mission to serve her community. She has more than 17 years of experience in broadcast news working at stations in Texas and South Carolina. She moved from Kansas City, Missouri, where she was an evening anchor. Christel has experience in consumer news, while in South Carolina, she created a consumer franchise dedicated to helping educate viewers about consumer rights and ways to saving money. Christel is a native of Houston, Texas but is excited to call Phoenix her home and is already working to help the people of Arizona!

Three fun facts about Christel:

1. In college, I studied abroad in Cuernavaca, Mexico in a Spanish Immersion Program.

2. My first job was at Blockbuster Video. (I know, let that nostalgia set in!)

3. My first children’s book is set to be released summer 2024.

4. How do you say my name? CHRIS-TELL

1. "EXTREME" SCAM: An Arizona family's home was in need of a few updates, including making it more handicap accessible for the kids. That's when mom, named Sam, decided to apply online to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She didn't hear anything for a while, but made a public comment on Facebook thanking a local contractor for the work he did on her home. That's when a scammer decided to strike! The scammer commented on Sam's post with a generic message saying she was a casting agent for HGTV and Sam was chosen to be on the show, but needed to reach out via the email provided by the scammer. Sam did. She gave the fake casting employee personal information, but when Sam started asking about talking to a legal department she says the person became aggressive. That's when Sam reached out to Let ABC15 Know. We confirmed the person she was talking to was not associated with HGTV at all. Also, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was no longer on HGTV but was going to be rebooted on ABC soon. That means HGTV has nothing to do with casting and the person was lying to Sam from the beginning!

2. CLEARING UP CONFUSING BILLS: If you've read your cable or internet bill but felt confused trying to sift through and decipher all of the fees listed, you're not alone! "Regulatory fee", "Service fee", "Administration fee" are all meant to sound vague. As part of a national crackdown on unnecessary fees and transparency, the Federal Communications Commission enacted a new "Broadband Label" regulation. It requires providers to clearly state what fees they're charging, what the fees are for, and give information about the actual service being provided (ie- if you pay for high-speed internet, are you actually getting high-speed processing?). You should see the changes on your next bill. If you don't, report it!

3. SOLAR LEAK SOLUTIONS: Arizona is no stranger to strong winds and Monsoon rains, so it's natural for solar panels to suffer from wear and tear. But, Bonnie's brand new solar panels used to heat her pool sprung a leak just a few weeks after installation - TWICE! When she wasn't getting help, she Let ABC15 Know. Our problem-solver, Gabby, jumped on the case to help and got big results. Bonnie had all new panels installed! She says it's a good lesson and reminder to not get swept up in a sales pitch, but to always read reviews and research a company before signing a contract or paying for a service.

CHRISTEL TELLS YOU Christel tells you about the tax extension deadline. April 15 is the deadline for most of us to file our taxes. You may need more time to file, if you do you can file an extension for October 15. Just remember that’s only to file your taxes; If you owe, it doesn’t delay payment. Speaking of owing, you have an option to work out a payment plan with the IRS. You are given 180 days to pay if you owe less than $100,000; Penalties and interest, however, will continue to accrue until it’s paid off. Many times, it is difficult to reach the IRS via telephone, however you can file an extension or request a payment plan online.

PRODUCER KJ'S TOP PICK: Valley families Let ABC15 Know when they were about to be without a place to stay. The Arizona Justice Center jumped in to help coordinate emergency housing! But housing is just one of the many avenues where they offer help to Arizonans in need. Check them out!

If you're a problem solver, we could use your help to help others. Please go to abc15.com/letabc15know, fill out the volunteer form and help us solve problems in the community!

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