If you feel a product, service, or other item did not perform as advertised or promised, you can complain.

If you are complaining in person, do it in an orderly, professional and courteous manner. Remember that your problem may not be as apparent to others as it is to you, so you don't want to put everyone on defense before you've had a chance to voice your problem.

If you are complaining online or in a letter, contact the customer service department and find out exactly who you are sending this letter to. What is their name and address, and you may want to send it certified mail, to be sure that it was received and signed for. Be sure to include all pertinent information in your letter such as date of purchase, serial numbers, receipts (always send copies, never originals) correspondence, etc.

And make sure your spelling is accurate, nothing sends a letter into the garbage faster then bad grammar and spelling mistakes.

If you are sending the product back at your own expense, make sure it gets there by insuring the item. That way if the company claims they never got it, you can prove that it was sent and received, in order to get your refund.

And if complaining to the company gets you knowhere, you can take the next step and file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org or your city or state's Department of Consumer Affairs or Attorney General's Office. Plus you can also take them to small claims court to enforce your rights and make your point.

Awaiting Insurance Approval Turns Into A Marathon Of Pain For Long Island Man

You may find your mailbox regularly stuffed full of junk mail like credit offers, sweepstakes entries, "special offers" from companies you've never heard of and catalogues you never requested. How do these companies find you?

You'd be surprised just how much information about you is available out there. Marketing companies regularly buy "lists" bearing the names and addresses of customers from various mail-order companies. They also compile lists from market survey forms, product registration cards, and use the names of customers of "affiliated" businesses.

So the more information you put out there, the more likely you'll be a target for junk mail, telemarketing calls, "spam" e-mail, and scams.

To reduce your information profile provide only necessary information on incentive, rebate and warranty registration forms. Don't answer marketing questions or include your phone number or e-mail address.

• Don't respond to "surveys" that require you to reveal personal informaiton or fill out a form. Marketers use that information to send you more junk plus con artist's use surveys as a way of getting your personal information so they can steal it.

• Never respond to e-mails or telephone calls asking you to provide or "confirm" personal or account information.

You can also remove your name from mailing lists sold by the three main credit bureaus for pre-approved credit card offers by calling: 1-888-5OPTOUT or 1-888-567-8688 rr go online to www.optoutprescreen.com.

If you're renting in New York you're used to having some protections. Most apartments are rent stabilized. But one woman is seeing her rent about to double, even though she's under rent stabilization, or so she thought.

That perfect hotel price can quickly increase with extra charges if you're not careful. Remember that every hotel is different, so its important to ask in advance before assuming that any special perks or amenities are free.

Everybody knows that using the hotelroom's phone or eating from the snackbar will quickly jack up costs, but some hotels may also charge extra fees for accessing the internet, calling room service, using their valet service, or cancelling a reservation.

So when you're calling the hotel to ask about extra perks like free breakfast or parking, remember to also ask what if any extra fees come with the room. Some hotels automatically add charges like use of their gym or swimming pool. If you know you won't be using those facilities, ask if they can remove those fees from your bill. It may not always happen, but it doesn't hurt to ask and can help lessen the pain when you finally get the bill.

Pamela wanted to have a baby shower for her daughter, but she didn't expect to wind up in court over a bounced check... and to top it all off, she really didn't expect to end up on television!

You've heard it before: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." With unemployment numbers at an all time high, training courses promising job placement can be alluring. I've received tons of complaints from people who've responded to ads in their local paper looking to employ people as security guards.

Of course, companies like these charge pricey upfront fees for job training. And while you may think a steady job is just around the corner, don't be fooled! More likely than not, you'll be out a chunk of change with no job to show for it. Read your paperwork! If the paperwork you signed with a particular training company doesn't explicity state you'll be given permanent employment, don't expect a job.

So remember, if it's not in the contract, it's not a guarantee... regardless of what they're telling you to your face.

What would you do if Channel 11 gave you $1,000 in cash?

Just this past July the minimum wage went up to $7.25 per hour. Most of us take it for granted we're getting paid at least that; hopefully much more. But one woman claims that what her job is paying her is nowhere near that. Is it legal?

Finding an apartment can be a nightmare, and most apartments are far from perfect -- at least at first sight. That's why it's important to make sure that any repairs that need to be made before your move-in date are included in the written lease agreement between you and your landlord. While your landlord may VERBALLY agree to fix your broken dishwasher, toilet, window, or floorboard, it's crucial that you include specific repairs in your lease agreement. This way, specified repairs are guaranteed in writing to be made BEFORE you move in.

Spammers steal e-mail addresses when people carelessly publish them on blogs, forums, personal websites, chat rooms, and other social web pages. Spammers regularly use automated search programs called "spambots" which scour the Internet looking for email addresses they can send their spam to. It's called "harvesting." If your e-mail address is published in its ordinary format on a webpage, spambots will collect it and add it to their list.

Here are two ways to circumvent spambots:

1. Mask your email address by publishing it as an image rather than as text using a photo publishing tool.

2. Use replacements for the symbols in your e-mail address. If your email address is myname@mycompany.com, try publishing it like this: myname(at)mycompany(dot)com.

What do you do when a store doesn't return your investment?

Howard participates in the Indian ceremony called Raksha Bandhan.

You know what it's like, you finally spring for a 30-day MetroCard or an unlimited card and you immediately lose it!

As long as you paid for your MetroCard with a credit, debit, or ATM card, your 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard is automatically insured.

MTA NYC Transit now has a "Balance Protection Program" for the 14-day and 30-day unlimited ride metrocards. You're protected from the loss or theft of those cards as long as it was purchased with a credit, debit or ATM card from a Metrocard vending machine.

Just call 212-METROCARD (212-638-7622) and provide them with the number of the card you used to purchase the MetroCard. They will credit your account with a prorated value remaining on your card based on the day you notify them. You will NOT receive a replacement card.

You can file up to two claims per calendar year. The first claim will be processed free of charge; a second will be subject to a $5.00 administrative handling fee that will be deducted from the refund amount. You should file your claim within the first 24-hours of losing it and if you have another complaint with Metrocard, pick up a complaint form at any token booth. Fill it out immediately and send to New York City Transit , Attn: MetroCard Customer Claims, 130 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. The form must be postmarked within 24-hours of the problem!

What happens if you own a home, but don't have the deed or the title to prove it? Can it hurt your chances of selling your property?

Carrying identification on your person is obviously important. You wallet is the perfect place for a driver's licence, employee identification card, bank cards, etc. And while you might think that your social security card should live amongst these other cards, think again!

Just by carrying your social security card in your wallet, you put yourself at risk for losing it. A social security card is a personal document meant only for you and your employer. Never carry it in your wallet unless you need to show it to a new employer, or try to memorize your social security number so that you will always have it in your head.

If you lose your wallet or it gets stolen, someone has your entire identity in their hands, its like offering your identity up to identity thieves on a silver platter! If you fear your social security number has fallen into the wrong hands, monitor your credit report closely. You may also want to consider placing a 90-day fraud alert on your credit reports, or freezing your credit (not available in all states).

If you have evidence of actual or attempted identity theft, file a police report. Once you have the report you can request an extension of the fraud alert to 7 years. You will need to mail copies of the police report to the credit bureaus to qualify.

To report fraud or for more information, visit the government's social security website at www.ssa.gov/oig/guidelin.htm.

Help Me Howard Goes To Bat For Lonely Queens Community

Used cars are a great investment for today's economy, but make sure you're getting a car in good condition.

Check the Blue Book value of the car you might buy, as well as the value of the car you presently own. You can review used car values in the Kelley Blue Book Official Guide.

Bring any car you're considering to a mechanic you trust to be checked for any major repairs needed now or in the near future.

For a small fee you can obtain the complete history of a vehicle, including major damage or title defects, from Carfax at www.carfax.com. You may want to require the seller provide this report to you before completing the purchase.

The internet is a quick and easy way to find information to help you buy, sell, or trade a new or used car. The Federal Trade Commission has information on the "consumer" pages at its website: www.ftc.gov.

Other helpful websites include:

• www.edmunds.com

• www.consumersunion.com

• www.automotive.com

• www.carbuyingtips.com

• www.cars.com

It's something every renter has probably done or will do at one time or another in this city...pay a broker to find them an apartment. But what happens when that broker takes your money and doesn't do much else?

What would you do if Channel 11 gave you $1,000 in cash?

When suffering the death of a loved one, emotions can get in the way of clear thinking, so it sometimes helps to have a family member or friend handle the funeral details.

Families can sometimes save up to $2000 by doing a little comparison shopping and calling several funeral homes to get a good price.

Don't settle on the first one you talk to, shop around, get an idea of what the costs will be and how much you're willing to pay.

Using a credit card may work for you, if your card has a good rate, rather then paying off a balance and most funeral homes now accept credit cards as payment.

Insurance Death benefits are another way of handling expenses, but can be tricky if you don't understand how they work. When you bring the deceased's insurance policy with you, the funeral director calls the insurance company to make certain they'll pay the benefit, then you (the beneficiary named in the policy) sign forms granting the funeral director a portion of those benefits. You should never sign away any more than the good-faith estimate provided by the funeral. Funeral directors sometimes try to take control of the entire death benefit, keep their portion and return the rest, if any to you. Keep control of the benefits yourself.

Pre-paid Plans, while good, rarely cover all costs, so the best thing to do is to save the money in a special bank account yourself, do not hand it over to a funeral home to keep track off. If for any reason that funeral home goes out of business before you collect that money, you will probably never see it again.

And finally many cities set aside a budget to handle the burials of the homeless and very poor. Also MediCare & MedicAid have programs to assist qualified individuals to get a decent burial. Some churches may also have funds to help parishioners, so contact your local church for more information as well.

When you want to donate to a special cause, make sure your money gets spent the right way by investigating a charity in advance. Check with the IRS to ensure the charity qualifies as a valid 501c (non-profit) organization. If a charity is not listed with the IRS as a valid 501c organization, your donations will NOT be tax deductible, but that does not necessarily mean the organization isn't doing good work. Check with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org to see if they've received any complaints about the charity.

Charity Navigator at www.charitynavigator.org can tell you what rating they've given the charity. The rating encompasses factors like how efficiently the charity spends its funds. But remember that while not all charities are listed with the BBB or Charity Navigator, that doesn't mean they are necessarily irreputable. Many smaller charities just may not be listed.

You are entitled to receive one free credit report each year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies: Experian, TransUnion & Equifax. You can choose to order these free credit reports all at the same time, or order a different credit bureau's free report every few months (but only one time per year.)

You must order a free credit report through the Annual Credit Report clearing house online at: www.annualcreditreport.com.

You'll have to provide your social security number, date of birth and current address. The credit agencies also offer several additional options to choose from, including getting a credit score, but these options are not free. You do not have to buy any of the additional services to get the free credit report.

Once you've received a copy of your credit report, review it to make sure it is current and free from errors. If there are mistakes or outdated information on your credit report, you should write to the credit bureaus. The bureaus must, at no charge to you, investigate the disputed information. If an investigation doesn't resolve your dispute, you can ask that a statement of the dispute be included in your credit file and in future reports.

Many people first become aware that their credit report contains significant inaccuracies only when they're denied credit. The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives consumers certain rights.

• You must be told if information in your file has been used against you. Anyone who uses a credit report to deny your application for credit, insurance, or employment must tell you, and must give you the name, address, and phone number of the agency that provided the information.

• You have the right to ask for a credit score. Credit scoring is a system creditors use to help determine whether to give you credit, and how much to charge you for it. A high credit score indicates a good credit worthiness, and will qualify the score holder for loans at lower interest rates. You can obtain your credit score from the consumer reporting agencies, but you will have to pay for it.

• You have the right to know what is in your file. You may request and obtain all the information about you in the files of a consumer reporting agency. You will be required to provide proper identification, which may include your social security number.

You've found the right photographer to shoot your wedding, but how do you know he or she will do the job you paid for? Get it ALL in writing. Everything you want photographed needs to be specified in the contract. NEVER depend on a verbal agreement that the photog can stay a bit longer to photograph your wedding day, only to find out later that you got charged overtime. If it's not covered in the contract, don't expect it to happen. Too often brides and bridegrooms get overwhelmed with wedding details, that they overlook important details that can cost them.

The contract you sign with your wedding photographer should specify everything that you want and have paid for. If you want some pictures in color and some in black and white, specify how many and which ones; ceremony pictures? Reception pictures? It sounds like nit-picking, but a good photographer will expect that and should be cooperative. If he says don't worry, we'll take care of it on the day, you could be in for a nasty surprise.

Things that should be included on the contract include: The exact number of hours the photog will be expected to shoot, including start & end times. How many locations? How long at each location? The name of the photographer doing the shooting. How many roles of film will be used? color or black & white? Number of proofs you will receive and complete package details. Date the proofs will be ready. How long the photographer will keep your negatives. What is their overtime rate if they do stay late? What is their re-order price? What's their cancellation & refund policy?

In the event of equipment failure, will there be a back-up camera? And don't forget to get the photographer's signature as well. That contract is your legal agreement for what you are paying for and will help you if something goes wrong. Weddings have become such big business now that many companies are even offering "wedding insurance", so shop around for a decent price if you go that route. For more tips on booking a wedding photographer go to www.theknot.com.

If you haven't already noticed, my straw fedora is part of my new summer look. And though summer is winding down, I thought I might be able to sport one more look before hanging up my hats for the season. Check it out!

There's tons of internet companies that sell products and/or offer "safe" online transaction services. Payment options on online auction sites, for example, usually consist of payment by cash, personal check, money order, credit card, or checking account. You'll want to be especially cautious of paying online using your checking account information.

Vendors often advertise payment from your checking account because it allows customers the financial freedom of a debt-free transaction. Paying from your checking account also allows you to avoid credit card finance charges. Some companies even offer lower costs when customers pay directly from their checking accounts as opposed to credit cards.

But remember, handing out your bank account information leaves you vulnerable to fraudulent charges. Just as a company has the capability to credit your checking out with the money you made on a sale, they also have the information and access necessary to withdraw money from your account at a moments notice.

On the other hand, using a credit card when making online purchases protects you from fraudulent charges. You can always dispute a charge with your credit card company. But once money has been removed from your checking account, it's especially difficult to get that money re-deposited. So remember, when it comes to online shopping, it's best to pay with a credit card.

Is it illegal to have tints on your car window? Lots of people like the effect, but it might cost you in more ways than one.

What would you do if Channel 11 gave you $1,000 in cash?

Putting down a bid on a new home can be a complicated and tiresome process. I would always recommend hiring a lawyer to protect your best interests. But remember, using the seller's lawyer may present a conflict of interests.

Presumably, the seller has hired his/her lawyer to get them the highest price for their home. As the buyer, you'll want to hire your own lawyer so that you have someone to represent YOU, the buyer, in getting the best deal out there.

Consider getting a recommendation for a real estate attorney from friends or family. You can also contact your state's bar association for attorney contacts and legal advice.

If you're offered a special deal for a time-share that includes a free vacation with it, be very, very careful. Some time-shares these days are being marketed under less-then honest conditions. Free vacations or discounted trips are being used by some companies to draw in customers, then after they've made their purchase, the free offers never materialize.

If you are in the market for a time-share, be careful and do your homework first, if the "free' offer is what drew you to a time-share deal, that's not the way to do business.

Take a few precautions. If you receive a phone call or letter stating that you have won or qualify for a "free" or "discounted" trip, more then likely there will be strings attached.

Those strings are probably some kind of sales presentation or pitch pushing a time share deal. Resist the sales pitch and stick to well-known travel companies. Take the time to think any transaction thru and don't give in to sales pressures. Always be sceptical and don't believe anybody who uses these four words in their pitch; 'free', 'perfect', 'always' or 'never'. they do not exist.

And if you feel that you have been the victim of a time-share scam, you can file a complaint with the federal trade commission at www.ftc.org.

You may have to buckle down to save your house from going into foreclosure, here are some tips.

1. You may have to take a second job or rent out a room for the time being to make your mortgage payments.

2. See if your lender is willing to work with you regarding payments. Legitimate lenders will usually work with homeowners in finding a solution.

3. If your credit isn't affected yet, look into possible refinancing, but only if you're sure you can do it and your bank/lender thinks it's a good idea as well.

4. Get help from The Department of Housing & Urban Development, they have HUD approved counseling agencies that may help you avoid foreclosure www.hud.gov Or HomeSaversUSA might be able to help you work something out with your lender.

5. A bankruptcy attorney, familiar with foreclosure laws, can help you with issues like predatory lending and deciding if filing for bankruptcy is a good way to keep your home. Call the New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service. Dial 1-800-342-3661 or go to www.lawhelp.org/ny

Chances are you or someone you know has been laid off recently. These are tough times. But what do you do if you think your company fired you because of your age?

The economy may have taken a bite out of many people's savings, but funding a college education is still a possibility, you just have to look harder. The Federal Government has broadening their loan programs for students and increasing tax breaks for parents. First thing is to fill out a Free Application form for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Colleges require that form for deciding who receives financial aid, like merit scholarships, loans and grants. Submit the form to your child's school with a letter explaining your situation.

If your child already has an aid package and needs to increase it, check your college website or call them to see if there is a formal appeals process. If not, write to the college's director of financial aid and explain your case. Be honest about your financial situation and follow up with a phone call or brief visit. It's always a good idea to update the school's financial aid office whenever your income or net worth drops.

Before taking out a bank loan, look into Federal Student Loans your child may be eligible for. After filling out the FAFSA, look into low-interest loans like the Federal Perkins Loan Program that go to students with the most financial need. The Stafford loans are the most common student loans, which are supposed to have better terms then private bank loans.

If Staffords loans don't cover everything, look into the government's PLUS Loan Program. PLUS loans allow you to borrow for the full cost of a dependent child's college education, minus any financial aid. Leave private bank loans as a last choice.

For more information on these programs and others go to the student aid website www.FinAid.org.

Lucretia DiGiallardo says she is living next door to a giant construction pit of hell.

We've all seen hundreds of advertisements for "Make $$$ from Your Home!" jobs. You should see a huge red flag if the would-be employer expects you to pay out of pocket for supplies, computer software, training sessions, etc. Choosing to submit your personal account information could open you up to the headache of recurring charges when you purchase something from a would-be employer.

Most recently, a company by the name of "Google Money Tree" has been luring in victims, promising to show people how to make some extra cash from their home computers by turning Google into an ATM of sorts. Like many others, victims of the Google Money Tree scam are getting hit with re-occuring charges after submitting their account information to purchase a $1 to $4 start-up kit.

So remember, today's challenging economy presents just another opportunity to play on consumers' financial worries. Stay alert and think before you click!

So you finally decided on some new furniture. You're going to be sitting pretty with the pieces you picked out. Not! You can't seem to get it delivered! And then it gets worse!

What would you do if Channel 11 gave you $1,000 in cash?

Donating your used vehicle to charity is a great way to avoid the hassles associated with selling it, and score a tax deduction at the same time. But there are a few pitfalls to be aware of...

1) Avoid Middlemen: Many for-profit intermediary organizations advertise their services to help you donate your car. What they don't tell you is that these kinds of organizations typically keep about 50 to 90 percent of the vehicle's value for themselves, leaving the charity with very little.

2) Know the status of your recipient: In order for you to qualify for a deduction, the charity that gets your donation must be an IRS-approved 501(c)organization. Your church, synagogue, mosque or temple probably qualifies, but check first just to be sure.

3) Transfer the vehicle title over to your charity directly: To make sure you don't run up parking tickets and other violations on the car, formally re-title the vehicle to the charity. Then report the transfer to your state's department of motor vehicles or licensing. NEVER agree to leave the ownership space on the charity donation papers blank.

4) Get a receipt for how much your charity sold your car for: If your car is worth more than $500, the IRS is going to want to see evidence of how much the charity got for it. (Most charities that accept these donations turn around and sell them for cash.) You'll need to get a receipt and any other paperwork from the sale in order to get your tax break.

5) Find a worthy charity: If the charities you normally support aren't equipped to accept such donations, do some research online through the Better Business Bureau til you find a reputable charity that is.

Toys R Us has launched a trade-in program for potentially unsafe used cribs and other baby gear. The program runs from August 28th to September 20. All "Babies R Us" and "Toys R Us" stores nationwide will accept returns of any used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems and high chairs.

In exchange shoppers will get 20% off the purchase of a new item in those product categories, from select manufacturers.

The trade-in offer's aim is to educate consumers that certain baby items should not be re-used or re-sold. Very few recalled baby products are ever actually returned, which means that many dangerous products remain in circulation, getting handed down thru families or sold at garage sales.

According to the advocacy group "Kids In Danger," 103 juvenile products, including cribs, strollers and toys have been recalled just in this year alone!

For more information on the Toys R Us recall offer go to www.toysrus.com and and to find out if any child products in your home are on a recall list go to www.recalls.gov.

Local Performer Needs Howard's Intervention To Get Paid