2 weeks ago
51 – How to Hire a Reliable Roofer
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor
Roofing work is expensive. If you hire the wrong contractor, you can overspend by thousands of dollars and still get terrible work done. It takes time to find a good roofer who will do the job for the best price—you don’t just hire the first company that gives you an estimate.
In this episode, we’ll explain how to find a reliable roofing company, how to review proposals for that job, and how to compare warranties. Plus, ways to avoid getting ripped off by a shady contractor.
Read Checkbook’s full report on roofers, including unbiased ratings and price comparisons.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
4 weeks ago
50 – Finding a Credit Card That’s Right for You
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Sara Rathner - Credit Cards Expert at NerdWallet; Ted Rossman - Senior Industry Analyst at Bankrate.com
The market is flooded with credit card offers, and some of the signup bonuses are mighty appealing. But slow down—applying for a credit card is something that shouldn’t be rushed. You need to cut through the marketing hype and understand all the terms, conditions, and fees. If you’re not careful, you could choose a card that hurts your financial well-being.
In this episode: How to shop for a credit card—things you should do before you apply for any card, and what to look for when comparing offers. Plus: Is a rewards card really right for you? And how a balance transfer card might help you pay down a large balance on another card.
Additional Resources:
How to Pick the Right Credit Card
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
1 month ago
49 – Shop Like a Pro
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Jamie Lettis - Checkbook Associate Editor
Whether you enjoy shopping or just grin and bear it, there are things you can do to score the best prices and make the process easier.
In this episode, we explain how to ignore the flood of marketing hype and avoid the fake sales designed to mislead you. Also, where to find hidden discounts and cash-back offers, and the potential downsides of using buy now, pay later.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
2 months ago
48 – How will Scammers Use AI?
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Chester Wisniewski – Field Chief Technology Officer for Applied Research at Sophos; Lorrie Cranor – Director of the CyLab Security and Privacy Institute at Carnegie Mellon University; Brett Johnson – A Cyber Security Consultant and Former Identity Thief
Artificial intelligence has been around for decades, but the world changed in November with the introduction of ChatGPT, the AI app that lets anyone harness the power of this amazing supercomputing technology—including criminals.
In this episode, a look at how fraudsters might be able to use AI to their benefit. Will it change the types of scams they create or simply make it easier for them to fool us? Can AI companies make it harder for crooks to use their technology against us? Can the good guys use AI to fight fraud more effectively?
Special guests: Chester Wisniewski, Field Chief Technology Officer for Applied Research at Sophos, the global digital security company. Lorrie Cranor, Director of the CyLab Security and Privacy Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Brett Johnson, a convicted cyber-criminal who stole millions, and now works as a digital security consultant.
Additional Resources:
Identity and Cyber Theft: How to Protect Yourself
Cyber Crime: A Former Cyber Crook Explains How to Protect Yourself
Stop, Thief! How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
2 months ago
47 – Guide to Buying New Windows
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor
Today’s windows are technological marvels. They provide better insulation, reduce drafts, are easier to clean, and help lower home energy bills. But all these benefits come with very high price tags.
Window companies generate numerous complaints about high-pressure sales tactics and substandard installation. Checkbook cautions that some companies greatly over-promise the energy savings that will result from their windows.
In this episode, Kevin Brasler, Checkbook’s executive editor, cuts through the marketing hype, compares the pros and cons of various types of windows, and explains how to find a reliable contractor.
Additional Resources:
Buying & Installing New Windows
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
3 months ago
46 – Health Apps & Websites Often Share Your Data
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Pam Dixon - Executive Director, World Privacy Forum; Jen Caltrider - a privacy researcher at the Mozilla Foundation
Wearable devices, health apps, and online medical resources can help us stay fit and healthy. They also collect highly personal information that you might assume is confidential. In most cases, this data can be—and often is—shared and sold without your knowledge or permission.
In this episode, how to tell if your health information is protected by the federal privacy law known as HIPAA, and what to do before you use medical apps, smart devices, or go online for medical advice. We talk with Pam Dixon, executive director of World Privacy Forum, and Jen Caltrider, a privacy researcher at the Mozilla Foundation.
Additional Resource:
Health Tracking Apps and Other Tech Might Be Invading Your Privacy
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
4 months ago
45 – Even ‘Good’ Companies Often Treat Their Customers Poorly
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Adam Levin - Consumer advocate, digital privacy expert, and host of the “What the Hack?” podcast
“Buyer beware!” It’s more important than ever for you to heed this warning when buying goods and services. Consumers’ Checkbook regularly reports on scams and shameful selling practices that continue to become more rampant. Unfortunately, even “reputable” businesses treat consumers unfairly, often by using new technologies.
In this episode, we discuss how many companies prioritize profits ahead of their customers—and what you can do to fight back.
Special Guest: Adam Levin, consumer advocate, digital privacy expert, and host of the “What the Hack?” podcast
Additional Resources:
FTC Accuses Amazon of Tricking Millions into Joining Prime
Amazon and Microsoft Charged with Violating Children’s Privacy Law
FTC Rule Would Make it Easier to Cancel Unwanted Subscriptions
30 Tricks Sellers Use to Make You Pay Up
Consumerpedia, Episode 43: How the CFPB Protects You
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
4 months ago
44 – Should You Repair or Replace a Broken Appliance?
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor
Sooner or later all appliances will need to be repaired or replaced. But when the fridge is on the fritz or the oven is burnt out, how do you decide what to do? New home appliances are expensive, but it’s not always easy to know how much repair work will cost.
In this episode, how to decide whether to fix what you have or buy something new. When it’s time to go shopping we have advice on how to avoid the misleading sales hype to get a real deal.
Read Checkbook’s full reports on appliance repair services and appliance stores.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
5 months ago
43 – The CFPB: Protecting Consumers in the Financial Marketplace
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Brian Shearer - Senior Advisor to the CFPB Director
The Consumer Financial Bureau (CFPB) is one of the newest federal regulatory agencies. Its prime directive is to ensure that financial products offered to you are fair, transparent, and competitive. The CFPB’s jurisdiction includes mortgages, auto loans, student loans, credit cards, credit reporting, and debt collection.
In this episode, a look at the initiatives and proposed rules in the pipeline that you should know about and may want to comment on. Also, how the CFPB is working to eliminate junk fees and how it might be able to help if you feel cheated or deceived by a company it regulates.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
5 months ago
42 – An Electric Vehicle Update
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Paul Eisenstein - Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, The DetroitBureau.com; Alex Knizek - Manager, Auto Testing & Insights, Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center; Ronald Montoya - Senior Consumer Advice Editor, Edmunds
In the last year or so, we’re finally beginning to see a robust market for electric vehicles. More manufacturers are now in the game, which provides buyers with more choices. So, should you go electric now, or wait, or maybe split the difference and go hybrid?
In this episode, find out about the latest EV options, how federal tax credits might help lower prices, and why leasing may be a smart move right now. Also, how reliable are the new EVs, and what’s happening to increase the number of charging stations?
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
Meet The Host
Herb Weisbaum
Herb Weisbaum is one of America’s top consumer experts. He’s been protecting people across the country for more than 40 years.
Herb is a contributing editor at Checkbook.org, and publisher of ConsumerMan.com.
During his distinguished career, Herb has covered the consumer beat for NBC News Digital, NBC’s TODAY Show and CBS News.
A five-time Emmy-award winner, Herb’s dedication to protecting consumers has been honored by the Consumer Federation of America, the National Consumers League, United Press International, and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Herb is a graduate of the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.