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April 4, 2024

60 – Avoid a Big Cell Phone Bill When Traveling Abroad

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor; Dani Dredger - Checkbook Senior Manager of Digital Marketing
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Travel outside the U.S. and you’ll need to make sure your cell phone works wherever you’re headed. With a little advance planning, you can also lower the cost of using your phone on that trip—in some cases, by $100 a line a week or more.

In this episode, what the major phone companies charge to use their roaming services when you’re in a foreign country, and how to pay less by switching to a local wireless carrier at your destination. Plus, the pros and cons of turning off your cell service and relying on Wi-Fi.

Read Checkbook’s full report on how to save money while using a phone internationally.

Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Related Episodes

March 26, 2026

105 – 10 Tips to Fight Fraud

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Amy Nofziger – AARP Fraud Watch Network; John Breyault – Fraud.org

Fraud is on the rise. Scammers stole more than $12 billion in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The number of Americans who are victimized is also skyrocketing. Investment scams, romance scams, crypto scams, and imposter scams are driving much of the increase.

Criminals around the globe have a powerful new tool to use against you: artificial intelligence. AI can make their cons more polished and personal, so you need to be on guard more than ever.

In this episode, we’ll explain how you can fight back: 10 things you can do to reduce your chances of falling prey to a fraudster. And we have two expert fraud fighters taking part in this discussion.

More Info:

⁠Deep Fake Challenge 2025⁠

⁠AI PSA (Show this to Uncle Frank before he shares another fake video!)⁠

More from Checkbook:

⁠Fraud Prevention: Top 10 Ways to Protect Yourself ⁠

⁠Credit Cards Have Consumer Protection Superpowers

⁠Scam Alert: Fake Loan Approval Robocalls⁠

⁠Why It’s Safer to Use a Credit Card Than a Debit Card, Especially for Online Purchases⁠

⁠Virtual Credit Cards Help Fight Fraud⁠

⁠Don’t Ignore All Those Data Breach Notices Companies Send You⁠

Related Consumerpedia episodes:

#88 – ⁠Cyberthieves Weaponize AI to Perfect Online Scams⁠

#11 – ⁠Stop, Thief! How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft⁠

#5 – ⁠Cyber Crime: A Former Cyber Crook Explains How to Protect Yourself⁠

December 18, 2025

99 – How Marketers Target & Sometimes Trick Kids

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Bonnie Patten - Executive Director, Truth in Advertising (TINA.ORG); Dona Fraser - Senior Vice President, BBB National Programs

America’s children have enormous spending power. Most have cash or access to their parents’ credit cards—and plenty of influence over what the family buys through their “pester power.” Marketers know this, which is why they spend billions of dollars a year targeting minors.

Advertising can easily exploit a child’s limited ability to distinguish between entertainment and selling. AI and digital animation make it easier than ever for advertisers to cross the line. The growth of online marketing to children raises serious concerns about privacy and data collection.

In this episode, what’s being done to protect our children from the pervasive and persuasive marketing? What are the rules regarding marketing to minors, and is anyone enforcing them?  And most importantly, how parents can talk to their kids about advertising.

Additional Resources:

Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU)

BBB National Programs – Children’s Initiatives

TINA.org: Monetizing Minors

More from Checkbook:

Unsafe Toys: How to Spot the Hidden Risks That Could Harm Your Child

Are Your Kids’ Smart Toys Spying on Them?

Buying Toys on Overseas Websites Can Be Risky

Related Consumerpedia Episode: 20 – Whatever Happened to Truth in Advertising?

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

October 23, 2025

95 – Cryptocurrency: Coins, Cons, & Chaos

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Amanda Fisher - Policy Director and COO of Better Markets and former Chief of Staff at the SEC; Corey Frayer - Director of Investor Protection at the Consumer Federation of America and former senior advisor at the SEC

Despite lingering concerns about volatility, scams, and lax regulatory oversight, cryptocurrency has evolved from a digital curiosity into a mainstream financial asset. About 28% of U.S. adults now hold some form of digital currency. Major financial firms and banks are increasingly offering crypto to their clients, and a growing number of merchants now accept crypto payments.

Consumer advocates worry about the “gold rush” mentality that’s taking place as millions try to cash in on the boom, seemingly unconcerned about the potential bust.

In this episode: What’s crypto, how does it work, and why are people buying a currency that’s virtually unregulated? We’ll explain “meme coins” and “stable coins.” Plus, is crypto as secure as we’re led to believe? (Spoiler alert: It’s not!)

Additional Resources:
NerdWallet: Cryptocurrency Basics: Pros, Cons, and How It Works

Bankrate: About 78% of Americans say they’re uncomfortable investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Here’s why

Related Consumerpedia Episode: Episode 81: Algorithms Secretly Control Your Financial Fate

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

October 9, 2025

94 – Our Editors’ Favorite Websites & Apps

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor; Jamie Lettis - Checkbook Associate Editor

Checkbook’s editors and researchers love to save you time and money, and they use a broad range of consumer-oriented websites and apps to do so.

In this episode, we’ll highlight some of their favorites and why they find them to be valuable tools.

More from Checkbook: Our Editors’ Favorite Websites and Apps

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

June 12, 2025

88 – Cyberthieves Weaponize AI to Perfect Online Scams

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Ben Winters - Director of AI and Privacy at Consumer Federation of America; Kolina Koltai - Senior Researcher at Bellingcat

Criminals in the U.S. and around the globe are weaponizing artificial intelligence to create scams that are more convincing and more harmful than ever. As AI technology advances, it’s becoming difficult or nearly impossible for the average consumer to tell what’s real from what’s fake.

AI is being used to create bogus celebrity endorsements, fake images, and even write books by non-existent authors. The technology is so easy to use that scammers can pose as someone else and have video conversations with their targets.

In this episode, we’ll explain how fraudsters are using AI to supercharge their deceptions and share tips on how you can protect yourself.

Additional Resources:

⁠Scamplified: How Unregulated AI Continues to Help Facilitate the Rise in Scams⁠

⁠Don’t Get Scammed! Tips For Spotting AI-Generated Fake Products Online⁠

More from Checkbook:

⁠Identity Theft and Fraud: How to Protect Yourself ⁠

⁠Fraud Alert: Criminals Pitch Bogus Cryptocurrency Investments⁠

⁠Social Media Scams Are Skyrocketing. Here’s How to Protect Yourself⁠⁠

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

May 15, 2025

86 – Travel Tips: How to Find Deals and Avoid Scams

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Christopher Elliott - Syndicated Travel Columnist

Travel is always a hassle, but this year, it comes with some added twists. There’s growing uncertainty about the economy, and concerns about being an American tourist in a foreign country. Will you be welcome?

In this episode: What to expect when booking flights, hotel rooms, or vacation rentals; how to spot travel scams that can ruin your vacation and cost you a bundle; and tips on how to be a respectful and responsible tourist when visiting other countries.

Other Consumerpedia travel episodes:

#60: Avoid a Big Cell Phone Bill When Traveling Abroad
#41: Hotel Intel: Finding the Best Rates
#17: How to Find the Best Deals on Airfare

Additional Resources:

Visit The Elliott Report to read Christopher Elliott’s travel reports and advice. His nonprofit Elliott Advocacy empowers consumers to solve their own problems and helps those who can’t.

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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