60 - Avoid a Big Cell Phone Bill When Traveling Abroad

April 4, 2024

60 – Avoid a Big Cell Phone Bill When Traveling Abroad

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor; Dani Dredger - Checkbook Senior Manager of Digital Marketing

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

leisure, technology, travel

Related Episodes

October 23, 2025

95 – Cryptocurrency: Coins, Cons, & Chaos

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): 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.

finance, money, technology

October 9, 2025

94 – Our Editors’ Favorite Websites & Apps

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): 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.

auto, finance, home, leisure, saving money, shopping, technology, travel

June 12, 2025

88 – Cyberthieves Weaponize AI to Perfect Online Scams

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): 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.

AI, technology

May 15, 2025

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

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): 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.

leisure, saving money, travel

March 6, 2025

81 – Algorithms Secretly Control Your Financial Fate

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Susan Weinstock - CEO of Consumer Federation of America; Jennifer Chien - senior policy counsel, Consumer Reports’ financial fairness team

An increasing number of important decisions about your life are now made by computer algorithms and artificial intelligence. They do more than suggest movies or music you might like—they’re making lending decisions for banks and screening job applicants for employers.

Consumer advocates acknowledge the benefits of AI, but they’re also concerned about the potential harm. They want lawmakers and regulators to put guardrails in place to protect consumers.

In this episode, the many ways companies are now using algorithms and AI, how these powerful computer programs make the marketplace less transparent—and, in some cases, less fair—and how the massive amount of data being collected and used to make decisions about lending, employment, housing, and insurance coverage can infringe on privacy rights.

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

AI, technology

December 12, 2024

76 – Fake Reviews Are Everywhere

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Jason Brown – founder of ReviewFraud.org; Michael Ostheimer – Federal Trade Commission; Teresa Muray, Consumer Watchdog at U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Great reviews are good for business, so some dishonest companies post fake reviews to boost their ratings. It’s a growing problem. This flood of deceptive reviews makes it challenging to get objective information about the products or services you plan to buy.

In this episode: The ways companies can game the system, a new FTC rule designed to clean-up the marketplace, and ways you can spot potentially bogus reviews and testimonials.

More Info from U.S. PIRG:

⁠How to recognize fake online reviews of products and services⁠

Additional Resources from Checkbook:

⁠Shop Safely Online This Holiday Season (and All Year Long)⁠

⁠Shop Like a Pro This Holiday Season: Score the Best Prices with Less Stress⁠

⁠Don’t Overspend This Holiday Shopping Season⁠

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

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

technology