Consumerpedia
Podcast
From auto repair shops to doctors to plumbers to vets, you can count on Checkbook to help you find the best service—and avoid the worst. Our podcast features advice from experts that empowers consumers to save money and make smarter choices.
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January 11, 2024
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor
You don’t necessarily have to join a gym to get more exercise—there are scads of other workout options, many of which are free. If you decide that joining a club is the best choice for you, shop around and avoid making any long-term financial commitments. The fitness industry thrives on good intentions, but most consumers who join gyms stop using them regularly after only a few weeks or months, yet they continue paying their dues.
In this episode: Tips on how to find the best gym or fitness center, how to avoid the common marketing tricks and traps used by salespeople, and what to look for when reviewing membership contracts.
Read Checkbook’s full report on gyms and fitness centers.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
December 14, 2023
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Teresa Murray - Consumer Watchdog, U.S. PIRG; R.J. Cross - Director of PIRG’s Don’t Sell My Data Campaign
Smart toys are cool. With their onboard cameras, microphones, and sensors… plus the ability to pair with other devices or connect to the internet, they can do some amazing things. They can also collect data on your child—including pictures and what they say—and send that information back to the toy company. So, parents need to think carefully about whether to buy these toys. And if so, how to make sure they’re used safely by their children.
In this episode, we’ll look at the privacy and security risks created by this data collection and sharing, and how parents can mitigate that risk. We’ll also give you a checklist of things to look for before buying smart toys, and what to do once you get them home.
November 30, 2023
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): John Breyault - A Vice President at the National Consumers League; Melissa Lanning Trumpower - Executive Director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust
While convenient, online shopping can be risky. E-commerce creates all sorts of new opportunities for cyber criminals to do their dirty work, so you need to be careful. U.S. consumers reported losing $358 million to online scams last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
In this episode, we talk to John Breyault, a vice president at the National Consumers League, and Melissa Lanning Trumpower, executive director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, about how to spot the tricks con artists use to fool you and how you can protect yourself. Also, the smart way to pay when shopping online, and how to fight back against porch pirates.
Additional Resources:
Tips for reducing your risk of fraud this holiday shopping season
BBB Scam Tracker is a free tool anyone can use to report suspected scams. Your reports warn others so they can avoid similar cons.
Fraud victims can report scams to the National Consumers League’s Fraud.org website. This information is shared with a network of 100 law enforcement partners across the U.S. and Canada.
Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support
November 16, 2023
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
November 2, 2023
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
October 19, 2023
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
October 5, 2023
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
September 21, 2023
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
September 7, 2023
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
August 10, 2023
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
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.