WRDW-TV News 12 / On Your Side - Consumer help for Augusta, Georgia

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News 12 On Your Side: Facecrooks Attacking Facebookers
Last Updated: 9:51 PM 02/09/12 - Facecrooks are preying on Facebookers frusterated with the new timeline feature.
News 12 On Your Side: Landlord Refuses to Honor Lease Agreement
Last Updated: 5:23 PM 02/08/12 - A landlord refuses to return deposit.
News 12 On Your Side: 12 on 12 Consumer "Must Knows"
Last Updated: 12:11 AM 02/08/12 - Do you know your rights as a consumer? News 12 has the top twelve things "Consumer Reports" lists as "must knows" for consumers.
Bus driver under investigation after kids claim he threatened to kill them
Last Updated: 7:55 PM 02/03/12 - School officials are now speaking to News 12 about allegations involving a Columbia County bus driver making threats to elementary students.
Michael Foods widens egg recall
Last Updated: 12:08 PM 02/03/12 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the eggs were produced at Michael Foods' plant in Wakefield, Neb., and were bought by food distributors and manufacturers.
12 On Your Side: Parents outraged at school officials for not calling after alleged bus incident
Last Updated: 8:56 PM 02/02/12 - Parents say bus driver threatened to kill their children after taking them on a wild ride.
12 On Your Side: Instant Tax Service under more investigation
Last Updated: 7:24 PM 01/31/12 - The Governor's Office of Consumer Protection is now investigating Instant Tax Service after an On Your Side investigation into the Augusta location.
12 On Your Side: More details emerge in T-Mobile employee-run scheme
Last Updated: 7:50 PM 01/27/12 - An internal investigator with T-Mobile tipped off deputies to the case in December.
12 On Your Side: BBB investigating Instant Tax Service
Last Updated: 7:36 PM 01/25/12 - Viewers' complaints about a local tax company spurs an investigation by the Better Business Bureau.
12 On Your Side: National phishing scam hits local business owners
Last Updated: 7:16 PM 01/24/12 - The best way to avoid phishing scams is to make sure you have a good anti-virus system on your computer.
12 On Your Side: Students will wait longer for reimbursements
Last Updated: 8:21 PM 01/20/12 - Students at Augusta Tech will wait longer for student aid because of a change in the way the school reimburses them.
12 On Your Side: PTO treasurer with criminal history did not have background check
Last Updated: 8:14 PM 01/18/12 - North Augusta Middle School PTO treasurer has criminal history of stealing money.
12 On Your Side: Warming your vehicle could cause fires
Last Updated: 8:20 PM 01/16/12 - As the temperature drops, the dangers of keeping warm rise. Firefighters say a block heater could possibly be responsible for a fire that destroyed several vehicles earlier this month.
12 On Your Side: North Augusta students speak out against 'burn book'
Last Updated: 8:00 PM 01/13/12 - North Augusta High School students are speaking out against a website created to bully classmates.
12 On Your Side: Local high school 'burn book' creates tension, law enforcement called
Last Updated: 8:13 PM 01/12/12 - School officials call law enforcement after learning about a Facebook page named the "North Augusta High School Burn Book," which students used to bully classmates.
Coca-Cola says it alerted FDA about fungicide
Last Updated: 11:49 AM 01/12/12 - Coca-Cola Co. says it alerted the Food and Drug Administration after it found some Brazilian growers had sprayed their orange trees with a fungicide that is not approved for use in the U.S.
12 On Your Side: Renter finds herself in foreclosure, forced to move
Last Updated: 8:23 PM 01/11/12 - A woman is forced to move after finding out the home she just leased was foreclosed on.
12 On Your Side: Woman outraged after car lot fails to check for ID
Last Updated: 7:28 PM 01/09/12 - A woman is outraged a local car lot deposited her check after she says someone stole it.
12 On Your Side: Knowing your rights as pet owners
Last Updated: 7:07 PM 01/06/12 - A dog owner is upset after his puppy died. He claims his vet told him to either give up the dog or pay up. His vet says the owner misunderstood his options.
12 On Your Side: Adult performers complain about working without heat
Last Updated: 7:15 PM 01/03/12 - Adult entertainers say they have been working without heat for weeks at an Augusta club.
12 On Your Side: Parents complain about doll using foul language
Last Updated: 7:38 PM 12/30/11 - The company told News 12 in a statement: "We do not sell dolls that curse. We have no plans to take it off the shelf."
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12 On Your Side: Online auto sale scam targets local man
Last Updated: 7:29 PM 12/29/11 - A local man warns others after someone overseas scammed him of thousands of dollars.
12 On Your Side: Best Buy cancels online orders before Christmas
Last Updated: 7:33 PM 12/23/11 - It wasn't the Grinch who stole Christmas but Best Buy. The company canceled online orders just days before the holiday.
12 On Your Side: Lawsuit filed against Terror Town owner, managers
Last Updated: 7:13 PM 12/22/11 - A lawsuit is filed against the owner and managers of Terror Town for unpaid work.
Tyson recalls ground beef from stores nationwide
Last Updated: 11:28 AM 12/20/11 - E. coli O157:H7 is a bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure.
12 On Your Side: Maximizing your tax returns before Jan. 1
Last Updated: 7:47 PM 12/19/11 - Taxpayers only have a few days left to get more money back on their tax returns.
12 On Your Side: Is your holiday gift a flop? Here's how to save it!
Last Updated: 9:02 PM 12/16/11 - Three out of ten gifts will be returned this holiday season so shoppers need to prepare now.
12 On Your Side: Deputies worry there could be more victims in principal sex scandal
Last Updated: 7:34 PM 12/15/11 - Deputies and SLED continue to investigate accusations against a former high school principal.
Local golf cart company recalls specialty vehicles
Last Updated: 12:40 PM 12/15/11 - E-Z-GO and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have an recall alert for owners of some specialty golf carts.
12 On Your Side: Watch out for skimming devices at gas pumps
Last Updated: 7:05 PM 12/13/11 - Holiday travelers need to keep an eye out for skimming devices that steal your personal information at the pump.
12 On Your Side: Lawsuit names Richmond Co. schools, former teacher
Last Updated: 7:04 PM 12/12/11 - The lawyers for the parents of a Tobacco Road Elementary student filed the lawsuit this month.
12 On Your Side: Local deputies investigating dozens of T-Mobile employees for fraud
Last Updated: 7:38 PM 12/08/11 - Authorities are investigating claims that dozens of T-Mobile employees tricked their employer out of about $200,000.
12 On Your Side: Warning about Eco Solar Shield, United Save Energy Association
Last Updated: 7:37 PM 12/07/11 - The Better Business Bureau reports they received up to six calls a day from consumers inquiring about the company.
Club Car recalls 600 golf carts due to fuel leaks
Last Updated: 3:52 PM 12/07/11 - The company says the tank's seam can separate, letting fuel leak out and causing a fire hazard.
12 On Your Side: Investigation shows many home child care providers not in compliance with law
Last Updated: 7:54 PM 12/05/11 - An investigation shows many family child care home providers in our area are not taking a state required training course.
Plant recalls sandwiches sold to Ga. gas stations
Last Updated: 12:00 PM 12/05/11 - A Chicago-based prepackaged food manufacturer is recalling sandwiches distributed to Race Trac gas stations in Georgia because of a possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
12 On Your Side: Trouble in Toyland Report released
Last Updated: 8:15 PM 12/02/11 - According to Trouble in Toyland, over the past two decades, 200 children have died from choking on toys.
12 On Your Side: Discount travel websites may collect extra charges
Last Updated: 9:53 PM 12/01/11 - Discount travel websites can offer deals, but you need to read the fine print before booking your ticket home.
BBB warning homeowners about chimney sweep scams
Last Updated: 7:56 PM 11/29/11 - Before the cooler temperatures set in and you crank up the fire place, firefighters are urging homeowners to get their chimneys inspected.
12 On Your Side: Pet medication shortage could put your dog at risk
Last Updated: 8:31 PM 11/29/11 - In the past, veterinarians could give a dog a pill and the heartworms would die. Not anymore.
12 On Your Side: Owner of Second Life Recycling speaks out
Last Updated: 8:24 PM 11/28/11 - The owner of Second Life Recycling speaks out after a News 12 investigation.
12 On Your Side: BBB warns of scammers running 'Dear Santa' websites
Last Updated: 7:23 PM 11/25/11 - The Better Business Bureau warns parents to watch out for some "Dear Santa" websites.
Special Assignment: 911 abusers cost county money, time
Last Updated: 7:51 PM 11/23/11 - It's possibly the most important number you could ever dial, but some people are abusing 911. The cost is not measured in money but in lives.
12 News On Your Side: Parent pox parties causing concern
Last Updated: 8:30 PM 11/21/11 - Parents who are opposed to the chickenpox vaccine are taking extreme steps to expose their children to the virus. The growing popularity of pox parties is creating a concern among the medical community.
Ga.-based company recalls sugar canisters
Last Updated: 4:16 PM 11/18/11 - Customers affected are asked to call Diamond Crystal Brands at 800-654-5115 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
12 On Your Side: National wiring scam hits local woman
Last Updated: 8:08 PM 11/18/11 - A local 84-year-old woman was scammed out of thousands of dollars thanks to a national wiring scam.
12 On Your Side: Buying Thanksgiving food without breaking your budget
Last Updated: 7:26 PM 11/17/11 - How to buy Thanksgiving on a budget.
12 On Your Side: Ga. Department of Labor investigating Terror Town
Last Updated: 7:04 PM 11/15/11 - An anonymous complaint was made to the Georgia Department of Labor that children as young as 14 were working without a state required worker's permit and past required hours.
12 On Your Side: Terror Town teens not paid for work
Last Updated: 7:43 PM 11/14/11 - Dozens of teens are outraged saying they are not being paid for their work at a local haunted house.
12 On Your Side: Black Friday sales start early this year
Last Updated: 6:42 PM 11/11/11 - Some stores in town are already offering pre-Black Friday discounts, so you might want to scoop up the sales while you can.

News 12's Call for Action Office is seeking more volunteers.

Call for Action is a consumer advocacy group that works out of News 12 to help viewers solve consumer issues. Volunteers take calls Tuesdays and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you would like to become a volunteer, call (803) 442-4550 (Tuesday or Wednesday) or email callforaction@wrdw.com.

onyourside@wrdw.com
P.O. Box 1212
Augusta, Georgia 30903-1212
Phone: (803) 278-1212 ext. 450
Fax: (803) 442-4561

At WRDW News 12, we receive hundreds of phone calls and letters weekly from people with consumer problems. Many situations can be resolved with a simple phone call. Here is a "printer-friendly list" of Consumer Agencies and Phone Numbers.

For a list of recent recalls, visit Recalls.gov, your online resource for recalls.

Click here to visit Mouseprint.org, a site that exposes misleading advertising and marketing materials.

Click here to visit ConsumerAffairs.com, an independent Web-based consumer news and resource center.

Click here to sign up for free vehicle recall alerts.

If you think you may be the victim of identity theft, click here to visit the Federal Trade Commission's website.

Click here to report an Internet crime.