Let’s look into The Watchdog’s mailbag. Thoughts from readers — I call them citizens of Watchdog Nation — on recent reports.

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Real people. Real letters. Permission to use full names was granted. They are edited for space.

Dear Watchdog: “We’re traveling to Dallas next week and staying at a local hotel. The bill contains a line item labeled ‘Mandatory Free $7.15.’ No explanation. Nothing. I’ll ask when I get there, but I am puzzled. Once again the world is picking on old people.” — John Genung of Tyler

The answer: John wrote back to say it’s a 2% tourist fee charged by Dallas hotels. He added, “I think it’s a Federal Trade Commission rule that any such charges must be explained on the bill.”

Broken insurance

Dear Watchdog: There were several issues with our insurance provider which begged for common sense and pure decency. To say the insurance model is broken is an understatement. To say the latitude and power of the agents who process the claims have to cause homeowners to simply give up is by any standard unacceptable. We learned that our locally based agency, which is run by good solid people, is powerless in these situations. — Rob Engels of Plano

Stolen gift cards

Dear Watchdog: I purchased a couple of gift cards. While registering one of the cards ($50) I was amazed to discover it had no available balance. Someone used the entire amount at Best Buy three months before I purchased it. A week ago, I decided to activate the $25 card. Given the difficulty I had replacing the $50 card, I’m loathe to run through the grease a second time for a measly $25. I think gift cards are scary just for that reason. — GM Bowen of Denton

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Watch the postmark

Dear Watchdog: I’m writing to make you aware of one small red flag that is visible before you even open a suspicious envelope. It’s the postmark. Any mail that contains any personal information other than the address must be postmarked and sent with First Class postage. If the postmark says “Presorted Standard Mail,” it is almost always a solicitation and probably should be discarded upon arrival. There are predators who will pay First Class to evade the regulation but it’s rare. — Ron Heathcott of Arlington

Junk mail

Thank you for your story on the unethical junk mail targeting seniors. I faced these challenges as my parents aged. They had two lawn care companies providing the same service. A local church sent compelling letters to my mom who sent them money every month although she never went to church as she aged. And it was not a church of her denomination. As my wife and I age, I worry about this for us, and I believe we will at some point just have to unplug. I don’t know how people make a living preying on the elderly. — Jim Wetrich of Southlake

Robocalls

Dear Watchdog: I put up with daily irritations, but this has broken we down. For the last six weeks I have been getting six to eight calls a day from different people (robots mainly) trying to send me a “cash back plan” from Medicare A and B. They use local phone numbers similar to the ones I know. When you call back the number, you get nothing. If you wait long enough and get a real person and ask them to stop, they hang up.
Note: Contact your phone provider and ask them about what anti-spam services they offer to their customers. — David Tripplehorn of Dallas

Press holiday

Dear Watchdog: Happy World Press Freedom Day (May 3). There were celebrations in many parts of the world, but alas, none I found in the U.S. Democracy stands on three legs: the people, the government and a free press. Don’t get all your news from an algorithm. Find reputable sources with real professional journalists and support them however you can. — Tanda Rasco of Dallas

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