{"id":285,"date":"2026-05-08T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=285"},"modified":"2026-05-08T12:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T12:01:00","slug":"watchdog-nation-members-weigh-in-on-scams-fees-and-fraud","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=285","title":{"rendered":"Watchdog Nation members weigh in on scams, fees and fraud"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Let\u2019s look into The Watchdog\u2019s mailbag. Thoughts from readers\u00a0\u2014 I call them citizens of Watchdog Nation\u00a0\u2014 on recent reports.<\/p>

Read more Mother\u2019s Day in North Texas could be wet and stormy. Here\u2019s a timeline<\/a><\/p><\/div>

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Real people. Real letters. Permission to use full names was granted. They are edited for space.<\/p><\/div>

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Dear Watchdog: \u201cWe\u2019re traveling to Dallas next week and staying at a local hotel. The bill contains a line item labeled \u2018Mandatory Free $7.15.\u2019 No explanation. Nothing. I\u2019ll ask when I get there, but I am puzzled. Once again the world is picking on old people.\u201d\u00a0\u2014 John\u00a0Genung of Tyler<\/em><\/p><\/div>

The answer: John wrote back to say it\u2019s a 2% tourist fee charged by Dallas hotels. He added, \u201cI think it\u2019s a Federal Trade Commission rule that any such charges must be explained on the bill.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

Broken insurance<\/h2><\/div>

Dear Watchdog: There were several issues with our insurance provider which begged for common sense and pure decency. To say the insurance model is\u00a0broken 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.\u00a0\u2014 Rob Engels of Plano<\/em><\/p><\/div>

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Stolen gift cards<\/h2><\/div>

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\u2019m loathe to run through the grease a second time for a measly $25. I think gift cards are scary just for that reason. \u2014 GM Bowen of Denton<\/em><\/p>

Read more Two Democrats face runoff to be first new Dallas County Clerk in 20 years<\/a><\/p><\/div>

Watch the postmark<\/h2><\/div>

Dear Watchdog: I\u2019m writing to make you aware of one small red flag that is visible before you even open a suspicious envelope. It\u2019s 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 \u201cPresorted Standard Mail,\u201d 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\u2019s rare.\u00a0\u2014 Ron Heathcott of Arlington<\/em><\/p><\/div>

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Junk mail<\/h2><\/div>

Thank you for your story on the unethical\u00a0junk 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\u2019t know how people make a living preying on the elderly.\u00a0\u2014 Jim\u00a0Wetrich of Southlake<\/em><\/p><\/div>

Robocalls<\/h2><\/div>
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Catch up on the latest news and top stories from across North Texas, with updates in the morning and evening.<\/div><\/h2><\/div><\/div>