Latest news with #Stoogenke
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
How to protect biometrics data from falling into the wrong hands
When you think of identity theft, you probably think about personal information, such as Social Security Numbers, said Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke. You must now consider biometrics, as well, including using your fingerprint to unlock your phone, your face or voice for online banking, or your palm at the doctor's office. ACTION 9: Secret Service recovers multiple skimming devices in statewide EBT fraud crackdown Some companies use your biometric information to verify your identity, which is intended to make it harder for thieves to impersonate you. The idea is to prevent identity theft. However, thieves who get their hands on your biometrics may be able to access your devices, accounts, a secure building where you work, and the list goes on, Stoogenke said. The Identity Theft Resource Center released this report recently. It says 87% of the people surveyed were asked to provide a biometric identifier in the past year and 91% agreed. However, 63% still had serious concerns about it, and only 35% trust companies to protect the data well. Consumers have questions. 'How the information is being used. How it's being stored. What else you're doing with it?' ITRC's Eva Velasquez told Stoogenke. Biometrics or not, Stephanie Fountain wants as little of her information out there as possible. She says someone stole her identity. 'I freaked out, like I started bawling my eyes out,' she said. She says she went to file taxes and found out someone already did in her name. 'My credit's been ruined,' she said. 'It's just impacting me big time.' If you're worried about sharing your biometric information, read the company's privacy policy. If you don't like what the company is gathering or how they're using it, see if you can opt out or, as a last resort, do business with someone else. A red flag: If a company contacts you out of the blue, walk away. Don't share personal information, biometric or not. If you're not sure what to do, ask a nonprofit: Identity Theft Resource Center Biometrics Institute National Cyber Security Alliance If you fall victim to ID theft
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Flooding issues? This program could help pay repairs
Homeowner Ann Meidenbauer made a red, white, and blue quilt to donate to a veteran's family. She said that quilting takes her mind off things, including the storm drain between her and her neighbor's homes. ALSO READ: Charlotte residents could see water, stormwater bill hikes starting July 1 She said that when it rains hard, water from other lots and the street dumps into the drain and floods part of her backyard. 'Looks like a river. It looks like an absolute river,' she told Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke. She thought it must be somebody's fault. Meidenbauer told Stoogenke that a state inspector said a few years ago that the backyard was 'not graded properly' and that the rock -- the rip rap -- was 'insufficiently laid out.' However, the inspector didn't blame any company. Multiple companies had a hand in the subdivision and Action 9 was told they passed their inspections. 'I love the house, and I don't want to move because of that, but it's really frustrating,' she said. 'I think about it a lot, but what are we going to do?' Stoogenke said the answer may be this, which is something you may want to know about, too: The Community Conservation Assistance Program. North Carolina runs the program, and you can get money to fix stormwater issues, Stoogenke said. The development can't be brand new, and it must be at least three years old. The state will pay as much as 75% of the tab. Homeowners and businesses can both apply here. Meidenbauer plans to apply. VIDEO: Dilworth couple says stormwater project damaged home; files lawsuit
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Newlyweds receive Amazon gift cards before groom's deployment, company says they won't honor them
A member of the U.S. Navy and his newlywed tried to use Amazon gift cards they were given as wedding gifts, but received an email saying the company wouldn't honor the cards. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Melanie Abernathy told Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke at our sister station WSOC-TV in Charlotte that her son got married and was then deployed as a member of the U.S. Navy. He and his wife asked their wedding guests for gift cards so they could buy what they needed when they settled down. 'They were very blessed with their … with what they received," Abernathy said. However, when the couple went to Amazon to use the cards, they were denied. TRENDING STORIES: Can you help? Police searching for 2 baby chick theft suspects Deputies searching for missing 15-year-old Greene County girl; can you help? Popeyes manager shot in drive-thru over burnt biscuits They received an email from Amazon saying the company wouldn't honor the cards and that the couple had violated the company's terms and conditions. The email didn't give any details as to how the couple violated any rules. Abernathy said that an Amazon representative explained by phone that the retailer thought the cards were stolen. 'They said she stole them. So, the whole thing, it was just very upsetting. Very upsetting for our little military couple. He's on one side of the world. She's just trying to get their house set up,' Abernathy said. So, Stoongenke emailed Amazon back. The company wouldn't discuss the case for privacy reasons, saying it can only share its findings directly with the customer: '[D]ue to customer privacy considerations, we can only share our findings directly with the customer, though you're welcome to reach out to them for any details they'd like to share with you. We appreciate your understanding and commitment to consumer advocacy.' Stoogenke followed up with Abernathy and she told him Amazon never did get back in touch. Stoogenke said he and Abernathy stood their ground throughout this Amazon debacle, just like an anchor. Abernathy wears an anchor necklace as a tribute to her son in the Navy. One of the wedding guests who gave the couple a gift card consulted the company's live chat feature. It worked. The couple could now use the gift cards. 'I'm happy about that, but what if the next person doesn't have a mother-in-law that says 'No, this isn't going to happen?'' Abernathy said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Couple sought refund because of Helene, says Vrbo kept refusing
Joanne Gonnerman and her boyfriend wanted to visit the North Carolina mountains last fall, mainly for the fall leaves. So they booked a place on Vrbo. But Helene hit about a week before their reservation was supposed to start. The town they were going to issued a State of Emergency. Roads closed. The North Carolina Department of Transportation 'urge[d] people to avoid travel in western [North Carolina].' 'I said, 'I don't think this is going to be realistic for us. We probably should cancel,'' Gonnerman told Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke. READ: Couple learns they still owe mortgage insurance after thinking it was paid off It was disappointing, but they thought at least they'd get their money back. After all, Vrbo has an 'Extenuating Circumstances Policy' which applies '[w]hen broad scale travel disruptions prevent or legally prohibit Vrbo travelers from completing their reservations.' But the company said no. According to emails Gonnerman shared with Action 9, the company said the storm didn't damage the host's property so they could have stayed there, but chose not to. 'National news covered Hurricane Helene and what happened to western North Carolina,' she said. 'It wasn't an unknown or just a personal request. It seemed like the country understood what had happened to our state.' They pushed back for months, but couldn't get it resolved. 'One of my other big concerns is if my partner, Dave, and I are struggling with this, how many other people are being affected?' she said. Stoogenke emailed Vrbo. Two days later, Gonnerman told him the business reversed course and promised a full refund. READ: Woman says car buyer scammed her out of money meant for son's college The company emailed Stoogenke. It still believed her booking 'did not fall under' Vrbo's refund policy, that it was at the host's discretion. After all, you can imagine how much business he lost during that time. But Vrbo also emailed, when Gonnerman spoke with customer service, the representative 'may have' given her 'conflicting information.' So the business was giving all $1,100 back as a 'courtesy.' Vrbo's full statement: Thanks again for reaching out about Ms. Gonnerman's experience. We've reviewed the situation and confirmed that her booking did not fall under Vrbo's extenuating circumstances policy that was activated during Hurricane Helene. For reservations in non-covered counties or that fall outside of the date range of policy coverage, the host's cancellation policy still applies. In these situations, Vrbo encourages the guest and host to work together to find a solution that benefits both parties, such as a refund or credit for a future stay. However, we recognize that when Ms. Gonnerman spoke to our customer service team, she may have received conflicting information. As such, we will be providing a full refund for her booking as a courtesy. This update has also been shared with Ms. Gonnerman. The takeaway here: Vrbo has an 'Extenuating Circumstances Policy.' But the company can be strict about which addresses — or dates — qualify. And, a lot of times, it lets the 'host' decide whether to give you money back, not the 'company' itself. So know that going in. WATCH: Couple learns they still owe mortgage insurance after thinking it was paid off
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman says car buyer scammed her out of money meant for son's college
Katonya Douglas says she's a single mother of five and another is going to college. She planned to sell a car she didn't need and use the money for his school. 'So, it was a lot of things that I had hopes and dreams for,' she said. 'I just feel scammed.' Action 9: Carrier says he was attacked, criticizes USPS response She says she posted it on Facebook Marketplace. 'I had several bites … (I) wish I had taken the first one,' she said. Instead, she went with another taker. She told Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke they met at a DMV and that he paid her some cash. 'So, then he sends me a Zelle for [$]2,800. And I received a message from my bank that says payment received,' she said. 'I trusted that, and I gave him my car and my keys, and my title.' She added, 'The next morning, it says 'Payment failed.'' She says he gave a few hundred dollars more, but then ghosted her. She was still out a few grand, Stoogenke said. So, she filed a police report and is trying to raise the money for her son's tuition. 'I am typically a very smart person. I think I'm just a little trusting. A little bit too trusting and everything is easy to scam nowadays,' she said. Action 9 messaged the buyer on Facebook but didn't hear back in time for this report. Stoogenke said, 'So, let's talk about both Facebook Marketplace and Zelle. Facebook Marketplace: Douglas did a lot of things right. She met in person at a safe location and tried to be cautious before handing over what she was selling. Zelle: Usually, when you transfer money, it's a done deal. In fact, a lot of scam victims have found that out the hard way when they get tricked into sending money. But the company behind Zelle says, if you're the one receiving the money through the app, always check your bank account to make sure the money is there before moving on. VIDEO: Zelle says scams can be reimbursed, but what qualifies under new policy?
