I had surgery on my foot last week and got to spend the weekend with my leg propped up on the couch.  Fortunately, my husband had a busy weekend planned so I actually got to handle the remote control.  And still, I landed on football.  What a come back those Chargers made.  My Cornhuskers didn't do so well.

There are so many great sporting events luring fans and their money in the fall season, I just want to remind you to be on the cautious lookout if you are planning to go through a third-party source to get your tickets.  This is the time of year we hear from people who get duped trying to purchase event tickets from online brokers or auction websites.  Often, phony tickets are displayed right on the website, designed to separate you from your money.  Even more often, con artists demand that you wire the money rather than use your credit card or Paypal, where you have some recourse.

The usual playing rules apply: don't do business with someone you don't know.  Now, of course it's impossible to get to know these people personally, but you'd be surprised how much you can "get to know" them by doing a little research.  Who else has done business with them?  Were they happy with their transaction?  Are they affiliated with an organization that has conducted a third-party review of their business practices?  Don't be afraid to ask these tough questions.  If the other party gets offended in any way, don't just walk away, RUN away!

However, if you do get "stuck," don't blame yourself.  It happens to the best of us.  Please let us know and give the District Attorney's office a call.  Maybe, just maybe we can save the next guy.

I am the victim of an after-market auto warranty scam.  I decided to tell my story to San Diego on television, during our regularly-scheduled scam-of-the-week.  The issue is not resolved and the reporter asked me, "Are you worried about your credibility as an advisor?"  I wasn't.  I'm more worried that people don't come forward because they are embarrassed about becoming a victim.  Well, next time just remember that I am right there with you.

Another reporter called me after seeing the story to share his reaction.  He said, "I told my wife ... SEE ... it even happened to HER!"  I think it's happened to most of us.  Why do we feel bad when someone takes advantage of US?  Why do WE feel responsible?  Why do WE feel stupid?  Because we are responsible, smart, caring people who have learned to take care of ourselves.  And when we can't, we blame ourselves.  We feel that we've been too trusting.  So what is the remedy for that?  Not to trust anyone?  What would that world look like?  I don't think I want to live in it.

We have so many resources available to us, it is a real bummer when a seasoned con man takes advantage of us.  One took advantage of me.  I thought I looked in the right places for the information.  But the truth is, I missed something.  Sometime you are going to miss something, and then you will be the victim.  That's not because you are stupid, it's because you are human.  So when it happens, let someone know.

I filed a complaint with the BBB.  Due to the structure of the company, that complaint has been bouncing from BBB to BBB.  That wasn't a fun experience.  But when it finally landed, I cherished the phone call from the Attorney General's office in Florida.  It turns out there is a multi-state investigation on the company.  The company is volunteering to shut themselves down and pay restitution to all the nice folks that filed those BBB complaints.

Well, I'll believe it when I get my check.  After all, the company has been nothing but misleading in their relationship with me.  But I do have an ounce of hope now.  

I "fell" for a phone solicitation for an automotive after-market warranty.  I'm telling you so that you don't do it, too.  So, what's your story so you can help the rest of us?