Tax season begins
Monday was officially tax time kickoff day for the IRS. Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura reports.
The Latest
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Fire and home insurance: Are you insured enough?
Many homeowners in Los Angeles County might soon learn an expensive lesson where they underinsured and unaware. Consumer investigator Chris Chmura explains the hardship it can create and just how easy it is to protect yourself.
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What does State Farm's renewal option mean for LA County fire victims?
Insurance provider State Farm announced it would reverse its decision to drop coverage for those impacted by the Los Angeles County Wildfires.
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What to know about insurance public adjusters
NBC Bay Area’s Responds teams is helping our sister station in Los Angeles with viewers’ fire-related issues. Along the way, they are finding timely reminders for us. Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura discusses the thorny topic of public adjusters.
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How to support Southern California wildfire victims and not scammers
Here’s how to protect your good intentions and good money from going to bad actors.
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Who qualifies for free tax filings?
Tax filing season is approaching, and some people can qualify for free filing. Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura tells us who can access the free service.
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How to get help paying power and gas bills
NBC Bay Area Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura explains how to get help paying for your power and gas bills.
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A closer look at holiday gift returns
The Monday after New Year’s Day is usually the “National Returns Day.” Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura takes a behind the scenes look of when a product is returned.
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California home insurance: Companies can submit catastrophe models to the state
California’s betting that letting companies use computer models for the first time to gauge risk will convince them to stop dropping home policies and start selling new ones.
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Those real-looking FasTrak texts? They're really a scam
Scammers are apparently not taking any time off for the holidays. They are bombarding Bay Area cellphones with a blast of bogus text messages about FasTrak.
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Health care FSA reminder
Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura explains the health care FSA or flexible spending accounts and why consumers should take a look at their balances as the year ends.
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Gift card warning to keep in mind this holiday season
Chances are high you’ll give or receive a gift card this holiday season, but be careful. Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura has a warning for you, plus help for one Peninsula viewer.
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Rockets to our rescue? New insurer uses physics to sell (not drop) home policies
Insurance is complicated, with long lawyerly contracts and jargon by the ream. To the average policyholder, it’s as complex as rocket science. And that’s exactly what a new insurance company is bringing to California’s insurance crisis: some rocket science.
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California approves new insurance changes in hopes of stabilizing the market
Friday, the state’s Department of Insurance says it got a major procedural green light to make some changes that might entice insurance companies to stop dropping people’s policies and possibly resume selling homeowners coverage.
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NBC Bay Area Responds to roadside assistance refund
NBC Bay Area Responds to a viewer whose roadside assistance left him stranded out of town. He asked Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura’s team to jump start his refund request.
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Why missing one flight can set off a costly travel domino effect
onger lines and fuller flights. Surveys show travel is up this holiday season. So you really do want to get to the airport early. And we have another reason to prepare to be punctual: a possible airline penalty.
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Holiday shopping and returns: What to know
Before you begin your spending spree this holiday season, Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura has a word of warning about returns.
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NBC Bay Area Responds: Clipper Card troubles
NBC Bay Area Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura shares some recent wins from the NBC Bay Area Responds team.
