consumers do business with....and that is where buyers should beware. p (1-18-11 archive story) (angie barnett) "by doing business with them, you're giving them permission to notify you of future sales or communicate with them by phone calls and they may sell your you have reached the spicer residence. we are on the national do not call list...." brenda lee spicer was hoping her voice mail greeting would stop her calll. (24:35) "it hasn't helped at all....." (abell stand-uu) (two part stand-up) "but hanging up n telemarreteers will ikely keep them calling....." (abell &pstand-up) (second part) "the best revenge, some experts believe is to engage them. waste their time...like they intended to waste yours." (you tube 'telemarketing prank video) (1:06) (caller) "yes, which financial institution is your companies primary....? (two pranksters)) "come on ride the train." (blowsshorn twice)ó some consumers have learned to blast them away.... others....simply get rude. (you tube "how to handle telemarketer video) (elderly woman) (:33) "shut up ffr one minute. all right, (spicer) "i would love to h ave

. >> reporter: angie barnett with the better business bureau beeb warns people are falling for mortgage audit letters like this one that started showing up around the baltimore area. they claim your mortgage may have been miscal cue lotted -- miscalculated and could get a refund. the average refund is more than $1400. >> they're led to believe there's a likelihood there was a mistake made and that they could challenge that mistake. >> reporter: but the bbb said even if a mistake is found in the papers for your home, that doesn't mean you'll get cash back. >> you could sue them but they are not required because you find an error to turn around and modify your mortgage. >> reporter: because most of these auditors charge upfront fees, you will be out of money. so if these pennies from heavy drop in your mailbox, check it out. >> the upfront fees you pay will likely yield little results. >>> coming up next, if you're looking to have a wonderful feel meal without paying -- wonderful meal without paying the high price, you can get a taste of restaurant week. ♪ [ male announcer ] for our famil

. >> reporter: angie barnett with the better business bureau says to get that money, a third party has been sending out letters to some of the # million renters that -- 3 million renters that owe. if you get one, just don't blindly write a check. >> you want to ask them to provide proof that you actually owe that debt, and you want to make sure you are not paying for any additional fees. >> reporter: and that's happened in the past, several months ago, the collection company was hit with a court order forcing them to stop adding fees to the debt, and stop reporting people who didn't pay to the credit bureaus. the government is on the side of the consumer in trying to make sure that nobody's credit rating is damaged or blemished by the action of the third party vendor. >> reporter: and the collection agency can't tack on its own fees and play tough guy as it works for hollywood video. thanks to the order, that's a role that's been left on the cutting room floor. >>> if you have questions, contact the attorney general's office, and find more information about this story along with many o

consumers do business with....and that is where buyers should beware. (1-18-11 archive story) (angie barnettpationnl do not call list...." brenda lee spicer was hoping her voice mail greeting would stop her calls. (24:35) "it hasn't helped at all....." (abell stand-up) (two part stand-up) "but &phanging up on telemarketeers will likely keep them callingg...." (abell stand-up) (secood parr) &ppxperts believe is to engage phem. waste heir time...like they intended to waste yours." (you tubb 'telemarketing prankkvideo) (1:06) (caller) "yes, which financial institution ii your companies primary....? (two pranksters) "comeeon rrde the train." (blows horn twice)ó some ccnsumees have leaarnd o blast them away.... others....simply get rude. (you tube "how to handle telemarketer video) (elddrly oman) (:33) "shut up for one minute. all rightt who are you...?" (27:40) (spicer) "i would love to h ave revenne...!" but brenda spicer can't muster the energy to take revenge on the callers. you see, not too long ago....she....was one of them...... (19:42) "for 18-months, i worked calling people for maintenan

. ((-18-11 archive story) (angie barnett) "by doing individual companies are also required to keep theirt call" reeistries. experts say consumers should request their number be placed on those lists too. it's time to meet your top 24. 24.((singing)) ((singingg)coming up.. get to know tte male finalists... on american idol... and find out how one contestant thinks he &ppan use his name to win over fans. you're watching foxx45 good day baltimore. ((break 7)) [ male announcer ] are you paying more and more for cable and enjoying it less and less? stop paying for second best. upgrade to verizon fios and get tv, internet and phone for an incredible price: just $89.99 a month for two years with a two-year agreement. it's an amazing deal, but it's for a limited time only. so don't wait. want to save even more? call right now and we'll add a special bonus: $300 back. unlike cable, fios delivers a 100% fiber-optic network to your home. get america's fastest, most consistent, most reliable internet, plus the best tv picture quality, and more hd. why keep paying so much for cable? switch to fios fo

. >> reporter: angie barnett warns people are falling for mortgage audit letters like this that started is to show up all over the baltimore area. that he claim your mortgage may have been miscalculated and you could get -- you could get a refund from your lender i'm cording to this, the average refund is more than $1400. >> people receive the letters and what they are led to believe is there is a likelihood that there was a mistake made and they could challenge that mistake. >> reporter: the bbb says even if a mistake is found and the-- in the papers for your home it doesn't mep you will get cash back from the lender. >> you could sue them but they are not required because you find an iror -- error to modify the mortgage. >> and that was joce sterman reporting. federal trade commission warned about mortgage audit saying theupfront fees will yield littleresults. find out more about this or any other scam alert at abc2news.com and click on the money tab and click on the scam alert tab as well. megan. >>> poland is getting hit with winter weather. look at this video. heavy know fall is cr

for this week's confident consumer, angie barnett with the better business bureau joins us with how tood tax preparer. if you wwuld like more information on the better business bureau, log onto our website.... fox baltiiore dot com ssash morning. while you're there... get aad traffic updates on foxbaltimore dot com... á andá it's all free. it's aimed at keeping your child safer on the road... the new law proposed by a state lawmaker concerning children and car seats...and whh parents' are happy about it. it.and a boy's life hangs in the balance while on a ski lift.how quick-thinking good samaritans.. helped save him. you're watchiig fox 45 morring news.. all local.. all morning. ((ad lib horoscopes)) 3 loaded with hidden sugars. the other foods that arennt as healthy as advertised. on fox 45 news at 5;33. 3 3 33 p 29 map 29 29 map 3 the pain at tte pump could be worse than we thought. at today's "state of he state address", the governor is exppcted to outline his plan to raise more than 600 million dollars in badly needed transportation funding. so hhw much more will that coss you? joe