Call for Action is starting out this new year by living up to its name: getting action. A woman who had lost her job was on the hook for $1,000 after a car accident.
Janet West says she never thought she owed that much money, but couldn't get the insurance company to hear her out. Unable to get help, she turned to FOX 5's all-volunteer negotiating team.
It stated with a car accident. At the scene, she says the insurance company told her that her deductible was much lower than she thought -- only $250. But that didn't add up, according to West.
"The first person I spoke to, she didn't seem very sure of herself, so I asked to speak to a supervisor and he told me $250. He handed me off to another customer service agent and she quoted me $250 as well," said West.
She got her car in the shop, but getting it out was another matter. Apparently, her deductible was actually $1,000.
"So in order to get my car out of the shop, I had to pay the $1,000 which I didn't have because I'm unemployed," said West.
She paid, but wanted a refund. Frustrated, she called Call for Action.
"They kept saying that their recorded messages don't lie. But I knew what I had heard. And the police there heard $250, and the tow truck driver heard $250. But they continued to tell me that's not what they told me," West said.
After months of trying, one of the Call for Action volunteers finally got someone on the phone who said get either the police officer or the tow truck driver to back up her story and they'd refund her money.
"After Mary and I had worked seven months to get this cleared up, four days later they sent me check. I was tickled about that, so tickled," West said.
She was happy enough to consider jumping on board with the Call for Action team who works to solve consumer problems.
"It's got me inspired. I want to volunteer now because I want to help other people get their cases resolved," said West.
West says she had a repair shop lined up that would allow her to pay her $1,000 deductible in payments. But the insurance company insisted it was only $250, so she sent her car to their preferred shop. When the deductible was found to be $1,000, that shop, she says, wanted full payment.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:56:30 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:42:27 GMT
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:12:38 GMT
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys.
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys. The FOX 5 I-Team followed along and found the four women didn't even register to attend the conference.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:44:05 GMT
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:31 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:31:42 GMT
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
The FOX 5 I-Team found a pattern of payments and perks to one family by the local district attorney's office, and it's a pattern that has critics crying favoritism.
The FOX 5 I-Team found a pattern of payments and perks to one family by the local district attorney's office, and it's a pattern that has critics crying favoritism.
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